Many say it was long overdue. Veteran musician Roy Cape, still basking in the glow of being awarded the Humming Bird Gold for loyal and devoted service in the sphere of culture, says one should not rush for such accolades.
By Sateesh Maharaj"Well, it's a good feeling to be recognised nationally," said Cape speaking from his Diego Martin home. "I think it is an honour to get national recognition. After 46 years I don't think anyone will have any complaints against me."
He continued: "As a human you may have expectations, but you can't ask for rewards. Rewards must come to you. People have a wrong perception of awards."
"I told her we can't ask for that but she thought I deserved it. She nominated me last year but nothing happened. She came back this year and nominated me."
After losing his mother to illness, Cape says he grew up in the Belmont Orphanage. On leaving there I started going to night clubs. Music always seemed to be on his mind.
Recalling the days prior to his mother's death he said: "I lived behind the bridge. I was surrounded by steel bands; whether it be Casablanca, Renegades Desperados, All Stars. All the youths around me when I was going to school... they all used to be beating pan. At the age of 11, I bought my own pan. My mother gave it away because she didn't want to see me beat pan. By the time I was 12 years I went to the orphanage."
At the institution, young Cape played pan in the first steel band they ever had there, then later to their music band.
He revealed: "In going to the music band I had lost interest in the steel pan. I played clarinet. It was more classical music. When I left I chose the alto sax because it was small like me."
Playing the alto sax, Cape said he would not trade it for anything else.
"I love my instrument," he said. "What motivates you to certain things is God. I really think it was Him who sent me to play that instrument. It is me. The sound of it... it is a loving instrument and I have to say I am a very loving person. It's a gentle instrument. I am a gentle person. There are things that happen where you choose things that suit your character."
Now in the music industry for the past 46 years, Cape said he could not have envisioned being as successful or has popular as he has become over the years.
"This is something that you can't say you plan," he said. "As you make steps you can only see a little way in front of where you are going. It's not like you can see where you are going (to end up). This is a people's thing. Popularity comes from people responding to you and appreciating what you are doing. When the opportunities come you just embrace them. It took me 46 years to get to President's House."
Cape is most appreciative of those who have helped him over the years and feels honoured to be in the company of the young greats of today.
Thanks went out to Carlysle "Juiceman" Roberts, musical director of the band and past and present members of the band for giving me support that led me to a national medal.
He said: "I always found myself playing with the best musicians. I always played with the best bands of the time. I have learned a lot from my peers and musicians greater than I am. My success happened on the road. I never knew I would be a band leader but the situation arose.
"The guys I am working with now are much younger than me. This is the young people's time. At my age I am there with Machel, Maximus Dan, Shurwayne Winchester and Destra. I am privileged and honoured to be still around and around young people. They treat me as a father and they give me big respect."
The 62-year-old musician says he intends to go on as long as he is able to, since there are no post employment benefits in this business.
"As the tax man tells me," he laughed, "I can't retire. There is no pension in this (industry). A musician is going to work until he can no more."
