ALL ROUNDER’S historical career started at ten to ten on the 6th of January 1967 when he performed one of his many hits entitled “My Littler Brother Charlie” composed by his wife, who I must mention decided that his calypso sobriquet be “ALL ROUNDER” for the mere reason that he could have been seen and heard “ALL AROUND”.  All Rounder, real name, Anthony Hendrickson was born on October 17, 1939.

On the 17th April 1960 ALL ROUNDER got married to Wilma Ragbir Hendrickson whom he had met earlier in 1956, the same year that Sparrow won The Calypso King Competition and Dr. Eric Williams (deceased) was the Political Leader of the (P.N.M.). Up to this present day, ALL ROUNDER still boasts that 1956 was the most blessed and luckiest year for him, since he met his wife then whilst singing in a Baptist Church! And this can certainly be endorsed, for his wife turned out to be the prolific writer that she is as well as member of C.O.T.T., as well as his second daughter Shirlane who now writes for him as well, also a member of C.O.T.T. Based on his amateur track record he auditioned at the Carnival Development Committee or C.D.C Tent.

ALL ROUNDER proudly recalls that in 1967 the same afternoon, whilst liming and singing, as usual in one of the more popular Barber Shops in the city at the corner of Queen & George Streets, he extempoed a verse, on the Road March king of the world Mr. Aldwyn Roberts “Kitchener” who in turn asked him if he wanted to sing calypso an offered him a job as a calypsonian in his Calypso Revue Tent.

There was no stopping All Rounder, going from strength to strength with hits most of them unrecorded though, but so powerful as to remain indelibly on one’s mind; such as: ‘JOYCE TAXI”, “THE ART OF KITE FLYING”, “JOHN WEY YUH APETITIE GONE” & “TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING”. ALL ROUNDER was a Resident Performer at the Revue Tent for IX consecutive seasons and after gaining some valuable experiences as a calypsonian, he opted to make a change! In 1973, he performed at Veterans Calypso Tent and was selected for the first time in his career as a Semi-Finalist at the National Calypso Competition. He then went on to win the 1973 Buy Local Calypso Competition! In 1974, he performed at the C.D.C. Calypso theatre, which was managed by the Government of T & T as well as the Calypsonians Association of T & T. From 1976-1978, three seasons, he performed at the Original Young Brigade handed by the Mighty Sparrow, singing hits such as “AND DEN”, “INDIAN FEMALE CRICKETERS", “BLACKS ABILITY” etc.. In 19676 He won the North Calypso Competition. In 1978 The Consumer and Co-operative competitions. In 1979, he shifted to the calypso tent headed by Calypso Rose and managed by Mr. Sylvester Taylor (now deceased). This tent’s venue was at Queen Hall, St. Ann’s History was created then, for both he and his daughter (LADY WONDER) were selected as semi-finalists for the National Calypso Competition! Held in Skinner Park San Fernando.

In 1980, he returned to the Calypso Theatre and remained there for ten seasons heading the cast i.e. up until 1989. During this time he won the Calypso King of the world competition held in St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1983/1984 respectively Sing Masterpieces such as “BLACKS ABILITY” “MESSAGE TO PARENTS” “THE TALKING BABY” & “WHO STRONGER”, he continued to climb the ladder of success as he was chosen for he first time in 1984 as a finalist in the National Calypso Competition. Singing “The talking baby" and “KEEP FIT” he placed fourth in this prestigious event!

It is only human to note, that during his ten seasons at the calypso theatre, known as the tent for budding calypsonians, “ALL ROUNDER” was one of the few senior calypsonians who personally took time off to help nurture and promote some of the younger ones!

It must also be noted that ALL ROUNDER is a widely traveled calypsonian, for he has performed in almost every Caribbean island, U.S. Virgin Island, North America & Europe. In 1985, He was one of 72 calypsonians chosen to perform/sing on the record, “Calypso for Africa,” The proceeds from the sales generated went to starving children of Africa. In 1989, ALL ROUNDER sang his popular recorded tune entitled “INNOCENT JIMMY” at the National Monarch Calypso for 1989, awarded by C.O.T.T., NAFEITA Awards Function. This particular calypso was nominated in six categories at this function! Awards were also given to the composers, his wife Wilma and daughter Shirlane!

