Calypsonian Michael Osouna (Sugar Aloes) is calling on the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) to allow more artistes into the Calypso Monarch finals.
Osouna made the appeal while speaking to the media after yesterday's draw for positions for the Calypso Fiesta semifinals at Skinner Park tomorrow, in which 40 contestants will compete for fill 11 spots in the finals set for Carnival Thursday.
"I believe that because of the fact that the Calypso is on its own that night with no other competitions that they can increase the number.
"Instead of getting 11 to meet one, bring in fourteen to meet one and if the singing of two calypsoes is the problem, chutney singing one for a nice prize, soca singing one for $2 million, let us sing one for our one million dollars," Osouna said.
He said in that way more calypsonians could be accommodated.
"Long before Keshorn Walcott was born, before Hasely Crawford and Wendy, calypso put T&T on the map. Small island pride, Rum and Coca Cola, Kitchener, Sparrow, you name them, calypso put T&T on the map."
Osouna said no Government in T&T had ever marketed Carnival.
"We are the ones that market Carnival, the Calypsonians, the mas men, the panmen. What we do, they can't do it."
He said despite this, Government acted as though they were doing calypsonians a favour when they gave funding.
"It's as if we are begging them for something. We are the ones that go out and market the product and when we come back the country benefits."
Calypsonians will perform one song for the semifinals of the competition on Saturday and will perform two songs for the finals of the competition.
List of performers for tomorrow's Calypso Fiesta in order of appearance.
1. Alex Gift
2. Allan Fortune
3. Kurt Allen
4. Victor McDonald (Mr Mac)
5. Devon Seales
6. Giselle Fraser Washington
7. Lesley Ann Ellis
8. Henson Wright
9. Shamika De Noon
10. Anthony Hendrickson (All Rounder)
11. Sandra Des Vignes (Singing Sandra)
12. Sean Daniels
13. Randolph Hilaire
14. Alana Sinnette
15. Kizzy Ruiz
16. Lynette Steele (Lady Gypsy)
17. Myron Bruce (Myron B)
18. Michelle Henry
19. Marion Pamponette
20. Carlos James (Skatie)
21. Marva McKenzie (Marvelous Marva)
22. Eunice Peters
23. Winston Scarborough (De Fosto)
24. Roderick Gordon (Chucky)
25. Michael Leggerton (Protector)
26. Michael Osouna (Sugar Aloes)
27. Helon Francis
28. Nicole Thomas
29. Khadijah Antoine
30.Heather McIntosh
31. Rosalind Reid
32. Karen Ecles
33. Victoria Hooper
34. Dillon Thomas
35. Terry Lyons
36. Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust)
37. Karene Asche
38. Sheldon Nugget
39. Eric Taylor (Pink Panther)
40. Marsha Charles (Lady Adana)
