Freddie McGregor Rocks Steady at Annual Miami Fest

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By Kevin Jackson

Freddie McGregor and his Big Ship Inc, and Big Ship Foundation in association with Infinite Creative Inc, had entertainment in Miami locked down solidly on the weekend of May 2-5, 2002. McGregor and his associates staged the annual Rocksteady Meets Reggae event at Hialeah Race Track on Sunday, May 5. But prior to that, a number of events were held to serve as precursors leading up to the main event.

Miami fans came out in numbers to support these events prior to the big bang. Kicking off the schedule of events on Thursday, May 2, was a celebration by the city of Hollywood, Florida, honoring Freddie. Mayor Maria Giulanti said that McGregor deserved the keys to the city, and named the day in his honor. She added that based on his involvement in the community, his charitable efforts and involvement in several organizations, he was a suitable candidate to receive the keys to the city of Hollywood.

Dr. Robert Hochstein of the County Line Chiropractic Centre in Florida, whose organization donated a brand new 2002 Honda Civic motorcar which was raffled to raise funds for the Haile Selassie Comprehensive High School in Kingston, endorsed the Mayor's declaration. He said that McGregor had been a patient of his institution and was so pleased with the service that he got that he referred others to the institution. "Freddie asked us to be associated in his events and we decided to get involved based on his charity work and the purpose of his events," said Dr. Hochstein.

"I saw the condition of the Haile Selassie school and I kind of adopted it last year. I spoke to the principal of the school and she gave me a tour of it. I got the chiropractic institution to donate the car to raffle from which all proceeds are going to the school. And in setting that up, I got the Kiwanis to come in and handle the ticket sales," explained McGregor. "I only directed the project to see it get off the ground," added the singer.

McGregor had been doing a lot of promotion for the County Line Chiropractic Institution. He has done not only radio advertisements for them, but has been featured on numerous billboard across the county advertising the institution's services. McGregor disclosed that he is in the process of getting involved in the television advertisements for the chiropractic office.

ALBUM RELEASE BLOCK PARTY WAS WELL ATTENDED

A section of the road leading to the hot and happening Calabash Bar & Grill in Hollywood, was blocked off to accommodate the album release party which was held on Thursday, May 2, to launch Freddie McGregor's latest album "Anything For You" (VP), Paul "Lymie" Murray's "Only Conversation" (Big Ship), and Sanchez' latest disc "Stays on My Mind" (VP). It was a fabulous affair, which attracted scores of fans, industry personnel and fellow entertainers.

Florida-based singer Fiona utilized the opportunity to promoter her new VP album "Wanna Make Love." Later on she joined McGregor, his daughter Yeshemabeth, Lymie, Michael Russell, Sanchez, Tinga Stewart, and others, in a live showcase following the launch. Everyone seemed to have had a good time.

VINTAGE MUSIC REIGNED SUPREME AT PEPPERS CAFE

Over at the Peppers Cafe in Sunrise, Florida, on Friday, May 3, Vintage Link Up featuring Bunny Goodison from Soul Shack, Winston Blake from Merritone, and Gladdy Parker from Wild Bunch Disco, squared off with some good music keeping fans of vintage on their feet all night long. Several of the artistes performing on McGregor's Rocksteady Meets Reggae Show, came through to give support.

ALSO AT STINGERZ NIGHTCLUB IN MIRAMAR

On Saturday, May 4, a pre-show party at the Miramar-based Stingerz Nightclub and Lounge, was attended by a large contingent of fans of die hard rock steady and reggae offerings. Radio personality Jamusa from WAVS 1170 and DJ Yo Yo had patrons dancing till their feet hurt! By the time I left in the wee hours of Sunday morning, others were streaming in. Talk about good music!

ROCKSTEADY MEETS REGGAE PART 2 WAS AN ENTERTAINING SPECTACLE

An entertaining spectacle--that best describes the staging of Rocksteady Meets Reggae at the Hialeah Race track in Florida. With an estimated 5,000 patrons in attendance, and the smell of Jamaican cuisine, patrons came out early to secure a good space to unwind and dwell in the island's cultural potpourri.

Emcees Jamusa, Richard "Richie B" Burgess, David "Squeeze" Annakie, Ron Burke, Clint O'Neil and Tonto Irie from Hot 105 FM, guided the evening's proceedings in a professional manner.

The backing bands Gumption, Millennium, Lloyd Parkes and the We the People band, really worked a good show. The only problem was the technical fowl up with the sound every now and then. But the exciting performances quickly made us pay little notice on the sound quality.

Sanchez and his Chronic Band were crisp and really gave a blistering performance. Other commendable performances came from George Nooks, Freddie McGregor, the I-Threes with reggae recruit, actor Steven Seagal, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Admiral Bailey, Ken Boothe, Daddy U-Roy, Leroy Sibbles, Phyllis Dillon, Bob Andy, Ernie Smith, Dobby Dobson, Tinga Stewart, and Maxi Priest. Early acts Lenn Hammond and Paul Lymie Murray represented well. Screwdriver was in nick form, although many wanted to hear "Sharon a Pregnant you Pregnant." But this was not to be!

Although I am unable to determine whether the show was a financial success, most patrons left with a satisfying look on their faces. It was a relief not hearing any disrespectful lyrics, nor any over hyped or degrading lyrics. Does it have to take the elders to really show these wannabe deejays masquerading around, that good lyrics and good performances make a good entertainer?

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Kevin Jackson is an entertainment writer and publicist from Kingston, Jamaica. He is a freelance writer for the Jamaica Observer and Excess publications.