For the new decade, that of the 90’s, ALL ROUNDER has made, yet another garlor change; encourage other big guns to perform at new Mecca calypso tent managed by Mr. William Munroe for 1990 season. Again he was selected as a semi-finalist for the National Monarch Competitions with his two selections “HOW COME” social commentary and “LOVE YOUR OWN FIRST” both tunes composed by his daughter Shirlane!! And also creating history ALL ROUNDER, teamed up with daughter LADY WONDER to produce an album entitled “A FAMILY CONCERN” which has on side A, three tunes sung by LADY WONDER, all composed by Shirlane, and Side B, three tunes sung by ALL ROUNDER, composed by Shirlane & Wilma! What a unique album, one that was distributed by Strakers Record World, Brooklyn U.S.A. St. Vincent West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago.

As the 1990 Trinbago Carnival season was over ALL ROUNDER and his two daughters began their yearly duties, as they prepared for tours which included, The Caribbean: U.S. Virgin Islands, America and Europe! And what a pleasure it was for them just to be out there……… introduce calypso and soca……… their culture… across the globe and beyond!!

Through the years he has performed at various tents namely:

1967-72 Calypso Revue

1973 Veterans Calypso Theatre 

1974-1975 C.D.C. Calypso Theatre 

76-78 Sparrows Young Brigade 

1979 Original Young Brigade 

1980-1989 The Calypso Theatre 

1990 The Mecca 

1991-1993 N.C.C. Tent 

1994-1996 Kitchener’s Revue 

1997-2001 Kaiso House

While at Kaiso House, “ALL ROUNDER” was honored by a unique club, “ANY HOWERS” 38 years in existence, for his contribution to Kaiso. The President is Mr. Rudolph Ottley, Vice President Mr. Cecil Tomkin. Their Motto is FUN LAUGHTER AND TOGETHERNESS. They support al cultural and sporting activities in Trinidad and Tobago. They can be contacted at 1-868-753-3329.

Prior to that, ALL ROUNDER AND FAMILY were honored by Mr. Herman The Managing Director of Everybody’s Magazine at the Avery Fisher Hall Lincoln Centre Manhattan with artiste like:

1. The Mighty Sparrow

2. Third World Reggae Band 

3. Marcia Griffith ‘QUEEN OF REGGAE OF THE GIRLZTOEN BAND’ 

4. Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica 

5. Patrick Ewing Captain of New York Knicker Bockers 

6. General Colin Powell, distinguished American 

7. Peter Minshall Local Mas Designer 

8. Derek Walcott Nobel Laureate 

9. The Guinness Import Co. 

10. A T&T 

11. Hon. Gordon Butch Stewart Chairman of Sandals Resorts, ATL and Air Jamaica 

12. Oliver Samuels Comedian if Jamaica 

13. Mr. Williams Thompson President New York City Board of Education 

14. Dr. Kenrick Lewis, Scientist 

15. Hon. Billie Millie Deputy 

16. Prime Minister of Barbados 

From 2002 ALL ROUNDER AND FAMILY moved to another TUCO operated Tent namely Klassic Ruso where the night fell like overripe mangoes was chosen as a finalist in the Political Calypso Category in Skinner Park San Fernando. He was also a semi finalist in the calypso kings category held at Hotel Normande in St. Anns. ALL ROUNDER successfully performed from October to December 2002 a Soca Parang entitled YUH LIE produced by his daughters Shirlane & Lady Wonder.

For 2003 he performed a social commentary entitled Ah loss Right Round A Calypso done in the Cypher vain, or a Calypso in Honor of the Football Champions of the World Brazil or a double entendre called MY MAN DOH USE DAT A humorous ditty called Kidnap or not. For 2007 the Kaisoes are C.T.T. (Calypsonians Tongue Tie) and Bull Bull Vex. ALL ROUNDER Eats, Sleeps, Drinks, Breaths, Composes and Extempos Calypso and no doubt will be a force to be reckoned with in Klassic Ruso for 2007. All Rounder was National Semi Finalist for 2007. He was a finalist in the Humorous Calypso Category Competition 2007 and he is the National Veteran Calypso Monarch for 2007, His CD is called Bull Bull Vex 2k7. For 2008, He is a National Semi Finalist for 2008, His CD is called “What Trinbago Needs,” and Hold on Allrounder Hold on.”