Amphitheatre at National Botanical Gardens to be named in honour of Richard Stoute

Renowned Barbadian entertainer Richard Stoute

If the debt owed to him by those who have followed him into the entertainment industry over the past half-century is anything to go by, then there is no other entertainer to whom the country owes more than Richard “Dick” Stoute.

His unmatched contribution to the entertainment life of Barbados — particularly since Independence — requires that his name, his legacy, and his never-daunted approach, ought to be immortalised in a place where every Barbadian will forever see displayed the qualities inherent in the label “Bajan”.

It is therefore my absolute pleasure to announce today, that the Cabinet of Barbados agreed to name the amphitheatre at the National Botanical Gardens at Waterford in honour of this truly outstanding Barbadian, Richard Stoute. And if I may borrow from one of his most popular songs, the Best Part of My Day today, it is knowing that we are announcing  this while he is yet alive and able to savour the recognition. Indeed, yesterday when I visited him and asked  his permission for us to confer this lasting memorial to his extraordinary contribution to Bajan young people, he was truly touched and readily agreed.

Richard, the product of a family of singers, has enjoyed an entertainment career that dates back to the 1960s but is perhaps best known today for his Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition — a staple of local entertainment for 47 years and an incubator for more Barbadian talent than most Bajans can itemise.

And while the time this annual feature has endured is in itself worthy of recognition, Richard and his Teen Talent Competition have to be honoured for another reason: The only other competition in Barbadian entertainment history that has survived this long has been the annual Crop-Over calypso showdown. Put another way, almost single-handedly, this Barbadian from unquestionably humble origins, has held his own when compared with the might of the State.

Without doubt, the nation has been the greatest beneficiary, for as a result of his forethought, perseverance and faith in Bajan talent, we have shared with the world the likes of John King, Allison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood, Terencia Coward, Adrian Clarke, Tamara Marshall and scores more. We cannot speak of the vibrance of entertainment in Barbados today without recognising the path Richard paved.

While Richard has been the consummate promoter of the local Spouge beat, with a voice that has been associated with some of the most popular and authentically Bajan songs since the 1970s, including “Goodbye Now My Bajan Girl”, “What’s The Use”, “Pretty Blues Eyes”, “Best Part Of My Day”, “Vehicle” and “Pity The Fool”, his foray into entertainment began in 1961 when he entered the local calypso competition and placed third.

He was a founding member of the Opels and sang with the Blue Rhythm Combo, among others. Over the years he won the Carl Winston Award for Production of Teen Talent, 1983; Top Male Performer in Barbados, 1984; Barbados Board of Tourism Award for Top Local Show Producer, 1985; Boston Award for Promotion of Barbadian Culture, 1986; and Barbados Workers Union Award, 1989. In 1992 he was recognised as the Top Entertainer in the hotel industry by the Barbados Board of Tourism.

Awards and honours aside, Richard Stoute’s unapologetic perfectionism and immaculate style and manner, whether on or off stage are traits that we can all emulate.  Indeed, his philosophy of “the right way is the only way” can be applied to every area of endeavor and in whatever we do in our daily lives.

The Government of Barbados has conferred on Richard the Barbados Service Star in 1993 and the Gold Crown of Merit in 2008. On this occasion we go one step further and will affix his name to a facility we are certain will become the premier place for the display of local talent in the years ahead.

Barbadians can be assured that we will do so very shortly in a manner most befitting of this distinguished son.