If there’s one thing we all learned these last five years (or so), is that almost anyone can find others who would follow them, regardless of qualifications, experience, or the ability to do the job as defined by its job description. This is especially true in the arena known as politics, where people follow a person of their choice, but not for either of their politics. In fact, there is a known term for it; Cult Of Personality...when coupled with Evangelicalism, [it] can have deadly outcomes; the most-infamous being the Jonestown mass murder-suicides that took place in Guyana in 1978...

Anyway, it is obvious that people often follow personalities, regardless of what that personality “preaches” or requires of their followers, be it death by suicide, or insurrection on the US Capitol...Leading a cult (as the “chosen” personality), does not call for any leadership skills, because people will follow the personality’s orders without question. They will drink the Kool Aid, both figuratively-speaking and, as they did in Jonestown, literally-speaking as well. But why do they? Further, what exactly is the difference between LEADERSHIP and LEADING, anyway? Does it, and should it matter, especially to a “pannist” or steelband? Well, this week’s episode aims to answer these questions...

The self-contradictory term, “White lie”, comes to mind, as it implies an untruth of lesser intensity or impact. After all, what harm can a little fib cause? Well, maybe if it is an isolated misrepresentation of facts, then no harm, no foul, as they say. But, what if “White lies” come as a collection; as hundreds and hundreds of constant and continual barrages? Like a thousand “small cuts” against the truth? Can steelband history experience “death by a thousand cuts”, as in the Chinese torture method of Lingchi? I would argue that steelband history cannot survive this method of torture, and that no culture’s history could either.

GEORGE D. GODDARD, B.A.

When the "working class" of the twin-island country of Trinidad and Tobago depends on their National Lottery Control Board (NLCB) to eat, then, I guess it's okay for panmen and panwomen to depend on them to "eat-ah-food" too. Unless, of course, it's okras. Then, the "World Governing Body" can step and deliver the slime. Now may be a great time to ask, "How is it that the 'World Governing Body For Pan' (Pan Trinbago) finds itself being relegated to position of "sponsor" in the NLCB's Pano-Grama? Further, how is that event, as entertaining as it may be, the "World Cup Of Steelpan"? Isn't the World Cup a TEAM COMPETITION, like the PANORAMA? Maybe Pano-grama could be the "Olympic Games of Steelpan", as that event has individuals competing against each other. Understanding, that in Trinidad and Tobago, to many, gambling is not seen as a "problem", but as a source of income, like a daily paycheck. (If you win daily, of course.) Newsday says, "Some 120,000 or 130,000 people depend on the NLCB to 'provide,'" he said, saying gamblers take care of their families with their winnings." This week's podcast will "buss the mark" on poor governance in the steelbands, and look at their dependence on luck as a means to success. We close off by introducing you to my "pet project" and by revisiting my 2021 address to When Steel Talks. hope you enjoy this week's episode, and thanks for stopping by. George.  https://newsday.co.tt/2021/05/17/lotto-agents-gaming-is-essential/

A few days ago, after heeding my advice, a prominent member of the international steelband/steelpan community, updated his comments on a discussion he posted in 2012, which was republished on March 21st of this year. Simultaneously, in 2012, I also posted a discussion that dealt with the the central theme of the topic, however, at that time, we were on opposing sides of the argument. My discussion was tilted, “What If The “Gay” In Desperadoes Meant “Homosexual”. This week's episode takes a closer look at our societal and individual dichotomies. 

CORRECTION TO NEWS ITEM: The first Panorama was in 1963, and not 1966 as reported in our news section.

"In the distortion and rewriting of steelband history, nomenclature (how we go about naming things) continues to be a point of focus. Othello Mollineaux, continues (and will continue) to refer to his instrument as a STEEL DRUM! While many erroneously ascribe steel drum as a “foreign” term, it is not, and in this episode, I will explain why I say so." George D. Goddard.

CONSIDER THIS: No one tries to take the luau and repackage it for Hawaiians. Why Trinidad and Tobago? Why pan? Why can’t we call our steel instruments “drums”, like we did with our bamboo instruments when they banned us from beating skin drums? (REMEMBER: Tamboo comes from “tambour”; French for drum.) Why do we have to call our steelbands “steel orchestras”? Why do we have to call our pan sticks “mallets”? Why do I have to reject the term “beat” even if I play softly and with skill? Why do we need someone else to tell us what a “Panorama song” should be and shouldn’t be? WHO gets to decide, and why?

George "Sonny" Goddard (my dad) always reminded those he knew that, "when a donkey goes to college, it will never return as a horse, but as an 'educated jackass'". In this episode, we celebrate his life and legacy. George Sonny Goddard would have turned 93 today. We will revisit a 1982 interview that help highlight his 40-years contributions to this subculture of Trinidad and Tobago. Then, we will look at the trailer for the 2014 George "Sonny" Goddard Steelband Town Hall Meeting which was organized and hosted by a team that I assembled for the historic event. Enjoy the show!