Send us a text In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit with internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and educator Etienne Charles for a wide-ranging conversation on music, memory, and cultural responsibility. Etienne reflects on growing up in Trinidad, his formative years at Fatima College, and how calypso, jazz, steelband, and African diasporic traditions shaped his artistic voice. We explore his commitment to live music, his philosophy on albums as historical documents,...

Send us a text Just a quick check in from Corie & David to say thanks for being a part of the journey in 2025 and to share some of our plans to make 2026 even greater!

Send us a text In this special on-location episode, we sit with Alvin Daniell — cultural archivist, lyricist, educator, engineer, and the visionary creator of Calypso Showcase — for an in-depth conversation on legacy, preparation, and preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural memory. Recorded in Miami, this episode explores Alvin Daniel’s journey from mathematics teacher and engineer to one of the most influential interviewers and advocates in Caribbean music history. He reflects on the origi...

Send us a text We’re back with our annual Christmas episode, sharing calypso and parang music from Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹 — a simple holiday check-in we do every year for our audience. As always we’re joined by my son and our producer Zachary for a relaxed Christmas lime filled with music, laughter, and conversation. Together, we revisit Christmas traditions, talk about music old and new, reflect on the year gone by, and make space for younger voices while still honouring the cul...

Send us a text In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Sackie, a young artiste and performer whose journey reflects the reality, resilience, and creativity of a new generation of Caribbean artists. Sackie opens up about finding his voice through performance, growing up between church, football, and music, and navigating grief, discipline, and self-belief at a young age. We talk about authenticity, creative risk, testing music through social media, and what it really ta...

Send us a text In this wide-ranging conversation, Rome joins us to unpack a career that spans engineering, music, radio, television, and cultural leadership. From his early days as a mechanical engineer at Petrotrin to becoming one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most recognisable entertainment voices, Rome reflects on the risks, pivots, and purpose that shaped his journey. We dive deep into the state of Carnival and live entertainment, including venue shortages, promoter challenges, and why Trinida...

Send us a text Umba (Matsimela): Foundation Dubplates, Sound Clash History & Trinidad’s Sound System Legacy In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit with Umba, selector and driving force behind Matsimela, Trinidad & Tobago’s most formidable sound system. From playing records as a child to clashing on some of the world’s biggest stages, Umba breaks down the real history of sound system culture — not hype, not nostalgia, but lived experience. We trace Matsimela’s rise from ...

Send us a text In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit with Ken Corbie — musician, educator, and one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most respected cultural voices. Ken takes us through his remarkable journey in music, the mentors who shaped him, and the lessons learned from a lifetime of service to culture and community. From his early years discovering his love for music, to the people who guided his path, to the relationships and experiences that shaped who he became, Ken shares s...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit with Trinidad & Tobago cultural icon and legendary pannist Dane Gulston — the face of Trinidad All Stars and one of the most recognisable steelpan performers of the last four decades. Dane takes us deep into his journey from Nelson Street and Eastern Boys’ Government School to touring the world with Trinidad All Stars, training under musical giants, and eventually becoming a soloist whose performances have captivated audiences from Cuba to Scotland. ...

Send us a text In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, we sit with Erphaan Alves — artist, songwriter, performer, and one of the most influential voices shaping modern soca. From his earliest days as a child performer in Chaguanas, to writing for giants like Machel Montano and Kes, to creating anthems like Bumper Like Rain, Overdue, No Abla, Background, and Spirit, Erphaan charts the full story of his journey in a way he has never shared before. We explore his upbringing, the impact of hi...

Send us a text Dominic Kalipersad joins us for a reflective, insightful conversation on communication, journalism, professionalism, language, and how Trinidad and Tobago is adapting to new media in the 21st century. With 50 years across television, radio, print, and now digital platforms, Dominic shares what he’s learned about speaking with clarity, communicating with purpose, and educating through media — from his early days as a teacher, to TTT, to radio, to his long-form Instagram storytel...

Send us a text Adonai Dieu — formerly known as Daniel Loveless, the creator of the viral Caribbean street show “What Yuh Know”— joins us on The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a powerful, transparent, and transformational conversation. In this episode, we explore his full journey: • Growing up and building one of the Caribbean’s biggest digital brands • The rise of What Yuh Know and the pressures of fame from age 17 • Identity, purpose, mental health, and the emptiness that success couldn’t fix • ...

Send us a text In this special episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Beverly Ramsey-Moore — proud daughter of Black Rock, Tobago, President of Pan Trinbago, and lifelong member and leader of the iconic Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra — as we join with Pan Trinbago to mark the official launch of Panorama 2026. 🎶 Beverly shares her remarkable journey from the panyard to national leadership, grounded in her guiding philosophy of “never I, always we and us.” The conversation explo...

Send us a text ✨ Paid partnership with bmobile Business ✨ We’re kicking off our Champions of Business special with Kiran Maharaj, Chair of the T&T Chamber’s Awards Committee. This year’s spotlight: *The Innovation Award 2025 sponsored by bmobile Business* — highlighting a longstanding partnership between bmobile Business and the Chamber in celebrating innovation across Trinidad & Tobago. In this episode, we hear from David Richard of Mobile Medical Group and Larry Holder of Novo...

Send us a text

Send us a text In this powerful conversation, Raymond Ramnarine, frontman of Dil-E-Nadan, sits with Corie Sheppard to share the faith, discipline, and family values behind one of Trinidad & Tobago’s longest-running bands. Raymond opens up about: 🎵 Growing up in the Ramnarine family band and carrying the legacy after his father’s passing. 🙏 The mantra “We pray before we play” and how faith shapes his leadership. 🥁 Why he insists on full live-band performances — no tracks, no shortcuts. 🌍 T...

Send us a text In this inspiring and unfiltered conversation, Lady Lava shares how authenticity, hustle, and survival shaped her into one of the most influential voices in modern soca. She talks about building from the ground up—selling slippers, coconut water, and ice cream to fund her dreams—and why every stage of the grind made her unstoppable. Lava opens up about artist independence, income discipline, and why talent without structure will keep you stuck. She also speaks passionately abou...

Send us a text In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Corie sits down with Kasey Phillips, the world-renowned producer and CEO of Precision Productions, whose sound has defined a generation of soca and shaped the evolution of Caribbean music. Kasey opens up about his journey from engineering hits for KMC and Machel Montano to crafting global soca anthems like Antilles and countless Road March winners. He reflects on his creative philosophy, the business of production, and why he refus...

Send us a text In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Trinidadian artist and poet Jimmy October opens up about his creative evolution, the story behind New Calypso, and his new project Episode 3 — a four-track EP that moves from the high-energy “Bam Bam” to the reflective “Desires.” He explains how fashion became self-expression (“the three belts story”), why his sound blends Calypso roots with modern R&B and pop influences, and what it really took to walk away from a secure hospi...

Send us a text Corie dedicates this episode to the late matriarch “Mama Doreen,” whose Girl Guides guard-of-honour in a packed Tacarigua church sparked a bigger conversation: the crisis of community and how strong institutions can pull Trinidad & Tobago back from its apparent moral decline. Anchored by memories from the funeral and repass—hymns, kaiso, and hard truths—Corie argues that movements like Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Cadets, school bands, and the Police Band don’t just “nice...