Posted on

Spotlight on Burchmore Simon

Entertainer’s Surprise Music Personality

If there was any doubt that Guyana has great music producers and writers at least one person is proving that our country can hold its own for quality and content.  A relatively humble character Burchmore Simon is often seen backstage providing moral support and extra care to his and other artistes who are not from his camp.
While the focus at this time is mainly on the singers, kudos are in order for Guyanese musician Burchmore Simon who is proving even more that he is worth.

Artistes can attest to the fact that he is always willing to listen before offering his wisdom yet he avoids the lime light but his talent just simply can’t.

That came to bear recently when Tennisia DeFreitas copped the 2010 Junior Calypso crown. Aside from taking his advice and being true to herself on stage she use his song “Mama I don’t want to be born” as a serious message that will pull the heart strings of any one who dares to listen.

He also arranged the music for the song that judge Sean Bhola dubbed “the best heard in a long time.” He was instrumental in ensuring that DeFreitas won three children school Calypo titles.

But unlike most who would burst onto the stage in excitement when his song won the Junior Calypso Monarch title Simon, quietly celebrated and offered praise to his God from backstage.

Simon who manages 12 artistes, has over the years ensured that Mashramani always has quality Guyanese music.  In fact, he has already created and launched an album with various artistes for Mash 2010 titled ‘Wine till Yuh drop 5: Devil doer.

This follows rhythms such as Sarsparilla, Koction, Kapadulla and Teesam on which Guyanese artistes such as Passion, Shelly G, G-Money, and Beverly aka Little B as well as those from his camp have all enjoyed recording songs.

In the absence of a national award Simon was bestowed with the Guyana folk festival US award for his contribution to Guyana’s culture and heritage musically. He also copped the Accolade for being the Best music producer for the period 2004-2008.

Simon additionally has written probably the most popular Soca song on radio for 2010 sung by Reigning Road March queen ‘Vanilla’ that encourages Guyanese to get ‘High’. That song has qualified for the Carib Soca monarch finals billed for February 20 and it has also been submitted for the 2010 Road March crown.

It should be noted that for the past seven years, save for the senior calypso Mash competition Simon has ensured that his artistes present quality music at all the Mashramani music competitions. Though he has never been shouting about it his artistes have always placed in the top three.

Simon has also been instrumental in steering the careers of artiste the like of Adrian Dutchin, the three-time Soca monarch and Wilbur ‘B52’ Levans, a three-time junior calypso monarch to being among Guyana’s best entertainers.

And he also manages Soca artiste Jumo for who he has produced countless singles and the artiste’s lone album.

This year he also arranged and co-wrote B52 high energy Soca dubbed ‘carry on’ as well as Orlando ‘Bones man’ Johashen’s ‘is we own.’

Simon, a father of two who hails from Haslington, East Coast Demerara, has been  a mentor to  Melissa Roberts aka  Vanilla to the point that she too is now  in the  music producing business and his dedication to Guyanese music has resulted in her being the  2007 and the 2009  road march  prizes.

Even as his artistes  prepare to take on the competition to  see who will be crown  the 2010  Carib Soca Monarch and road march titles  Simon is in studio working on several tracks.

Under his management, at present he has 12 of Guyana’s best artistes that include Big Red, Ossie O, current Chutney Champion, Rajesh Dubraj, Newcomer and sure shining star, Jovinski.

He also controlsd the duo of Phoenix and Nancy who are currently on tour in China. Incidentally, Simon who is the CEO of  Kross Kolor, has much to celebrate as his label is in its tenth year of recording, producing and arranging quality music for Guyanese artistes. He has also done work for international acts such as Gillo, T.O.K, Elephant Man, Maka Diamond

At present he is working to complete an album for Dave Martin. Simon also does work for major corporate citizens such as Banks DIH, DDL, GT&T and DIGICEL.  Simon is also working on logistics as he has already finalised a Europe that will feature Times 2 and Vanilla during the summer of 2010. In his ten years of dedication to writing, producing and arranging Guyanese music Simon has completed 26 albums in his studio and more than 500 songs spanning all genres.

By Mondale Smith

Posted on

United 4 Haiti Concert raised $516,000

CDC DonationsYesterday (February 1) Gail Vieira of Vizion Sounds who with Hits and Jams organised the United for Haiti concert handed over a cheque valued at $516,000 to Minister Priya Manick Chand at the Civil Defence Comission.

With support from more than 40 local artistes and entertainers representing the various studios and music producers, the Guyana United for Haiti concert staged two fridays ago ( January 22) was deemed a success by entertainer Kerwin Bollers.

Bollers, the concert Producer/Coordinator, said most of teh artistes were on target with inspiring musical messages in one of the many efforts to offer assistance to our brothers and sisters in Haiti”.

Bollers said, “We tried and in a matter of four days the Hits and Jams promotions group in collaboration with Visions Sounds managed to plan, organize and execute the concert that I believe will be remembered as a significant unifier for Guyanese artistes. It also showed that there are Guyanese people who care about others”.

Though the numbers were far less than we expected, for the short period of planning, close to 2000 persons flocked to the National Park for the concert which proved inspiring and also served it purpose of raising funds via the gate, the bars and the food outlets.

The singers performed at varying de but be it the searching ‘I want to know what love is’ and ‘Don’t cry’ songs done by Jessica Xavier or the encore of  “stand up for love’ delivered by new comer Jackie Hanover those in attendance were inspired and moved emotionally. There was also some steel pan playing of the nostalgic ‘My way’ and fashion displays from the Facts N Roses camp.

The Hits and Jams and Vizion Sounds’ team yesterday expressed heart felt gratitude to all the artistes and the people who came out in support of the event and the more than 40 entertainers who voluntarily offered their services to ensure that the concert was a success.

Mondale Smith; the show’s Public Relations Officer and host said, “We also commend the eating houses for affording their services and making donations such as White Castle Fish shop and NP Fried chicken as well as the Impressions who donated ‘Help Haiti’ jerseys for sale. Our gratitude also goes out to Beverage companies Banks DIH and Ansa McAl”.

Among the performers were artistes the likes of Timeka Marshall, First Born, Celeste David, Dallas Forte, Jumo, B52, Tennesia, Shelly G, Jory, Miriam Williams, Avalanche, Gadd Kidd, Richard Singh, Big Red, Ossie O, Shawn English, and Little Africa among others.

There were also cultural dance pieces from X-Factor and from several Indian dancers.

Jamaican artiste, King Prof, who is in Guyana recording his album at Visions Sounds also performed.

Posted on

GMC Produces Official Music Video for Gospel Music Community’s

Historic All-Star Recording To Benefit Haiti Earthquake Victims;

Kirk Franklin’s “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti”

One Hour Special Presentation

World Premieres Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 pm ET on GMC

(Jan. 21, 2010) By Lisa collins, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com — The directive – in the form of emails, text messages and word of mouth – was urgent: to spread the word about a live recording of the gospel music industry’s biggest stars in response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the already poverty-stricken nation of Haiti, impacting an estimated three million people with a death toll some say could top 100,000.

It came from Kirk Franklin, who was moved to act while watching the horrific images broadcast on CNN Wednesday night January 13 from his hotel in Nashville. The next night he took the stage of an already planned prayer service of gospel industry professionals and insiders to make an impassioned personal plea to his fellow artists: to take part in the recording of “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti” to raise funds to help those in Haiti so desperately in need.

“We see these people as God’s children,” Franklin said. “We want to do our part and I just want people to know that the gospel community can respond to a powerful natural disaster.”

The response was overwhelming for what Franklin had dubbed as the gospel community’s answer to “We Are the World,” with more than 150 participants swiftly joining the cause. BeBe & CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Shirley Caesar, Jeremy Camp, Marvin Winans, J. Moss, Smokie Norful, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kiki Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Bishop Paul Morton, Papa San, Micah Stampley and James Fortune would participate in an important endeavor in addition to the one that brought them to Music City, the 2010 taping of the 25th Annual Stellar Awards.

Franklin contacted Don Jackson, executive producer of The Stellar Awards, to request that the Gospel Music Channel (http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com) television network, which is premiering The Stellar Awards on Feb. 28, send cameras and crews to capture the historic recording event.  GMC did so and is producing the official music video for “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti” which will world premiere in a one hour special presentation on GMC Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. (ET), immediately before GMC’s airing of  the global “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon (8:00 p.m.). The special will be hosted by Lisa Kimmey-Winans and will feature exclusive interview footage with Kirk Franklin from the recording session interspersed throughout multiple runs of the music video.  GMC will encore the special on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (ET).   The music video will then go into heavy rotation in all GMC music video blocks. GMC will also produce and premiere an exclusive “A Love Song for Haiti: The Making of ‘Are You Listening’” behind-the-scenes special in February.

“It’s a great song,” said Verity Records president Jazzy Jordan, whose label will release the song both digitally and commercially. “This is going to be a very strong tribute effort. Kirk has really laid himself out here and the industry has responded. Everyone is donating their time and their contributions, from the artists to the engineers and the studio.”

