Soca superstar Machel Montano secured more than ten times the amount of airplay of his nearest rival on the streets with his song, "Jumbie", to win the 2007 National Road March title.
It is the third time Montano, 33, has won the title.He first won the title in 1997 for his smash hit "Big Truck". Last year, his collaboration with Patrice Roberts on the song "Band of the Year" earned him another title.
Montano's mother, Liz, said yesterday that her son's success was "the culmination of a lot of hard work by both Machel and Kernal Roberts".
Roberts, who is the son of the late legend Lord Kitchener, co-wrote "Jumbie". He also penned three of the top four winning songs in the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation Road March 2007 results.
"They would be in studio and leave to go on performances (only) to return into the studio. There were many sleepless nights. Credit should also be given to Junior Ibo Joseph who is the producer of the track," said Liz Montano.
Montano joked in a telephone interview with the Express that Roberts wanted to compose at least 11 Road March songs since, his father had won ten Road March titles.
Roberts penned three of the top four winning songs in TUCO's 2007 Road March results, including "Sugar Boy" and "Light up the Air", which were performed by Patrice Roberts and Patrice Roberts and Machel Montano respectively.
Montano's song was played a total of 388 times at the four judging points, with Shurwayne Winchester's "Open the Gate", which was played 34 times, well behind in second.
1. Machel Montano-"Jumbie" - 388 points
2. Shurwayne Winchester - "Open The Gate" - 34
3. Patrice Roberts - "Sugar Boy" - 33
4. Patrice Roberts and Machel Montano - "Light Up The Air" - 22
5. Edwin Ayoung (Crazy) - "Cold Sweat" -17
