Never one to disappoint, one of Trinidad’s richest musical minds, All-Rounder, is preparing for a bumper season in 2010. Set to take the stage at the Klassic Russo tent, at City Hall in Port-of-Spain from January 15, the legendary calypsonian, known for his niche—humorous kaiso, says he’s changed his name. “From now on, call me Dive.” His track, Dive, has already proven to be a frontrunner among calypsoes for next year and this he says, is because of the work done by the rest of his family, The Hendrickson team. The track was written collaboratively by the kaisonian and his wife Wilma, who he fondly refers to as Mama. All Rounder—real name, Anthony Hendrickson—began his career in January, 1967, with a track entitled My little Brother Charlie. Over the years, he’s given the masses a bellyful of laughs with tracks like Talking Baby and Jimmy Swaggart.

As Dive soaks in across the country, All-Rounder said people keep walking up to him with smiles of joy for what he’s given them. The idea, he explained, came from the triumphs of George Bovell III. With this in mind, the story was formed in his head and to bring out the humour, he ensured that his diving instructor was female. All-Rounder has another big track that he said would do some damage next Carnival. Doh Treat Meh So would be unleashed as the season progresses and, according to the artiste himself, “de people better look out for de youth man.” The Klassic Russo tent would feature All-Rounder’s daughters Lady Wonder and Sherlaine, Contender, Versatile, Lady, and an artiste known as Adams, among others. On another note, the Port-of-Spain resident reflected on where kaiso has reached, saying that calypsonians had gotten lazy over the years.

He recalled the work of The Mighty Spoiler, saying that his work was appreciated because his lyrics were ahead of their time. He said artistes, including soca entertainers, must be able to write and have an input in what’s written for them. “Don’t depend on people to write for you all your life.” He said the music has gotten watered down in recent years, as there aren’t many composers around anymore. “There’s plenty bam-bam in music, almost the same thing over and over,” said the man who was guided by the likes of The Growling Tiger, Lord Kitchener and Sparrow. He’s now calling on soca artistes to put more lyrics into their music. In the meantime, though, he guides those under his wing at the tent and assures that he’ll always do his part to steer the industry on the right path.