Hailes Castello.. (Singer, Song Writer,MC, Radio Personality, DJ, KJ and VJ) Former lead Singer of the Band Asterisks was born in New Prospect (Simon), St. Vincent and the Grenadines became very fond of music at an early age. He was only 12 yrs old when he penned his first song and sang it to a rather appreciative audience, from that day the people of New Prospect still affectionately call him Marley. It was that experience that gave him the courage to break ranks from the family tradition of farming, much to his fathers disappointment, to become one of St. Vincent most versatile entertainers.
In 1986 after a tour with the Band Asterisk, Hailes decided to give up a teaching career back in SVG to call New York Home.
He continues to hone his vocal skill here in the US with various bands, notably Lio Smith Orchestra, The Rebels and Kc Orchestra (to name a few), with whom he performed in over 25 major Cities In the US and Canada and The Caribbean. Hailes established his versatility when he had to fill in as MC for the no show MC booked for a wedding at which the Lio Smith band was performing; he did so well that he subsequently emceed for the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Manhattans, Mighty Sparrow, Beckett, Buju Banton, Patra, Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, and others.
All this time Hailes was also working on a soca singing career, that got him recording deals with the likes of Strakers Record, Lems Record, Lance Records and Dimension Records out of Canada.. Some of you will still Remember “Get Up And Dance, Juliet and Raise The Roof” as 3 of his more popular hits.. It is often said by independent observers that this is an area that Hailes has truly underachieved, in spite of his vocal talent.
On a 1994 tour of Barbados, St.Vincent and Grenada with Barrinton Levy, Hailes was introduced to Karaoke, he immediately recognized the possibilities, as it allowed him to merge both his Singing and MC skills. On his return to New York he set about to make this a career, needless to say the karaoke business hasn’t been the same since; walk into any karaoke bar and mention the name Hailes Castello, and you just might hear someone utter the words -“the Karaoke King.” Karaoke also allowed him to develop his skills as a dj, so today Hailes is easily considered one of the more versatile Vincy dj’s, a fact that is backed up by the wide cross section of the nationalities for whom he performs.
Yet for all his accomplishments, Hailes was not contented, because he knew that much of Caribbean music especially Vincy music, lacked effective exposure, so when the opportunity came to acquire an internet radio station he jumped at it. Its now been six years and the knowledge of Vincy music has spread far and wide, to the extent that no longer will someone walk up to him and ask “wah Beckett sing dis year” for the they know they can always tune to www.Brooklyn.com and the answer will be there. Hailes Castello was the first to stream the Prime Ministers town hall meeting back to St. Vincent, by simulcast from Brooklyn. He was the first to broadcast Vincy Carnival live in the New York area – as one prominent observer said, “you can hear more Vincy music in New York than in St.Vincent.” Hailes Castello continues to serve his community and beyond, by lending his talent to various events and charities, and promises to do this for many years to come.
For bookings and more info call 917 476 3843 Email Djhailescastello@gmail.com or hailes_Castello@yahoo.com