Frankin said, “It’s a song God gave me after 9-11 but by the time I finished it, the timing had passed and I was just never able to marry it to anything. But as I watched what was going on in Haiti, the Lord brought it to my attention that it would be perfect. We’re trying to record it as quickly as we can so that we can have it to radio within a week and a half, with all of the proceeds going to the people of Haiti.”

The effort couldn’t be any more personal for Central South Director/Gospo Centric Records co-founder Claude Lataillade, who was born in Port-au-Prince and still has relatives there.  “It’s really sad. It’s the worst scenario for Haiti. They don’t have the right infrastructure to handle the kind of devastation that has befallen Port-au-Prince. What I’m hoping is with all this world outpouring, Haiti can get a fresh start out of the ashes.”

For Bishop Paul Morton, it brought back memories of Katrina, which devastated his home and church in New Orleans in 2005.  “Every day I think about Katrina and because of what we’ve gone through in New Orleans, I’m more sensitive to the people of Haiti and to the fact that people reached out to us,” Morton said. “It’s so devastating and I think Kirk’s right for providing us the opportunity to come together and give back, particularly of our talents.”

Mary Mary’s Tina Campbell was in awe when she entered the studio and saw just how many artists had come together to help. “There’s nobody getting paid and it’s just awesome to see so many people committed to helping. I’m listening to the song and seeing all of these artists and saying, Kirk is such a visionary. The lyrics to this song are so necessary and I’m so proud to be part of it.  Adds sister Erica Campbell, “People of faith should be at the forefront of this. This song backs what we stand for and I believe it will help in the healing for victims of this tragedy.”

Like Mary Mary, CeCe Winans believes it’s only fitting that gospel artists lead the way.  “That’s what gospel is about…” Winans said, “Loving people and being the extended hands of God.”

Posted on

Carib Soca Monarch 2010 plans almost complete

2009 Soca Monarch Queen Shelly GEven as the focus is on the festive season, plans are almost complete for the staging of the Carib Soca Monarch 2010 Mashramani competition.

A source from within the Carib Beer Soca Monarch planning committee, told this publication that Soca Monarch contenders need to start preparing their songs to submit for a possible chance at the first prize purse.

“We are focussed on Christmas right now but our plans are almost complete for the 2010 competition and from what I know things will be bigger and better,” the source said.

With Christmas day completed the plans should be unveiled at a launching ceremony in a few days the source informed. When this publication contacted Nigel Worrell the event coordinator he was tight lipped but said the event is definitely happening in 2010 in a big way.

Shellon Garraway (Shelly G) formerly known as Shelly Belly, is the reigning soca monarch and word from her camp is that she has no plans to let go of the crown and will be defending it fiercely. She copped the title last year over Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts with her spicy soca hit titled ‘Work it.’  Vanilla eventually copped the Road March title with her “Ah coming hot for the carnival.”

According to reports from the Kross Kolor ‘Head Hunters’ camp three times soca monarch Adrian Dutchin is in the valley of decision, contemplating a possible return to the competition, while Vanilla and B52 (Lil Man) as well as Berbician ‘Bones man’ plan to stake their claim on the crown in February, 2010.

Posted on

Guyanese Zandra Brown releases first Gospel album in USA

Zandra BrownZandra Brown, a Florida-based Guyanese singer has recorded her first Gospel CD, as she says, “to awaken your questionable thoughts.”

“If you are looking to connect with the lyrics on your own emotions, then get ready to feel the pain, dance for joy, sing praise and rejoice as you enjoy the music of Zandra Brown.

The album includes songs such as Your Love Is a Prayer Breakthrough, You Never Change, Keeping The Faith, Amazing God, Because You Love Me, I Will Not Be Shaken, My Endless Curiosity, A Mystery To Me, Since He Saved Me, I Can’t Turn Back Now, Raise The Name Of God and You’re So Lovely.

Zandra Brown’s style of music is a combination of pop, soul, jazz, rock, funk and blues to enhance her unique take on the modern “Adult Contemporary/Christian” sound.  She refuses to keep God in a box by confining her talents to one style or genre, which open the doors to cross both Christian and secular radio playing.

She will capture your attention with her powerful lyrics and stage presence.

Zandra’s music is personal and comes from deep within her soul.

Describing herself as an independent artist Zandra Brown was born in Guyana and grew up listening to a diverse array of artist the likes Tina Turner, The Beatles and Bob Marley who were inspirational in her passion for music.

When she migrated to America with her family at age 18, she never lost her dream of reaching out to others through music and entertainment. After some disappointing friendships and a lack of superior direction, Zandra began to seek deeper answers and meaning for her life.

