He laughs, jokes around and even "pulls a note" in the musical genre of his choice from time to time. His persona prompts laughter, bringing tears to the eyes of many daily, as part of the trio who work the 3pm-6pm shift at the Boom Champions in midtown Port-of-Spain. You may think what Sunny Bling–real name, Kerron Sealy–does is all fun and games. The truth is, he's a very serious businessman. He dishes it out just the way he sees it on his prime time radio spot and his following is quite large. Bling's even got bmobile to buy into his theatrics and he works with many other sponsors, selling their brands the best way he knows how–by being himself.
As a radio personality, he admits that the job offers windows to great opportunities. Having been in the entertainment spotlight for more than seven years, he started out as a comedian in the Yangatang comedy tent, where, in his first year, he secured a spot in the World Laugh Festival held here in Trinidad. Now, four years into his four-year career as a radio personality, Sunny Bling says he understands the importance of networking and hard work.
Hard work and focus
"Anyone who works in entertainment who says it hasn't worked for them is either a liar or a lazy person," he affirms. Having been involved first in culinary arts–even interning at the Prime Minister's House after graduating from the T&T Hospitality and Tourism Institute in Chaguaramas, Sunny says he knows the value of hard work. "I can say I cooked for Manning," he laughs. "I ran a (booth at a) food court at Centre City Mall too. I also worked at Juliano's on Abercromby Street," he says, adding that there are always other options if one thing doesn't work out.
As a 24-year-old role model to the youth of T&T, Sunny knows the importance of his position. He says, "What I do is important. I know the young people listen to what comes out of my mouth but where other people sugar-coat issues that are affecting the nation, I say it as I see it." Sunny says he is disappointed in the people of this country. "Trinidadians talk and talk, but there's no action behind it."
Stand-up comedy?
His comedic act, on radio and onstage at events, doesn't take away from his ability to make good life decisions and take care of business. His goal is to one day enter the stand-up comedy arena, as a cross between Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock. In the meantime, his focus remains on promotion and marketing. These days, he's reading The Art Of War, Sun Tzu's classic book of strategy, which he says will help as he moves forward. He's the brains behind an entity called Bling & Friends, which comprises a group of people who brainstorm methods to incorporate the ordinary things they know well with strategic marketing concepts for events.
Recently, the crew hosted a bike show and its success has prompted the folks at Turbo Energy Drink to buy into a similar concept, which Sunny and his team will oversee. "In entertainment, it's never just one thing; there are so many avenues to make money. You can get into production, marketing, advertising, sales–so many things."
Not one fork
Sunny Bling says as with every other career, an entertainer must be focused and willing to work hard. "I came out of school with passes in Spanish and English only. I'm not encouraging the youths to ignore academics, but for those who haven't done well, where there's a positive will, there's a positive way!" In the radio business, he acknowledges the fact that an announcer must always sound fresh and be well informed. This Christmas, Sunny Bling jumped into the soca parang arena with a track called Not One Fork. Full of wit and that comedic energy, he's enjoying the success of the track and says he has big plans for Carnival 2010.
