Entertainer Barnett Henry (Preacher) has found himself in the middle of a political controversy over some anti-PNM lyrics he penned for the Opposition UNC. Preacher, best remembered for his composition–Patrick We Stepping Up With You–which became the PNM's anthem in the 2007 general elections, has changed his tune for 2010. The Point Fortin bard, who performed his hit on the PNM platform and was in negotiations to do so again, is now singing Get Rid of the PNM.
The gravity of the situation came to a boil yesterday morning when a demo version of the song, vocalised by him, was played on Radio I95.5. The Morning Show hosts, Tony Lee and Dale Enoch, were discussing the decision of calypsonian Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) to perform Patrick Has to Go on a UNC platform. Crazy denied he was a supporter of the UNC, explaining he did it just for the money. Reached by telephone in the United States, Preacher said he was very angry.
He told the Guardian it was just an unfinished demo version, not a recording and he authorised no one to use it. He said no financial agreement was reached to buy the song or for its distribution. "The bottom line is that no business deal was made for that song. I don't know how that song reached the radio and I am speaking with my lawyers to ensure it is not played again," Preacher said. The song advocates getting rid of the PNM, pointing out that it made promises, which it did not keep, just to get their votes. It also is critical of Prime Minister Patrick Manning importing a large number of Chinese workers while equally skilled locals are out of jobs.
Preacher explained that several months ago he was approached by the UNC (he did not name the person who made the approach) to pen a song for them and that was what he did. He said: "I did a demo and sent it to them (UNC). I heard nothing again from them and there was no financial transactions following. "I thought that was the end of that until this morning when people heard it and started to react. I got calls from people telling me I was singing for the UNC to get rid of the PNM." Even though he performed on the PNM's platform, Preacher denied he was a member of that party. He said: "I am not a PNM. I not for no party. My work is singing and composing. If somebody come to me and say to compose a song for them, I will do it.
"If next year another party come and say the same thing, I will do it. That is my work." Preacher's manager Charles "Charlo" Olivier, in a telephone interview, said Preacher had no intention of vocalising the song for the UNC. He said Preacher also wrote a song for the PNM's 2010 political campaign and was expecting to be hired again to perform "We Voting PNM" on their platform this time around. He said the tune was sent back to them to be modified. Charlo said the fact the tune was played and Preacher was identified as the composer and singer could have serious implications for him as an entertainer. "This is how he lives. He has no other job," Charlo stated. "Whoever leaked that to the radio station had intentions to discredit him," Charlo charged.
