With all due respect Mr. Richard Stoute have been giving many young talent of Barbados a chance to show their skills in the entertainment field, to question him now what have the competition has done for the competitors are still many to see around the island. I am wondering if there is something behind this because other talent shows around the world are in the hands of a multimillionaire.
Of course must be done to promote our self owned talent show but we must work together and help is needed also each year at least a recording of each winner as a start in his/her career. At the moment I find there are not enough live bands on the club circuit because they are not many, what I have seen are many Karaoke bars around the island and with this direction is a just a point blank dead-end. We had a few years ago so many live bands that I felt with the awards and the many events that things were going in the right direction but now some good musicians are either playing alone and struggling to survive and my question is, what happened?
What is needed in the Caribbean is that we must work together for shows like the Richard Stoute Teen Talent show by exchanging the winners and exposing them to tour our lands and just maybe with this kind of popularity the music scouts will take notice of this new movement and take a few under their management. I personally think that this possibility should be looked into and bring these talent shows to another level. Lets us not just criticise but give support and constructive input for our young and up coming artist.

Keep on truckin’,Richard.Don’t be deterred by the critics.

@ Kenneth King, I do agree with you.  Any exposure at a higher level would be beneficial to these contestants. I don’t know what ever became of the Caribbean Song Festival, but a similar junior competition, as you suggest could be a good thing.  I find that after all this time with his brainchild, Mr Stoute would probably find it difficult or not want to risk opening up to others and expanding to a big franchise. I hope it is not a trust issue. If he did, he could very well develop a Barbados Idol with stage two being Caribbean Idol. My other point is if he is able to forge a link with our own Tourist Board or even the successful singers mentioned in the article, something positive might result.  After all, the purpose of Rhianna bing made an Ambassador should amount to more than raking in some bucks for us.
I have always expressed a displeasure for those young winners of the the contest whose awards were motor cars. We could do without the impatient hotheads on the road, overtaking all the old Miss Daisys in the new but already banged up vehicles.) I always felt we should and could consider scholarships of some sort (local, regional or international) to help them to progress whether in music/entertainment or whatever chosen field. Just perhaps it is that Mr Stoute needs to look at the market from a different angle now.

I think Richard Stoute miss the boat a long time ago.His teen talent show remained too much controlled by him.The young talent no longer see it as a way out.The band Coverdrive started by uploading videos to youtube. Glad to hear Richard now arrive in this new millennium and talking about streaming his shows.Far too little too late.The American idol show is how Mr Stoute’s show should have evolved long ago.Richard’s teen talent show should have undergone a name change and a renew direction long ago. Possibly being called The Caribbean Talent show.A format like the one Digicel   did through the Island’s culminating in a Grand show.
Of course big dollars needed for such a project.However Richard had a head start and should not be receiving any Government grant for his show now.
Sadly to say I see this show going off the scene in a few years.Probably should be gone by now.

To question the contribution of The Richard Stoute Teens Talent Competition is pure madness. This competition has highlighted and showcased a lot of young Barbadian talent over the years. I would not even mention names. Barbados has produced quality singers and musicians for many years. I don’t think making it to the International stage is the criteria for being a good singer or musician. There are many people on the international stage who can not come close to a lot of local Barbadian talent. I am very proud and happy for RHI RHI and the others you have made it to the international stage, but there are people in Barbados you are way better than Rhi Rhi , but as Richard said it is all about being in the right place at the right time, and having the looks that the international producer think will sell their music. Richard, please keep on doing the great job you have been doing for the last 35 years.