panicleusa

[panicleusa]

LISTEN! YOU HEAR?

The link below, redirects to one of my earlier Facebook notes. People tend to “hear”, and wait for “soundbites”, or the chance to “butt in” and intercept your conversation before listening to the entirety of your points. Many can’t wait for you to finish speaking, and when they “respond”, their input often has nothing to do with the point that you were attempting to make, and everything to do…

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A Platinum Jubilee Lookback Moment: When Two Queens Met - Elizabeth II Meets My Queen Mother

On this historic day, I share with you my "Queen Story". Short and sweet.

As I watch the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, I thought I should share a photo of the “Queen Mother” being introduced to my mom and dad during her visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 1966. I vaguely recall the event, being a preschooler at the time. The framed original, however, was one of those that hung on our living room walls, in it black-and-white beauty. I know my dad,…

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My Book Of Proverbs: The Hook Line.

My Book Of Proverbs: The Hook Line.

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Painting A Few Words With A Picture.

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Women In Pan: The Unsung Sheroes - Mona Goddard.

Women In Pan: The Unsung Sheroes – Mona Goddard.

Mona in her early twenties. It is absolutely fitting that Women’s History Month would culminate (climax) on my mom’s “Earth Arrival Day”. As the wife of steelband’s most iconic union leader, she may never have played pan or even cared about playing pan, but she made it possible for my dad to make history! George “Sonny” Goddard was because of her. Without her, our subculture and “national…

[panicleusa]

Spoiler Alert! We All Know How The Story's Going To End.

Spoiler Alert!!!

Okay. Sometimes, art truly imitates life. As we witness despotism by leadership in governments across the globe, I recall that famous cliche. Then I think of all the “leaders” in the history of the Steelband Movement. (I use “movement” in its sociopolitical connotations.) I recall leaders of not only the bands themselves, but also the leaders of their organization. For those who may not know,…

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The "VAD System" and How To "Free Fall" To Success.

The “VAD System” and How To “Free Fall” To Success.

The “VAD System” and How To “Free Fall” To Success. Many years ago, one of my neighbors (Clifford) fell from five stories/floors up from the building in which my family and I lived. In trying to help an elderly tenant who locked herself out of her apartment, he tried gaining entry through the patio door, by having someone lower him from the floor above, using a garden hose that snapped in…

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Fly Like An Eagle!

Fly Like An Eagle!

Most, if not all, would agree that “we are the company we keep”. Those we associate with, become a part of our “environment”. Although we inherit our DNA from our (biological) parents, the people we hang around with, also contribute to our nurturing. As aspiring entrepreneurs, we must become willing to avoid and/or disassociate from those who are not “like-minded”. Thomas “Tom” Corley, in CNBC’s…

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The Story Of "The Gorilla In The Cage".

The Story Of “The Gorilla In The Cage”.

Every morning on his way to work, a man had to walk pass the local zoo, where he kept observing that there was a gorilla in a cage that was always crying. After a few weeks and with a few minutes to spare, he decided to stop and ask the zookeeper, “Excuse me; but why is that gorilla in the cage always crying?” The zookeeper replied, “Oh, that’s because he’s got a thorn [picker] stuck in his…

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Monday's Motivation...

Monday’s Motivation…

REMEMBER: Without extreme pressure and numerous cuts, a diamond would have remained a piece of coal. Be that forever diamond!!! Sometimes, we tend to ignore the value of tough life lessons. Naturally, we expect everything to turn out the way we would like. But, life is not as generous in granting wishes based on our own deadlines. Success, does not expose itself, until a process of passing…

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Black History Month: Pan-Africanism and the Connecting of the Steel Drum/Steelpan to Black History

Black History Month: Pan-Africanism and the Connecting of the Steel Drum/Steelpan to Black History

Most people with a basic knowledge of the history of the steel drum/steelpan/pan, have no difficulty in connecting the percussive instrument to its Trinidad origins. However, few are able to make the connection between the instrument and “Black History”. Arguably, not many are aware of steelpan’s Western African (Yoruba) roots. In celebration and honor of Black History Month 2021, Panicle USA…

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Abigail's Thanksgiving: George Goddard Unplugged

Abigail’s Thanksgiving: George Goddard Unplugged

This weekend, I helped a friend celebrate the upcoming birth of his first daughter. This is a link to the YouTube video of clips from “Abigail’s Thanksgiving”. Enjoy…

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Check out my podcast, Panning The Globe™, on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/pan-in-the-globe

[panicleusa]

Happy Birthday George "Sonny" Goddard!!!

Happy Birthday George “Sonny” Goddard!!!

I just published the first episode of my new podcast! Listen to Panning The Globe™ on Anchor https://anchor.fm/pan-in-the-globe/episodes/Celebrating-The-Life-and-Legacy-Of-George-Sonny-Goddard-Godfather-Of-The-Steelband-Movement-evkccp

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Women In Pan: The Unsung Sheroes - MONA GODDARD.

Women In Pan: The Unsung Sheroes – MONA GODDARD.

Mona in her early twenties. It is absolutely fitting that Women’s History Month would culminate (climax) on my mom’s “Earth Arrival Day”. As the wife of steelband’s most iconic union leader, she may never have played pan or even cared about playing pan, but she made it possible for my dad to make history! George “Sonny” Goddard was because of her. Without her, our subculture and “national…

[panicleusa]

Women In Pan: Sandra L. Blood - A Pioneer "Woman On De Bass"! by George D. Goddard

Women In Pan: Sandra L. Blood – A Pioneer “Woman On De Bass”! by George D. Goddard

As we come to the end of my birth month, March Madness college basketball and (last but not least) Women’s History Month, I would like to highlight the first female bass pan player that I ever saw “up close”, Ms. Sandra L. Blood. Sandra also happens to be my first cousin, Pelham Goddard’s cousin, and (journalist) Peter Blood’s sister, so I may have some bias admittedly. I really cannot remember…

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When Funky Gets Blue (G. Goddard)

When Funky Gets Blue (G. Goddard)

Written, composed, recorded and mastered by Goddard, as he applies the steelpan (steel drum) sound in a variety of ways.