The Talbot Brothers calypso band may be a thing of the past, but its legacy lingers on helping people in need in the community.

In the last 17 years, the Ross (Blackie)' Talbot Charity Classic has raised more than $2.5 million to benefit more than 60 local charities.And Bermuda's movers and shakers will tee off again this year at the Riddell's Bay Golf and Country Club on April 6, 7 and 8

"So far the registration this year is a little softer than last year because of the economy," said organiser Clement Talbot, son of band member Ross (Blackie) Talbot. "But we still have a good number of people signed up."His father passed away in November 2000, but not before participating in several of the tournaments.

"Our focus this year is Bermuda's environment," said Mr. Talbot. "Also Bermuda's history and the education of its youth." Charity recipients this year include Greenrock, Impact Mentoring Academy, Bermuda National Gallery, the Bermuda Red Cross, and the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Educational Award which helps young people studying music. "My father was a golfer," said Mr. Talbot. "He took it up a little later in age.

He went on to become an amateur champion at Ocean View Golf Course."He was able to get his handicap in the single digits. Anyone who goes in the single digits is considered a good golfer. He was very competitive."I have to say that when I played with him I may have beaten him twice for every 10 games, and he was in his 80s. He was consistently shooting between 78 and 84."This month the Ross (Blackie) Talbot Brothers Foundation releases a coffee table book about the Talbot Brothers as well as a CD and 90 minute DVD collection.Many people reserved their copies in December to give as Christmas gifts, and it will finally be on shelves next week.

This special tribute is being funded with the support of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, and is written with the help of Elizabeth Jones. It was also helped along by RuthThomas, WayneJackson and several others.It documents how the group broke through Bermuda's racial barriers and won the hearts of everyone from Babe Ruth to American President Dwight Eisenhower.

The book also tells the instrumental role the Talbots played in shaping Bermuda's tourism industry before and after the Second World War."It took a year for the project to come fruition," said Mr. Talbot. "I have had the opportunity to look at it and it is extremely professionally done.

It has so much historical information. I found it very interesting."But Mr. Talbot said producing a high quality hardback book turned out to be more costly than he anticipated.Production of the two CDs, andDVD and the hardback limited edition book had a cost of over $100,000.

"HSBC Bank of Bermuda was kindly our only sponsor," Mr. Talbot said. "They played a crucial role."I thought it was important to do this because it is an era almost forgotten by the younger crowd," said Mr.Talbot.

"This is so that they can know that the Talbots and their peers and other entertainers played a significant part in developing Bermuda's tourism industry."Mr. Talbot said his only regret is that he didn't do it earlier when his father was alive."My father had a lot of history in his head that I didn't record," he said. "I can remember parts of it, but not all the stories that he shared with me.

At least we were able to get my Uncle Roy's insight."In the DVD he shares some of the Talbot Brothers highlights and achievements."The DVD includes footage from two appearances the Talbots made on the 'Ed Sullivan Show' in the 1950s, and also from their performances at the prestigious Mayfair Hotel in London.

"The DVDs will give footage that the average person has not seen," said Mr. Talbot.Mr. Talbot, who is Community andGovernment Liaison Manager at the HSBCBank of Bermuda, said he got to see the Talbot Brothers legacy first-hand when working as a youngster in the hotel industry."I was nightclub captain at the Hamilton Princess," he said.

"That was when they had shows with people like Dolly Parton, Roy Castle, Natalie Cole and a lot of big names that came."I remember quite clearly that Tuesdays were the Talbot Brothers night, and although there was a wealth of local talent to choose from, Tuesdays were usually sold out.

Working in the industry I saw firsthand the significant impact they made to our hospitality and tourism industry."Brown & Company is planning a major book launch and book signing with surviving Talbot Brother Roy Talbot on Saturday from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.And there is still time to register for the golf tournament.

The cost of registration is $175. This price includes a number of perks including breakfast and lunch and a pre tournament players' reception.

To register people can go online at http://www.rbtcharitygolf.org/default.html or they can collect an entry form from the Total Marketing Group at 295-4558 . In addition to the actual tournament, there are lots of smaller qualifying competitions such as a putting green shoot-out that come with a prize of a $1,000 Meyer-Franklin travel voucher.