2003 Cacique Lifetime Achievement Recipient

Ronnie Butler
Lifetime Achievement Award

For over 50 years, his voice has thrilled us with sweet down-home Bahamian music in his own inimitable style. A veteran entertainer, Ronnie Butler is timeless and synonymous with ballads, dancing ditties, and songs for every age.

Mr. Butler has classics under his belt like, "Goin' Down Burma Road" and "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number." From the early fifties, he has performed in hot night spots such as The Big Bamboo, Trade Winds, The Rum Keg, and Ronnie's Rebel Room. He was also one of the first of many artists who appeared at the Nassau Beach Hotel's Out Island Bar. Mr. Butler's first musical job, at the age of 17, was playing the maracas with a group formed by his neighbor. At the time, he was employed as a mason and a year and a half later, he was a part of "Alexander's Trio". From here on, The Bahamas witnessed how a young man who grew up in the Montrose/Mt. Royal Avenues became one of the premier entertainers of The Bahamas.

It wasn't long before Alexander's Trio was performing every evening at Carlton House, which, at the time, was located on East Street, between Shirley and Bay Streets. After that, he spent seven years performing with the "King Eric and His Knights" and with his own groups, "Ronnie and the Ramblers" and "Ronnie Butler and Fire." In 2001, Mr. Butler released his 15th album entitled, "Ronnie Butler - The Colours of Life," one he believes surpasses all previous collections that he'd released up to that point.

Mr. Butler's Colons of Life reflected all the aspects of Bahamian life and inspiration over his 50 years of recording. Included was "Dance With Me" a duet done with Sonovia Pierre of Visage, "Sweet Music Man," and "What We Go Do." What's most amazing about this lifetime achiever and musical genius is that he never made a conscious decision to be a musician or entertainer. He just sort of drifted into it, decided he liked it and didn't want to do anything else.

2003 Winners

Michael Hooper - Hotelier of the Year

Juanita Greene - Manager of the Year

Tiffany Knowles - Employee of the Year

Tracey Sweeting - Chef of the Year

Dolphin Encounters/Project Beach - Special Award

Vertrum Lowe - Handicraft

Barbara Barnes - Human Resources Development

Ansil Saunders - Minister’s Award

Chalk’s Ocean Airways - Transportation

Prescott Smith - Sports & Leisure

Eric Minns Creative Arts

Tamika Smith People’s Choice Song Competition – Gospel Performer

Tamika Smith People’s Choice Song Competition – Gospel Writer

Eugene Davis "Geno D" People’s Choice Song Competition – Secular Performer

Eugene Davis "Geno D" People’s Choice Song Competition – Secular Writer

2003 International Winners

Continental Connection
International Airline of the Year

Expedia, Inc.
International Tour Operator of the Year

Liberty Travel
International Travel Agent of the Year

Disney Cruise Line
International Cruise Line of the Year

William Gray
International Travel Writer of the Year