RUDOLPH “Sweet Kendingo” Kendall is on a mission for the festive season, as he has embarked on a countrywide campaign to spread cheer to the geriatric homes.Armed with his acoustic guitar, Kendall has already been at several geriatric homes, and on Thursday he was at the Dharm Shala at King Edward Street in Albouystown, Georgetown. There, he belted out several songs that were in keeping with the spirit of Christmas at the annual children’s party.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Kendall said he journeys to his home place in Berbice and would return even if it is the very next day he has to perform in the city.

His hype is all about his new song titled “We couldn’t spend Christmas together”, which would be launched in time for the holidays.

The idea of the song, he said, was born when he was at a concert for the elderly, where he received word that the woman who had arranged the event was killed in an accident. Kendall said he wrote that song after consulting with family members of the former Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson, who was killed in an accident at the corner of New Garden and North Road on December 24, 2013.

The musician added that the song is especially dedicated to the late Ms. Thompson since she had been a very kind person to all. He said that after meeting her last year, he knew he had to do something in her memory.

Kendall said he would be launching two new songs next year. They are titled “We just got married”, which has already been recorded, and “Guyana”.

He has been beating drums and singing for as long as he can remember, and he said it is a gift that has enriched his life as he seeks to bring joy to people through songs.

In October, which is deemed the Month of the Elderly, Kendall made his way around the various geriatric homes to entertain the aged folks.
The three-time Calypso Monarch has planned on providing performances to all the homes as the season progresses, and has been doing so for the past few weeks.
‘Sweet Kendingo’ is a winner in the Guyana Soca Monarch competition in 2000, and he has even taken his talents to the international stage, as he is the only Guyanese to have competed in both the World Calypso Monarch and World Soca Monarch competitions. (Michel Outridge)