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By Lisa Canton
- Gospel group Judah Praise representing St. Thomas, USVI was awarded the prestigious 2006 Marlin Award for Calypso/Soca
Recording of the Year. They received 2 nominations for their hit gospel tune “Hoorah for Jesus” on their
album entitled “Pass Over.” This afforded Judah Praise and their ministry to be true trend setters
by being the first gospel group from St. Thomas to ever win a coveted Marlin Award. Judah Praise, which has
been in existence for 4 years, consists of Julie Merrifield, Director; Verona Hutchinson, Myra Penn and
Latoya Rabsatt (Rabsatt is no longer a member, but her skills and talent have been recognized as part of the awarded
album which was recorded in 2004) all have proven themselves to be anointed ministers of music. Joyce Comissiong, Manager
for Judah Praise, stated how proud she is of her group winning this prestigious award. To the delight of the audience in Nassau,
Bahamas, they performed their award winning tune and proved to all that they are truly deserving of this award.
Other gospel artists representing St. Thomas in receiving Marlin Award nominations were Belinda Telemaque who received
the most nominations this year, 7 in total for her “He Loves Me” album, and Of God, which received
1 nomination for “Summer.” The Lansiquot Sisters, representing St. Croix, USVI, put the whole venue
on notice with their tight harmonizing skills and truly blessed the crowds with their high spirited stage presence. Even though
they were not nominated this year, look for nominations to come their way in the near future. Of God also performed
a moving worship performance at the Marlin Fest. DeAnna Wattley, representing Tortola, BVI, received 2 nominations
for her “Praise Medley.” So all of the Virgin Islands, US & British were truly represented in high
style by their elite gospel artists!
The 2006 Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards was held on July 20 – July 23, 2006, located at Bahamas Faith Ministries
International (BFMI), in the Diplomat Centre, where the Honorable Dr. Myles Monroe is the Senior Pastor, in Nassau,
Bahamas. Kevin “Minister K” Harris of Harris Communications, founder and president of the Caribbean Gospel
Music Marlin Awards, presents this program every two years, and this year they celebrated their 10th anniversary.
“This year’s show is being videotaped as a “pilot” that is being taken to quite a few networks, so
look for the Marlins to be on television in the near future and we want to move the show outside of the Bahamas!” stated
Harris. The Marlins, as it is affectionately known throughout the Caribbean gospel music industry is touted as the classiest
awards show, being produced in such a high spirit of excellence that it has taken Caribbean gospel music to higher levels.
It recognizes and rewards Caribbean gospel artists and music industry leaders specializing in presenting the gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ in a wide variety of praise and worship genres; from Rake & Scrape and Junkanoo, to Calypso, Soca, traditional
gospel, Zouk (Creole/French), and Contemporary (Dancehall) Reggae. “The Marlins is presented just like the Grammy Awards
in Hollywood,” claimed one patron.
The Marlins production staff moved as a tight group in sync with each other and it was amazing to see the precision. This
was just the beginning of the high spirit of excellence witnessed in Nassau. As all of the artists, nominees, presenters,
and media groups were trickling in on the island, the Marlins production team increased the precision.
They transported all industry leaders from their respective hotels to BFMI (where all scheduled events took place) via
several vans. These van rides throughout the stay were amazing because you never knew who would be in the van when they came
to pick you up. The conversations in these vans were awesome, watching and listening as these leaders in Caribbean gospel
music networked and linked up with each other was astounding within itself. As a reporter of the event, I had the honor of
being chauffeured in vans with gospel artists such as DJ Nicholas, Jamaica (2 Marlins; New Artist of the Year &
Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year Duo/Group), Kerron Ennis, Jamaica (2 Marlins; Reggae Recording of
the Year and Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year Duo/Group, Judah Praise, St. Thomas, VI (1 Marlin;
Calypso/Soca Recording of the Year), Mark Mohr, US, CEO for Lion of Zion Entertainment (1 Marlin; Foreign
Achievement Award and a Marlin Global Gospel Music Summit Workshop Presenter), and Mark’s wife Avion Blackman,
Trinidad (3 Marlins; Album of the Year, Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year Female, and Packaging of the
Year), and there were quite a few nominees and performers in the vans also such as The Lansiquot Sisters, St. Croix,
VI, who mesmerized the crowds each night with their tight harmonizing skills; The Heavenlies, Belize, (1 Nomination;
Calypso/Soca Recording of the Year),who were so kind to give up their seats on the van late one night and while riding
in these vans they graciously sang Happy Birthday in a “cool island stylee” to Mary Worthey of Worthey
Travel which was great fun. Also included in these wonderful van rides were several radio broadcasters, DJ Evangel
and DJ Psalms 150, San Diego; and DJ Linda “Chocolate” Bertheir, St. Lucia.
