After thirty years of watching him grow into an international superstar, Elizabeth Montano has kept every single article on her famous son, Machel Montano.
Lizabeth Montano and first newspaper article on son Machel. - Nicole Drayton
In a recent article in the Trinidad Guardian, Lady Montano stated, “I have everything…I kept it all because I knew from the beginning that he was going somewhere. The mere idea that he was so bright, and that he always knew what he wanted.”
The proud momager (mother/manager) spoke on archiving 30 years worth of photos, newspaper articles, video footage and costumes.
“I look at it as important for our culture. You cannot have all this information and not pass it on and not share with the younger generation. My husband and I were not trained in artiste management, but we were well-read. We would read about people like Michael Jackson as well as entertainment museums. We learned about archiving and documentation and how important this stuff is. We did our first scrap book in 1982 and now we have over 300 volumes. Then we got a server, where we keep all our live footage and video and all the scrap books, we send them to be scanned and then they are uploaded.” It is Montano’s dream to put all that she collected to good use.”
“I look at the importance of documenting history and leaving something behind so that people can learn from. From very early people have studied Machel and they always come here for stuff, and I know exactly where to find it. I’ve learned the importance from my reading and seeing the Smithsonian and the Bob Marley museum and I said to myself, but we have all these things from very early. From Machel’s first bed, his books, his report cards. Every little item is important.”
On her desire to open a Machel museum:
“Over the years, many have approached Montano for information. There are a lot of people who are doing their thesis and are writing on Machel or soca and they come to me. They analyse how Machel exports his talent and the culture of T&T. People come from abroad to research him and this is why I believe we need this research center.”
“We could use Machel as a spring board to set it up, as I already have so much information but it should embody the entire calypso and soca industry. I do not how many other artistes have done this and whether the older ones can catch up but for the younger ones, we can start to teach them the importance or archiving and documenting their history and travels.” Read the full story HERE.
Machel Montano will be headlining on Foreign Bass’ Caribbean Beach Fest – “Machel On D’ Beach” at the Jones Beach Nokia Theater on July 8th. Get more information HERE.
For tickets visit ticketmaster.com, livenation.com, JayBlessed.com, caribbeanbeachfest.com, the Jones Beach Box Office, email info @caribbeanbeaachfest.com or call 917 -930 2823, 914 536 5600 or 917-829- 7922.
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May 22, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Oh gosh, gotta lose 10 pounds. LOL