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Already established in Saint Lucia, Teddyson John had to introduce himself all over again in Trinidad. “Allez” opened the door—but his story goes far beyond one hit.

Teddyson joins us to talk about teaching himself instruments, leaving school two weeks before his exams, and navigating the tension between his church upbringing and his passion for performing.

We explore the meaning behind “Allez,” the pressure to deliver a new hit every Carnival, his friendship with Kes, and representing Saint Lucia on the Tiny Desk stage. He also shares the vision behind his stripped-back concerts—and why an artiste’s entire body of work deserves to be celebrated.

A conversation full of laughter, faith, music and pride in where we come from. 🇱🇨

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His father wanted him to become a doctor. Carl “Beaver” Henderson imagined that future—and realised he could be successful and still be unhappy.

He walked into his pre-med exam, handed in a blank paper and never went back.

This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with musician, producer and pioneer Carl “Beaver” Henderson for a conversation about choosing your own path, challenging convention and helping shape the sound of Trinidad and Tobago.

Beaver takes us inside his sessions with Shadow and Lord Shorty, his unexpected first assignment producing Denise Plummer, and the early experiments that helped soca evolve. He also shares the remarkable story of Marlon Asher’s “Ganja Farmer”—from getting little encouragement from radio to finding an audience far beyond Trinidad.

We explore:
• Leaving medicine for music—and the rift with his father
• The lesson Shadow taught him about a “wrong” chord
• The Last Supper and his early band days
• Funk, technology and the evolution of soca
• Why he believes competition prizes can limit creativity
• The making and breakthrough of “Ganja Farmer”
• His account of early chutney soca experiments
• Why young creatives need opportunities and support

A conversation about trusting your instincts, staying curious and refusing to let other people define your future.

Subscribe and join us in the comments: have you ever had to choose between the life expected of you and the life you wanted?

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#CorieSheppardPodcast #CarlBeaverHenderson #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago #GanjaFarmer

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Behind Chucky Gordon’s smile and stage presence is a story of depression, self-doubt, and finding a reason to keep going.

Roderick “Chucky” Gordon joins us for an honest, funny, and fearless conversation about how the performing arts helped save his life, his search for his father’s attention and approval, and the journey to finding his own voice.

The two-time Calypso Monarch also opens up about the shock of missing the finals, the pressures of speaking truth to power, and why he refuses to compromise his convictions. From soca success to his signature “Jiggy Calypso,” we explore what it takes to build your own lane—and keep standing in it.

In this episode:
• Depression, healing, and finding community through music
• His father Roland Gordon’s influence and legacy
• The disappointment of being left out of the Calypso Monarch finals
• Politics, artistic freedom, and the responsibility of a calypsonian
• Soca hits, industry cliques, and reclaiming his identity
• Bringing calypso to a new generation

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https://www.patreon.com/CorieSheppardPodcast

#CorieSheppardPodcast #ChuckyGordon #Calypso #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago