|
CLOSE WINDOW |
20 LIVE Performances Onstage!
The best of Caribbean music is celebrated in this annual awards show celebrating Reggae and Soca Music.
The ceremony will award top honors in 32 categories including vocalists,
D.J.'s, producers,
albums, songs, recording labels, Lifetime Achievement, Living Legend and Tribute.
(PART 2)
I
arrived at the Broward Center of The Performing Arts about an hour early
wanting to make sure I didn't miss anything. WAVS AM, the local
Caribbean radio station, had been broadcasting live outside the theater for
most of the day featuring music from the nominees and interviews with many
of the artists who would be performing during the show. A stunning Pat
Montague interviewed arriving celebrities, attendees and in the
picture to the left, one of the key staff members from the Broward Center of
The Performing Arts that helped make it all possible for the event to be in
such a spectacular setting.
As I entered the beautiful
theater lobby, I flashed my Reggae.com
Press Pass and was directed to a press reception in a private room adjacent
to the lobby. There was a nice spread of fruit, cheeses and crackers
along with various beverages on hand that were very welcome since I had not
really had a chance to have much of a dinner before heading to the
theater. I met up with Leon Coldero
who had been a lead singer with Byron Lee & The Dragonaires and now is
working to launch his own Code 868 band as a top-flight Soca party band here
in South Florida. He was scheduled to be the closing Soca performer of
the night with the Fab 5 backing him up. I
also got the chance to talk with the nominees for Best Reggae Group, TOK,
great new star of the Reggae scene, Warrior
King and one of the legends of the genre, U-Roy. I
think the thing that most impressed me through out the evening was what a
nice bunch of people all the artists and people connected with the event
were. Genuine, dedicated (or should we say "livicated") and
professional - maybe it was the prevailing energy of Winsome and her team
but it was impressive - particularly to someone like myself that has had the
opportunity to hang around backstage at so many events where egos are the
only players at the party.
As show time approached, the "Press" were collected and escorted to the Green Room in the backstage area. We arrived in a room with a nice assortment of snacks and beverages and a small TV sitting on a table. There were several minutes of panic among the group as we thought we were going to be stuck in this little room watching a video feed of the event on a tiny TV screen. Thanks to Jah that turned out not to be the case and we were taken to a group of 20 seats right on the stage off to the left side behind the curtains. It was spectacular and I gave thanks that I had been so blessed to be given this chance to be a part of this very special evening.
The 10th Annual Reggaesoca Music Awards Show got a high energy start with a performance by the Body Nation Dancers. My guess is that the all girl troupe ranged from 7 to 17 years old. They ran through tightly choreographed routines with a combination of joy and expertise offering a nice prelude to the night's festivities. The night's hostess and hosts, Fae Ellington, Charles Hyatt and special guest Razor (a regular at delivering comedy relief on BET) entered the stage with Razor generating a big laugh as he appeared in a robe and towel saying that, being a "black" event he had never thought it would start on time and he had been just about to step into the shower. Fae Ellington and Charles Hyatt are International stars and media celebrities from the older generation of comedians and entertainers in Jamaica and they had great fun jousting with Razor through the night. They announced the first three awards of the night: Producer of The Year - Bobby Digital, Promoter of The Year - Sunshine Theater and Independent Record Company of The Year - VP Records. After the winners got to say a few words, it was time for the start of a stellar music program that would highlight the evening.
The
scrim rose mid-stage to reveal a stunning set of tropical colors, palm
trees and flowers behind one of the most talented back up bands in all of
music and award winners for Reggae and Soca albums on their own, The
Fab 5.
The band played a short intro and the young gospel star, Travis
Finlay entered the stage with the air of confidence and self assurance of
a seasoned pro. He gave the audience a great version of the traditional
song "Jesus Loves Me" with The Fab 5 punching the riddum home
for him. For more on a very talented and inspired young man, visit www.TravisFinlay.com.
CLICK
HERE for the next installment.