In 2004, she turned her life over to God and began singing in her church choir.  She then realized that God had given her other gifts and talents that sparked her already self-driven enthusiastic, high energy personality.

In May 2008, her career progressed to song writing.  She wrote her first song “I Will Not Be Shaken” which was inspired by some difficult times in her life. (www.zandrabrown.com)

Posted on

Jamzone 2010 goes International for 10th Anniversary

Jamzone will mark it 10th anniversary in 2010 and we have planned a series of activities to celebrate those successful years of adding to the development of the local tourism sector.

As a prelude to the August Jamzone Anniversary we have a calendar of activities to celebrate with our fans and committed supporters.

For our 10th year we the Hits and jams entertainment group will be upping our game yet again in the interest of promoting tourism in Guyana. As such for 2010 our event will feature delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean competing against a Guyanese beauty ambassador for the coveted Miss Jamzone title. The

“We plan to have eliminations to select Guyana’s representative to the pageant” said Kerwin Bollers. Preliminaries will be held in all participating countries. The prizes will amount to US 15,000 including US$13,000 cash.

As was done this year the event will continue to be dubbed ‘Jamzone Summer Break Weekend’ and will feature four nights of super concerts, beach parties and one fantasy pageant. Planning is on going. “The queen takes home a Motor car or US $10,000”, Bollers said.  More details as plans progress.

Posted on

All set for Rise to the occasion DJ’s clash on Sunday at Umbrella Resort

Twenty three DJ’s are carded to compete for $200,000 winner take all cash prize, the winners trophy and one year bragging rights and  Guyana’s number one Deejay at the Umbrella Resort on Sunday.

But according to promoter Serettee McAllister aka DJ Face there will also be prizes and trophies for the second place finisher and the most consistent DJ while a Mr. Hype will also be crowned.

This publication understands that show time is 16:00hrs but all Deejays are scheduled to arrive at the Umbrella Resort by 13:00hrs, barring which they face elimination from the competition once it gets started.

Eliminations will be done in each round depending on the amount of Deejays in the competition while the emcees are DJ Bevaughn out of stereo Sonics and DJ Gringo of Slingerz.

Round one dubbed anything goes allows each Deejay to play for four minutes and any one who plays back a tune or use of profanity will be eliminated.

In round two the focus will be on consistency in juggling making allowance for each Deejay to play at least four different genres of music during a three minutes period for each DJ. The winner will take home a trophy and a cash prize but it is also an elimination round.

Mr. Hype will be the main focus of round three through which each Deejay will play one song and the one who gets the most forward will receive a cash prize and a trophy and again there will be some elimination.

For round four the women will take the Deejay spotlight and will each be given two minutes to prove themselves the best and elimination will be done.

Round five is a remembrance tribute round that will feature the deejays spinning the music of deceased artistes for two minutes each and another elimination will occur.  The final round is the hyped famous tune for tune clash and each Deejay will play four selections to determine the first, second and third place finishers in the competition.

The list of deejays for the show include Slata, Big Head, Fire House slata, Junior,  Chappy, Moses, Turner, Father Moey, Delon, David Hype, McGregor, Stone, Tyson, Deckie, Famous, Aguard, Magnum, Gaddkid, Long John, Selctor David,  Cheddie and Killer.

Staged by the Full-Bloom entertainment group headed by McAllister the event is sponsored by GT&T, ANSA McAl, Giftland, F&T designs, K&R Auto Spares, White Castle and Wind Jammers as well as HJTV.

Posted on

18-year-old finds largest cash amount in Merry Mansion

$1.132M hidden in Manion for next search

Ranole Bourne, age 18, of Durban Street Wortmanville missed a few hours of his prom night last week but has more than 100,000 reasons to celebrate nonetheless. He was one of five who were selected in the first batch to search the Merry Mansion for $1Million cash and managed to find seven envelopes.

In those envelopes his cash totaled $146,000. As the person who found the most cash he qualifies to be in the Merry Mansion for another search next week. A exhausted but beaming Bourne said: “The search was kinda tricky because it was first time search but next week I will be finding much more.” This was minutes before heading off to prepare for his prom. The Richard Ishmael graduate gained passes in seven subjects at the 2009 Caribbean Examinations Council.

Other cash finders were Lynette David who found $105,000 and said she has already topped up with $500 and has also received her message as being in the Digicel pool for likely selection to the top fifteen for the next search.

Kim McCalmont represented her daughter and found $40,000. As she waved the cash she said “I’ll be topping up even more now with my phone cause with Digicel you always win and I want to search this time for me self.”