The Marlin Global Gospel Music Summit Workshop provided the following presenters who gave helpful information to their
audience of Caribbean gospel artists, and those in ministries of promotions, management, booking, and radio:
Cleve “Stitchie” Lang, Gospel artist (4 Marlins; Dee-Jay Vocal Performance of the Year Solo, Dancehall
Recording of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Producer of the Year) Topic: “How to Balance Industry
& Ministry”
Mark Mohr, CEO Lion of Zion Entertainment, (2006 Recipient of the Foreign Contribution Marlin Award) Topic: “How
to Become a Successful Independent Artist”
Pastor Mark Bethel, Director of Fine Arts BFM, Topic: “How to Effectively Prepare for Full-Time Ministry”
Kevin “Minister K” Harris, President of Marlin Awards, Topic: “How to Package your Album for
Radio & Retail”
Kerry Douglas, CEO Gospel Truth Magazine, Topic: “Publishing, Distribution, & Promotion”
The Marlin Fest 2006 held on Friday, was a concert that allowed you to see live performances of some of the nominees from
all over the world and it was a great starter to get everyone’s spirits on high for the upcoming award show. All performances
were outstanding and again, kudos to the Marlins Award production staff, they showcased quite a lot of artists in a timely
fashion.
As the crowds started filing in BFMI for the Marlin Awards Show on Sunday evening, everyone came in with high expectations
hoping that their choices would be 2006 Marlin Award winners. The dress code was very formal, so all of the women wore beautiful
gowns and most of the gentlemen who were on stage kept announcing that their wife was the best dressed lady in the
house! Harris Communications provided outstanding lighting, audio, and stage management! Quite a few artists mentioned this
in agreement also. DJ Chocolate, St Lucia, and DJ Jamie Thomas, Trinidad, were the official emcees of the awards
show. There were great performances in between the category presentations, but the most outstanding performance of the evening
was from Stitchie (highest winner -4 Marlins) with his tune “Fast & Pray.” He lit up the venue
with his high jumps and fast spitting lyrics on how he will continue to fast and pray that world renowned reggae artists such
as Beenie Man, Elephant Man, and Capelton, (just to name a few) will become born again Christians. Judah
Praise performing their award winning “Hoorah for Jesus”, Landlord with Solo performing
“We Need Peace”, Adrian Edgecrombe and the Bahamas Harvest Choir performed a wonderful traditional
medley; and Harmonious Praise, Bahamas, Jah Pickney, Canada, and Avion Blackman were also amongst those
who performed.
This Marlins Award program was done in the highest spirit of excellence and the standard for Caribbean gospel music has
definitely been raised and was presented at its best! It doesn’t matter what Caribbean island you represent, or even
if you represent the big islands called America, Europe, or Africa, it doesn’t matter what denomination you represent,
we are all one. This was truly evident at the 2006 Gospel Music Marlin Awards in Nassau, Bahamas.
Lisa Canton
KULCHA GOSPEL
P.O. Box 140282,
Gainesville, FL 32614-0282 USA;
(352) 870-7681 = cell
(352) 271-4854 = fax
Kulchagospel@hotmail.com |
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