Panorama Semi-Finals without Dudley Smith?

As you listen to Panorama Semi-Finals today think of how awful the bands would sound if our Dudley Smith (father and grandfather of the Hoytes) didn’t decide to put rubber on the sticks!

Terry Hoyte

Introducing, Terry Hoyte, son of our steelpan pioneer, Dudley Smith. I spoke to Terry a couple days ago and he reminded me of one of his previous roles – ‘skining’ the goat after it was sacrificed. The skin was then stretched on the outside wall of the tent to dry. The dried skin was then used to make a drum. Terry is ready to resume that role next August. Any of you younger Hoytes on facebook ready to help him?

60th Anniversary of Dudley Smith in London

Tuesday is the 60th anniversary of our cousin, father and grandfather to the Hoytes, Dudley Smith’s debut in London. Dudley was a member of the Trinidad All Percussion Steel Orchestra (TAPSO). He was one of the 12 best selected to represent Trinidad. This was the first time the steelband was played in Britain. They played calypsoes, f...olk songs and classical music. Dudley is acknowledged as one of the men who contributed to the early development of the pan. He was the first man to add rubber to the sticks used to beat the pan. Five-time ping pong (tenor) champion, he eventually moved to the Bahamas and recorded at least 2 albums.