Berbician Pertab Singh found $65,000 and said he will be using the money to assist with ongoing construction of his house. “Buddy, the search was exciting and me gun be topping up even more cause they got a lot of millions to win and I could do with it to finish me house.”

Winston Gonsalves searched and found $11,000 cash and he said:”This going towards buying credit for sure because I now leave with $11,000 that I did not come with that thanks to Digicel.”

Over all the competitors won in excess of $367, 000 leaving in excess of $632,500 that will be added to next week’s Merry Mansion search.

For the next show, searchers will be looking for $1, 132,500 in the Merry Mansion. Digicel official say that the competition is one of the company’s many ways of giving back to its supporters. In addition to the cash that they found, all five of the participants were presented with new Nokia E63 internet ready cellular phone handsets. Persons qualify for a chance to be in the Merry Mansion simply by topping up their Digicel phones to the value of $500 credit while post paid customers as asked to pay their bills on time to qualify. Fifteen persons are selected randomly through a computerized process via a live show on NCN and qualify to visit the mansion but with the help of Santa clause and his elf only five make it into the mansion where millions of dollars can be found.

Posted on

Hits and Jams gets Tourism award

“This is both a privilege and an honour to us as a young group and it will certainly serve as a motivator to us. We hope other entertainment providers will be motivated to up their game to make Guyana a Tourism/Entertainment hub.”

These were the words of Hits and Jams Director Kerwin Bollers after he joined his brother Dwight, and good friend Kerwin Bollers, to receive the award for “Mega Entertainment Promoters” at this year’s Tourism Awards ceremony.

The event was held recently at the Guyana International Conference Centre.

The group is high in praise for corporate Guyana and the thousands of local fans who believe in their ventures and continually support them.

“Like every other group we started promoting to make money and even when we did not make any we were heartened that the people were happy and satisfied from the heart.

“We promoted then for everyone and will continue to offer entertainment and tourism attractions and opportunities to develop the entertainment industry for everyone and at the same time show that there is more to Guyana than negativity,” said Rawle Fergusson.

Remaining humble, the group said years ago “if we were told that we would be receiving a Guyana Tourism Ministry award we would have laugh but here we are and are even more motivated with this recognition.”

Over the years aside from promoting  international stage shows featuring the crème de la crème of international acts they have also  served as brokers for many other promoters to access  international artistes.  Further the group is also the lone promotions outfit that manages a television station that provides 24 hours of local and international entertainment.

Hits and Jams has also produced and maintained probably the most lucrative and largest mass-based supported tourism event – the Jamzone Summer Break Weekend and the Miss Jamzone pageant.

The rationale behind the award is that Hits and James group from a private perspective has organized and promoted mega events locally at levels that are yet to be paralleled by any other local promotions group.

Tourism Ministry officials recognise Hits and Jams as being the most innovative and creative international/local organizers who continue to churn out international events on the local shores.

Posted on

‘Infatuation’ proves a true fashion season opener

John Lewis Styles and the Pegasus Hotel have started off the Holiday season by pulling off an almost perfect fashion show that featured pieces from the clothing store’s 2009 Christmas Fashion Collection. The fashion show dubbed ‘Infatuation’ was held at the Pegasus Hotel’s pool side last Saturday evening.

A minor lack of accommodation caused small discomfort for some, and this was due to the obviously unexpected crowd turn out. A few onlookers were forced to stand to catch a glimpse of the models on stage, while some craned their necks to see the runway from behind the hotels foliage.

On the other hand, the 120 pieces were superbly put together by the lovely Jerrylee Lewis, wife of John Lewis. The outfits were selected from newly arrived pieces before being donned by the 10 models.

The fashion show was separated into four segments: casual wear, formal wear, club wear and office wear. The 10 models showed off three pieces each, strutting down a green carpeted runway, which was highlighted with excellent lighting and fog effects.

A slight hiccup occurred with the runway, as at the very front of the models’ walkway, a section of the carpeting became loose and could have proven to be a major disaster for the models in three to four inch heels.

The unruly carpet was then fastened with a few staples during the show, right before a model took to the stage by a swift handyman. The models and crowd could then breathe freely.

Mrs. Lewis arrangements ranged from sultry and sexy evening and party wear to prim and suave office-wear. The casual wear was as the name suggests – casual as most of the garments that fell under casual wear were well suited for a day out on the town.

The event was scheduled to start at 19:30 hrs at the Pegasus Hotel Pool side, and this marks the second time that the two business entities have collaborated. The event was labelled “Infatuation” because “the word infatuation highlights one of life’s most sought after emotions; love and the adrenaline of being infatuated,” said a press statement from John Lewis Styles.