Ruben Studdard heads to Palmyra
Published:Saturday | February 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau: The 2003 American Idol Ruben Studdard will headline The Palmyra Foundation's benefit concert at the Palmyra Resort and Spa, Montego Bay next Saturday.
Studdard joins a star-studded line-up that includes Third World, the indomitable Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser pair, and rising sensation Tessanne Chin who will kick-start the Valentine's weekend event, which starts on Friday.
Celebrated for his collection of soulful love songs, Studdard, described as 'The Velvet Teddy Bear', rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol, and brings a special brand of magic to the fund-raising event. The line-up, guaranteed by The Foundation's spokesperson, Ragni Trotta, to make the crowds get off their feet, also features Jamaican jazz and blues icon Myrna Hague and the Dwight Richards band.
"We are very excited about this weekend and think that both evenings will be very special in their own right, because they take place in completely different settings at The Palmyra Resort & Spa. The Tropical Reggae Beach Party is more of a casual event and we are delighted happy to have Third World as headliners. All the food and drink for the evening has been donated by local sponsors, which is why we are able to include this in the ticket price. I cannot think of any other place in the world that I have experienced such generosity from the business community," said Trotta.
formal event
She noted that Saturday would be a more formal event around the poolside to honour and thank the sponsors.
"Since we were able to bring in such a big star as Ruben Studdard, we are making a limited number of tickets available to the public to raise as much money as possible for the 2010-2011 school year."
Last year The Foundation distributed 7,000 books to 2,000 pre-K and kindergarten children in St James and one school in Hanover.
"To me, the most incredible thing about this weekend is the way the community has come together to make the events possible. The amount of support we have received from local businesses is absolutely tremendous, - we just cannot thank everyone enough. I think it is because everyone recognises that getting books to children at an early age is so important. Also, our sponsors get to personally hand out books to the children, which is an incredibly fulfilling experience. They really get to see where the money goes," Trotta explained.
Like the children who will benefit from the event, Ruben Studdard's story perfectly embodies the message that you can be successful if you are willing to work towards achieving your goal.
"He is an inspiration to us all," said Trotta.
destiny
Studdard's musical talent was evident from an early age. He started singing in the Cherub Choir at the Rising Star Baptist Church at the tender age of three. By the age of seven, he was singing at school, in various churches and at local functions. In 2003, the Alabama A&M University music major's destiny was forever changed when he accompanied a fellow singer to an "American Idol" audition in Nashville. Remembers Studdard: "I just went to support her."
Everyone knows what happened next. Former judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, who remains on the talent show sent Studdard to Hollywood, where he advanced from a semi-final round into the top 12 and quickly became America's favourite, surviving all eliminations to win the title of 'American Idol' in a dramatic finale on May 21, 2003.
Sponsored by Rainforest Seafood, Caribbean Producers Jamaica and The Ministry of Agriculture/RADA, Palmyra's executive chef, Scott Simpson, will be providing patrons with delicious fare from several action food stations, while Marguerite's restaurant will be showing off its culinary skills with its own action station.
Plenty of champagne, wine, rum, beer and drinks will be made available to patrons courtesy of sponsors 1876 Wines, Appleton Rum, J. Wray & Nephew, Corona Extra, Ocean Spray, WATA, Coca Cola and Jablum Coffee. The Gleaner Company Ltd is also a sponsor.