A Salute To The MerryMen

The Coscap Foundation proudly salutes the MerryMen – Emile Straker, Robin Hunte,
Chris Gibbs, Willie Kerr and Peter Roett - with the first Coscap Foundation Award of
Excellence for their long-standing contribution to music and culture locally and
internationally and their example of showing how to make your music into a
successful business by creating their own brand through unique image and sound,
publishing, licensing and owning their own masters, studio and label. Barbados is
woven through all of their music and they have been songwriters and recording
artists for almost 50 years which makes them the longest performing band from
Barbados.

The MerryMen performing at Speightstown in 2006.

Other achievements include:
. most successful Barbadian songwriters
. most successful Barbadian Band internationally with #1 hits and performances
around the world
. only Barbadian band to perform at Madison Square Garden, the Superbowl (to a TV
audience of over 350 million!), Carnegie Hall, the O’Keefe Centre, Massey Hall and
Royal Opera House in London
. they do a tremendous amount of charity shows and work in schools
. over 90% of their work is original
. produced by George Martin of the Beatles
. produced over 35 albums
. have their own label MerryDisc
. their music is featured in many motion pictures
After almost 50 years they are still going strong, performing live regularly and
continuing to record. Their longevity, consistency, and stellar achievements are an
outstanding example to the up and coming young musicians. We’re proud to salute
the MerryMen!