#chris k

I'd be getting bored by then but the next news would perk me up.  The publicist had located a California DJ playing Avonelle H. Joseph regularly.  It would be a young man called Chris K on station KDND 107.9 fm in Sacramento, called the end.

K: Welcome back to the show.  As you know I don't just stick to the current top hits on pop charts but reach beyond into the subculture and other music styles to bring you the best variety.  For the past few weeks I've been playing a very different song called Avonelle H. Joseph.  It's by Bobby McFerrin to the tune of his great hit from the 80s Don't worry, be Happy.  Most of you probably assumed it was a cheap ripoff by someone else or a case of him becoming a classic sellout.  Neither is true.  The lyrics were written by his duet partner in this version of the song.  His name is Phil Cole of Phillip and Cole's Variety Team.  You may have seen him on any number of tv shows, most recently the Talk and Conan.  He's in California right now promoting all his major products and he's here with us on the phone from LA to chat about this unusual song.  Phil, how are you?

PBC: Doing well, thank you.

K: You are so busy.

PBC: I know.  This is about the 10th interview just today.

K: Well I won't keep you long.  I just want to explain, want you to explain, how you came up out of the blue for a campaign song to the tune of Don't worry be Happy.

PBC: That's how my mind works.  You might call it free association.  Now Avonelle H. Joseph is a real woman.

K; And that's her real name?

PBC: Yes, Avonelle, Hector Joseph, from Trinidad and Tobago.

K; That's in the lower Caribbean, right.

PBC: Yes, 10 degrees north latitude, just a step from the doldrums.  Columbus discovered it on his second voyage.

K: Not the first trip, the second trip.

PBC: That's right, one year later he was trying to retrace his route, got too far south and just when it looked like they were all going to die they sighted the 3 sisters, little mountains on the south coast and that saved the whole crew.

K: Amazing.

PBC: So last year Avonelle decided to run for Parliament.  As it happened she lives in the same district as Dr. Keith Rowley the leader of the rival PNM Party.

K: What does PNM stand for?

PBC: I don't know.  In fact I hope that's the right name.  I can't think of her party at the moment.

K: Is it translated from Spanish or something?

PBC: No, it's an English-speaking country, but I just never bothered to learn what the letters stood for.

K: Ok, so what happened?

PBC: I found out she was running and started writing songs to any tune I could think of that might fit.  Her name was perfect.  Avonelle, rhymes with well, swell, Hector with elect her.  Joseph was a problem but I worked it into a few songs.

K: Like this one.  I'll play it now so you can look up the party names.

(He plays Avonelle H. Joseph as posted weeks ago.)

K: That was Avonelle H. Joseph by Phil Cole and Bobby McFerrin.  Phil's on the line with us.  Did you figure out the party names.

PBC: Yes, Dr. Rowley leads the People's National Movement and Avonelle is in the People's Partnership.

K: They've both got People in the title.

PBC: I don't think Americans could handle that.

K: Ha ha you may be right.  So this song just came natural.  Do you remember which tune you started with?

PBC: Gee, you know, I'm really not sure.  This was kind of in the middle.  The song I released about 12 days ago with Nancy Sinatra was actually written after the election.  That took a while to develop.  Oh I think the first song I used was Ring my Bell.

K:  By the one-hit wonder Anita Ward.

PBC: We're hoping she'll have another half-hit soon.

K: So how's that go?

PBC: Vote for Avonelllllllllllllllllllllle, Avonelle.

K: Ok.  So you'll be releasing that soon.

PBC: That one will wait for the big album 55 Songs for the losing Candidate.

K: And when do you expect that out.

PBC: Yes, there's one more single coming first, another duet with a living legend, then the big album with all kinds of songs.

K: Any more with Bobby McFerrin?

PBC: You never know, but even after the album comes out I might just keep writing Avonelle songs.  There's another election there in 4 years.

K: I think she'll win next time.

PBC: I expect so.  She's great.

K: Well this has been a pleasure.  Good luck with all your projects.

PBC: Thank you.