I hope you remember me, Gail Bindl ey-Taylor?? I don’t know if you will ever see this but it was such a thrill for me to read this article which I just happened upon in trying to find a colleague on line. It brought back so many memories of both TTT and Radio Trinidad. I did not even know that Winston had passed away. Sorry to hear that. How are your children. They must have their own families by now.

I hope all is well and that you are still writing wherever you are. I will always remember your charming smile, your elegance and your grace. If you do see this and can be back in touch with me please email me at Sainte@un.org.

What a great article! This brings back so many memories for me. I lived in Trinidad for several years up until I was about to turn twenty. I had migrated to Trinidad in 1959 with and attended school there. I was part of the “Canaries”, on of the three member singing group that appeared on the first segment of Scouting for Talent with Holly Bataudier. What an experience that was. The competition spanned eight weeks and we were the winners of the first round. We sang “Via Con Dios” popularized by the Drighters; the come the final round of eight winners, we faced off for the finals in the grand finale. We sang “Little Jimmy Brown” by The Bells. We won! What a joyful experience that night. I had convinced the other boys that we could do this and we practiced and practiced and it paid off. Those were of course the pioneering days of television in Trinidad, and the TTT logo. That night my mother wanted to drive from Malick to pick us up, but we had no choice but to first visit lower Barataria and perform in the street in the middle of the night for all the fellas and folks on the street where Lloyd Dillon, the group leader lived, and Clayton the guitar player who also lived nearby. Needless to say, we didn’t get one million dollars in prize money then. The prizes were a watch; a fridge and a trip for to Crown Point Hotel in Tobago. The press the day after wondered how the prizes would be distributed by us and if this would bring division among us (smile). We solved the problem by giving Lloyd the watch (he wanted and needed it) and Clayton took the fridge, I took the trip. I offered it to my parents but they sent me and my cousins instead. I negotiated a trip for three instead of for two! What a bargain back then. Holly Bataudier was way ahead of his time compared to American Idol, just a different time and different opportunities. We sang and danced on Hazel Ward’s “Teen Dance Party” and loved it. There are so many fond memories of Trinidad, and living in Toronto for the last forty years, and although Jamaican by birth, I spent my formative years in Trinidad and it’s a part of me. It is sad to see TTT and the Pioneers disbanded. Those were fond times that still bring back memories to be cherished always. My hat goes off to you and all the crew back then; the “Trilblazers”. You may check out my debut CD below. All the best to you and everyone.

Best Regards,
Pat Reid
http://cdbaby.com/cd/patreid

http://www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecompatreidgospelsinger

One had to dress professionally, speak correctly, have a professional attitude, and generally be and act like a civilized, educated person with some morals.

but now its anything and anyone goes. just listen to radio now and then rinse your ears with Ceremol. Look at television now and rinse your eyes with aloe. I wonder how people like Alison Hennessey, Hazel Ward Redman, Holly Betaudier, and Dave Elcock feel? We are living in the Postmodern age where the philosophy is basically every person to himself and “himself” is a god.

I shudder to think what T&T would be like in 2020. But then, I am a Remedial Reading Instructor of Government Secondary Schools I literally struggle professionally & risk my personal safety in teaching the anti-academically dysfunctional teens of schools today. So subconsciously i know what 2020 would be like: A Living Nightmare!

As a solitary, emotionally internalized child, I was addicted to television, my books, my Raleigh Chopper bicycle, my backyard that my late grandfather maintained with fruit trees. I grew up in Diego Martin on Duvall Lands. I had hobbies: making my own toys and doing the projects from the Ladybird craft series. My parents subscribed to the Reader’s Digest magazine and i loved it. I read Enid Blyton books like an addict. I loved going to Hilo to buy another edition of it every week for TT$5.00 (now its TT$25-35, unbelievable!).

Yes, I really wish we can “Bring Back the Ol’ Time Days” (Nappy Myers). Today’s children need the TTT antidote. Today’s media people need the TTT training ever so badly! i cringe whenever i channel surf the local radio and television offerings. We have lost our way: every media person to his/her own way. God help us!

I hope this message finds you well! My name is Corina Chevalier and I am the daughter of your an old coworker and friend of yours, Errol Chevalier. I came across this site and was able to connect you with my father. Anyhow, if for any reason you are unable to connect with my dad in the future, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me so that I can direct you to him. My dad was very pleased that he was able to connect with you. My email address is corinachevalier@hotmail.com. Thank you and best wishes!
Corina

It was a pleasure for me to work with you; always a fun person to be around and those fishing trips!

You did exceptionally well as one who had no previous exposure to tv before becoming a part of the ttt team. Well Done.