Clarendon awards to fight crime

Sadeke Brooks, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

With the hope of shedding some positive light on his parish, promoter David Anderson will be hosting the Clarendon Music Awards. For years, the parish has been plagued by crime and violence, but Anderson said he wants to remove this negative image.

"It kinda have a negative image in terms of the crime. This will take people's minds off what is going on. On the outside looking, there is a lot of negative associated with Clarendon, but there are places here just as nice as any other parish. I want to redevelop my parish," Anderson told The Sunday Gleaner.

Since starting promotions for the event, Anderson said he had also been seeing a lot of new and upcoming talent coming forward.

"What we have noticed is that a lot of people who had a lot of talent are starting to come out some more with their talent. It gives an opportunity for emerging talent to shine," Anderson said.

The Clarendon Music Awards will be held on February 12 at the Quarry, Bustamante Highway in May Pen, Clarendon.

Anderson said he decided to start the award show because it had never been done there, though the parish had produced many top names.

The Clarendonions, Millie Small, Barrington Levy, Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor, Coco Tea, Liz Mitchell, Denroy Morgan, and I-Octane are just some of those names.

"It is mainly for people from Clarendon, but it is also for people who have made significant contributions to Clarendon's music," he said.

Anderson explained that there were over 50 categories, determined by his team and the public. Some of the categories are for musicians, artistes, promoters, entertainment companies, and dancers.

Voting began for the award show more than a month ago via text messages, phone calls, and emails.

"We have at least 7,400 votes coming to each phone daily. It's tedious, but at the end of the day, it is going to be very rewarding 'cause right now Clarendon Music Awards is like table talk. It is a historical event," said Anderson, noting that the event would be creating jobs in the parish.

While he is helping to place the spotlight on the parish through the show, he is doing this with very little financial aid.

"No major sponsor has come on-board, but we have interests. So it is pretty much personal funding that we use to stage this event. But by next year, we will be refusing sponsors based on the buzz that it is creating. It's hard to convince them 'cause they want to see it go off first," Anderson said.

He noted that small businesses within the parish had come on-board to sponsor some of the categories. Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, Mike Henry, will also be presenting a special award for outstanding contribution in music or entertainment. In addition, Derrick Morgan will be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Although the event is in its first staging, the expectations are high.

"Everyone that I have touched base with loves the idea. The feedback is very positive and I have great expectations for this event," Anderson told The Sunday Gleaner.