A FEW Fridays ago, I went to the Midtown Chariot on Robb Street to unwind from the week’s hustle, bustle and grind of my vocation. On stage were Bunny Alves and Charmaine Blackman entertaining the patrons. To say I enjoyed the evening can be considered an understatement for these two entertainers are much more than the regulars — they represent a progressive Guyana in their dogged determination.

Bunny is not only Charmaine’s manager, but he also entertains and produces. He is providing opportunities to a new generation of artistes and observation of the quality of music and videography of the work he produces says Guyana has talent. Charmaine, in her own right, is also a force to be reckoned with in the field, having consistently maintained her presence over the years and is still going strong, if not stronger.

To watch these two patriots soldier on, committed to the country and believe that it’s worth the while remaining here and plying their trade is commendable, given that support from quarters such as the government has not been forthcoming . They are making, producing and selling their work with the singleness of determination, i.e. love for what they are doing.

Both artistes gave the patrons a taste of their and others’ music. During the intermission, patrons had the honour to watch on the television monitors the work they have produced for others and themselves, some of which they did not sing. What struck me is the freshness of rhythm they brought to our national anthem and songs. At first, the lyrics sounded familiar, but I did not get the tempo.

Then it dawned on me that Charmaine and Bunny are musicians who are conscious of the times in which they are living and are applying versatility to their craft in helping to keep these songs alive and relevant.  The beat was evidently modern which would be captivating to a younger audience who were not of the era when the original tempos were applied to these lyrics. For the older generation with an open mind, or those young at heart, the fresh effort can be appreciated.

It is said the only thing constant is change and the failure in acknowledging change is to risk extinction. As the religious community is finding it necessary to adopt new approaches to attract and maintain a younger generation while it has not abandoned the fundamental of its principles, it too is realising that contemporary forms such as tempo and lyrics are important for its survival. What Charmaine and Bunny are doing with our national songs can be likened to similar thinking and approaches.

For a while this society has not had the benefit of national pride with our songs being played frequently on the airwaves, at national events, and even in schools. Where generations have been deprived fertile opportunities in cultivating patriotism, which is necessary for forging national pride, protecting  sovereignty,  defending territorial integrity and building a nation, we cannot be surprised at the pervasive disconnect and discontent we see in the society today.

In the absence of understanding and appreciating the reasons for your existence, the struggles of our forebears that have brought us thus far, and what is required of us to improve on their efforts and leave a better world for future generations, our feet are standing on quicksand, not firm foundation. The lyrics of our national songs embody the accounts of our struggles, hopes, dreams and aspirations which represent our history, should guide our present, and shape our future. These have to be passed on from generation to generation, in order for our civilisation to survive. Only when we understand the stories behind these songs can we find the true meaning of our existence and our responsibility to society and future generations.

Charmaine and Bunny are on to something phenomenal the politicians have missed or ignored. These two, without any government policy or programme to cultivate patriotic awareness, are helping to do so for generations that have been left in the wilderness for too long. Outside of the role they have taken on, the commodification of their talents can soar beyond our boundaries and the support of Guyanese, at home and abroad.

At home, the Ministry of Education can move to acquire these songs for distribution to schools throughout the country. The Prime Minister’s office that has responsibility for information can have them played on the local airwaves. Both applications must seek to respect universal copyright principles and practices. Let the contemporary and classic tempos be heard and enjoyed across generations, and the stories within be told and acted on.

Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARICOM and The Dominican Republic have signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union. This agreement makes provision for artistes to enter into the European market under stipulated preferential conditions. Government must find it useful in creating the appropriate linkages to make it possible for Charmaine, Bunny, and all local artistes so desirous.