Nicky Russell, who has entertained Virgin Islanders over the years as Calypsonian, disc jockey, public relations director and entertainer, is about to reach the half century mark of his birth. His friends thought that was enough of an excuse to stage a big birthday tribute to him. So on Saturday, October 30, at Iggie’s Bar & Restaurant at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, his friends will gather from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. to wish him a happy 50th birthday.
The year was 1949. Broderick Crawford won the Oscar for his role as bullying
Southern populist demagogue Willie Stark in All the King’s Men. John O’Hara was riding the Top Ten Best seller list with his A Rage to Live and Arthur
Miller was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his drama, Death of a Salesman.
But all that paled to the biggest news event of the year. It was in Austin, Texas, when on October 29, Edgar and Joan Russell welcomed little Nicky (Mighty Whitey)Russell into the world.
Russell wandered on to the St. Thomas scene as a child and eventually he joined the staff at WVWI Radio. But that wasn’t enough for Russell. In the mid-70s he went on to make a name for himself as Calypsonian Mighty Whitey. At the peak of his Carnival Calypso performances he captivated audiences with his original renditions about life in the islands. He ignited a flurry of letters to the editor with his controversial Move Your Mother Ass, a ditty about a wayward donkey belonging to a neighbor’s mother.
Now he spends his time around the island singing to residents and tourists,
entertaining with a variety of calypso, folk and soft country music.
Many of his selections are introduced with humorous anecdotes.
All are invited to join Nicky and his friends at Iggie’s at Bolongo on Saturday, October 30, from 1 to 6 p.m. for snacks and complimentary soft drinks and beer while the
supply lasts.
There’s also a cash bar and food at Iggie’s Bar & Restaurant.
For information contact Janet Reiter at 774-1239.
