Calypso Al

 THE ISLAND BOY MADE IT AND SO CAN YOU

Hello my name is Allan Russell: nicknamed – Calypso Al due to my passion for singing. I was born in Barbados (a beautiful Caribbean Island) “land of the sea and sun.” I was the typical troublesome little island boy that darted here and there, just having fun and worrying the heck out of my parents. I remember my father putting shoe polish on my hair to blacken it. The naps were a dark burnt orange color. (I guess you could call it that.)       I fell in love with my elementary school teacher. Her name was Ms. Mullens. She was short and cute. I used to see myself marrying her but obvioualy that didn't happen. She was too old for me, plus she already had a boyfriend.       The game of Cricket was the major sport in Barbados and it still is as in many of the other Caribbean islands. I played it on a low level. We used to call bat 'n ball; nothing major. We had neither the gear nor the outfits to make it look real.       Instead of cricket I developed a love for singing and playing the guitar. I think I could see me now -- strumming and singing "Oh island in the sun, Gave to me by my father's hand..."       My first job after I graduated from Combermere Boys School (in those days it was not a co-ed school.) I worked as a sales person and head photographer in a leading department store called Forgaty's. I understand the building went up in flames about a year after I left the island. More about my departure later.       In Fogarty's one day I met a beautiful girl named Maureen Smith. We dated for a short while in the summer of sixty-four and we got married in November. She was da-bomb -- she still is. We've been together for forty-four years, and have been blessed with four children and seven beautiful grand children. SUCCESS!!!       In December of the same year I left Barbados for London – England. I went in search of a dream.       Looking back to the not so distant past, my road to success began when I helped to put together a group of teenage musicians (like myself) then known as the Zodiac Combo. We weren't without competition. There was The Blue Rhythm Combo and the Teenage College Thrillers who took away some of our spotlight. No big deal. We kept believing and learning the repetoire.        Three or fours years later, soon after I met Maureen, my soul caught ablaze with the desire to make it big. The opportunity presented itself for me to immigrated to London – England to join the London Transport (as I mentioned above) but my primary goal was to search for my dream.       My dream was to be an internationally known singer-songwriter. And I accomplished it to a great degree considering my humble beginnings.       My roots in the field of music began to spread from learning to play the violin at Combermere School and later flourished when I played a homemade bass guitar in the teenage band in Barbados.       As I said earlier, from these humble beginnings I later realized the true fulfillment of my dream in London when I became lead singer with a band of musicians called Erasmus Chorum. The entire involvement helped me achieve my SUCCESS big time!!! Ah the sweet taste of Success! It was hard work, but I love every minute of it. Oh for the bright lights and accolades.       We worked our buns off for six-and-one-half years. We performed night after night, weekend after weekend in England, Scotland, Wales, and Paris - France; even as far as Beirut – Lebanon, and Cairo – Egypt during the days of relative peace in the Middle East. We also gained national exposure on a television showcase called the “Opportunity Knocks” – a bit like American Idol. We played Rock Music, some Heavy Metal stuff, some Funk, and Reggae: a couple of slow balads here and there.       In seventy-three there was an oil shortage that caused many night clubs to reduce their days of operation. We went from frequent work to the promise of work. The disco era kicked in and kicked us out.       I was faced with a dilema. Either to stick it out, or let my family starve. I left the band and it folded. Sometimes I regret the decision. The memory of doing the opening act for Bob Marley and the Wailers, Chairman of the Board, and Millie Jackson still resonates in my mind.       So I took a night job with British Telecomms and worked as an telephone operator for five years. The transition was very stressful.       In the late seventies I saw the ‘writing on the wall’ after Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister of England. Something had totally obliterated the remnants of the Beatles and the ‘Flower Power’ era. So we took up residence in the United States.       Roxbury was too dangerous a city in which to raise a family. Our children had to be bussed with police protection to a school in South Boston. So here we are. We currently reside in Georgia.        I was a supervisor in the quality control department of a company that was based in Norcross, GA. I attended several night classes in leadership and management and got despondent with the corporate world after meeting with an Amway distributor.        Since then I have dibbled and dabbled in the Network Marketing business on and off for years. Yes folks! I have hit the same stumbling stones as ninety five percent of networkers have done -- used up the warm market. Can't say I'm exactly a newbie to the business, but at times I feel like one. Hey! I even sold life insurance and mutual funds with AL Williams. I have a lot to offer. I believe in the impossible.        So here I am ready to share my knowlege and experiences with networkers who want to grow with me.        I would like to meet people like myself who are tired of being sick and tired of the pay-check-after-pay-check syndrome: people who want to make a difference in the lives of others.        Here are just a few of the books I’ve read: Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon HillHow to Win Friends and Influence peopleBecome a Better You – Joel OsteenYour Best Life Now – Joel OsteenBelieve That You Can – Jentezen FranklinPolishing God’s Monuments – J. N. AndrewsThe Winning Edge – Dr. Denis WaitleyThe Magic of Compound Recruiting – Hubert HumphreyPushing Up People – Art WilliamsThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. CoveyIn Search of Identity – Anwar El Sadat I’ve also attended Marshall Sylver’s “Turning Point” three day Seminar. “The latter will be greater than the former…” Here’s to your success.  Email me at: winthatgas@yahoo.com678 231 4821