Calypsonian Martin Byrne

The ‘Mighty Voter’ never lets his loss of sight deter him from making music

By Venessa Deosaran

Performing on stage at a recent calypso competition

Martin Byrne, also known by his calypso stage name ‘Mighty Voter’, despite being completely blind, keeps producing songs that enliven and enlighten.

Byrne was born on December 23, 1953 in Wismar, Linden, but grew up in Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara.

After high school, he had an opportunity to sing in a group called ‘The Lynx’, a five-member, vibrant group that played all over Guyana. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Byrne said although they never had the opportunity to go international, they made two records called ‘I’m searching’ and ‘Mama’ that was done at the then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.

But tragedy soon struck. He had worked with a few companies and was at the Guyana Technical Institute pursuing studies in engineering when, he notes, “At that time, my eyes started giving me problems. I wanted to go on to the university but couldn’t because of my failing sight. At age 40, my sight was totally gone. This was due to glaucoma. However, this did not deter me from making my music,” the singer stated.

Byrne said at first it was difficult to get around and do things he would normally do by himself. His independence was lost, but his wife, Joan, was, and remains, his biggest source of support. He had a talent he could fall back on, and that was singing. He joined a band called The Eclipse Band, and did many performances with them.

“I was still writing although I was blind. I would get the lyrics and my wife would write it down for me. I got an opportunity to learn to read and write in Braille, and I also know to play the keyboard.” In 2001, he worked along with Guyenterprise’s owner in producing jingles.

He wrote jingles for many companies including one called ‘On your mark, get set… vote’ for the PPP/ Civic campaign when the late President Janet Jagan was running for presidency in 2001.

Receiving recognition

After that jingle was determined a good one, Byrne was approached to write it into a full calypso song. At the time, Byrne considered himself a soul, reggae and funk – now called hip-hop, singer not a calypsonian.

It was a new area, but he looked at it as a challenge, and went to the calypso competition finals in 2001 with the same song. This was his first calypso competition.

In 2002, he produced a song for domestic violence called ‘Nah beat dem gal pickney’ and that went to the finals in the 2002 calypso competition.

In 2003, he wrote the theme, which became the winning entry for Mashramani, ‘United are we in Mash 2003’. He then wrote a full song on the same theme.

In 2004, there was a ‘bad manners competition’ where various calypsonians participated. “I got third in that competition, but my song was the most-played on the radio, and today that is the song played at the National Culture Centre whenever shows are kept. A piece of it says, “Listen my brothers and sisters, there’s a war on bad manners.”

“I’m sure many have heard this before. In that same year, I brought second in the calypso competition with ‘Walk de Walk’. In 2005 to 2007, I didn’t win anything but my songs went to the finals. In 2008, there was an HIV song contest sponsored by the Ministry of Health – I brought first in this competition. The same year, I brought third in the calypso competition with the song ‘Trafficking in Persons’.

“In 2009, I brought second in the HIV song contest. Now I’m just working behind the scenes. Last Friday at the calypso competition at Banks DIH, I brought fourth. I never won the calypso monarch, and that’s my goal at present. I think I deserve it and will work harder for the title,” he vowed, saying too that he works on his songs early especially when he is inspired.

Finding the positive out of his disability

“My wife Joan is my biggest support, especially helpful in coping with my blindness. I think my faith in God has brought me through all my trials, because at one time, I was feeling suicidal but I turned to my God and was given renewed faith. When I look to people like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and many other renowned blind artistes I get the encouragement. I look at these icons and tell myself, “If they can make it then why I can’t?” Despite my blindness, I have a talent and I will never give up. I have about 500 songs in a book right now waiting to be produced. They range from soca, reggae and gospel,” he disclosed.

Byrne is peeved that there is not much sponsorship for artistes. He added that songs are very expensive to produce and he thinks that is the hardest part for artistes in Guyana.

“I’m thankful for the support I have received from my family, friends and well-wishers. There’s always need for more sponsorship and that’s what I’m asking for. In addition, we have the facilities to train disabled people but there aren’t any jobs available for us. Businesses don’t provide jobs for trained disabled people. This needs to be addressed.

“When I did Braille I thought there would be a job after, but I was discouraged when there wasn’t because businesses don’t make allowances for that. I am grateful for the support I have been receiving and I hope more opportunities are opened up for disabled ones,” Byrne reiterated.

The calypsonian said he now looks at his disability in a positive light. The things he has accomplished were not there when he was sighted. He thinks his disability was his motivation for developing himself as a father, husband and singer.

“I didn’t accomplish certain goals when I was seeing but I did when I went blind. So I encourage others to see the good when they face trials and only then will they be motivated to endure successfully,” he encouraged.

At present, Byrne is working on three songs that all address social issues, which, he hopes, with sponsorship, to launch this year. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)