Veteran entertainer Ronnie McIntosh is no stranger to making mas (whether on or off stage), but after recording a hat-trick this year in the Medium Band of the Year category, the singer-turned-bandleader and entrepreneur was obliged to reminisce on his many accomplishments.

Having already survived the music industry, Ronnie and his wife/business partner Caroline opted to examine the many stumbling blocks that they have survived thus far and in so doing stumbled upon their theme for 2011, Survivors.

“We have to be happy and give thanks for life,” said McIntosh, fresh off the stage at St John’s Hall, after presenting his new band to an enthusiastic audience last weekend.

“We have survived all these epidemics like bird flu and dengue, we have survived the natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and even global warming, so these are the sections which we will portray on the road next year, as a reminder to the population and to the world looking on that we are survivors and we have much to be thankful for.”

Several hundred patrons assembled at the venue to witness the presentation, which included entertainment from: Jahmoun, Ezel and John Boy, Mr Fro and Jerry the Drummer.

An obviously elated McIntosh expressed even more gratitude and pleasure that his “mas-base was growing steadily over time”.

“I think Caro and her team really outdid their previous efforts with this one,” he said, “and you know people in this town like to compare, so I’m happy and proud of my wife and the whole camp for exceeding expectations and attracting a bigger crowd than last year. Ah mean, look how they dress up the venue so nice and brought the costumes to life with all this colour and style. I think they really did a great job once again and I can see, as I hope people looking on will see, that we are improving with every year and with each presentation.”

Survivors features nine sections, with names like Guardian Angel, Global Warming, Tsunami, Earthquake, Smoke Pollution, Bird Flu, Go Green, Fire on the Hills and Carnival.

Ronnie and Caro’s new mas camp is located at the corner of Ana and Warren Streets in Woodbrook and the costumes can be viewed on Facebook as well as on their website at www.ronnieandcaro.com. For more info, e-mail: ronnieandcaro@yahoo.com.