More about the fans - EME awards organiser wants to give more access

Sadeke Brooks, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Organiser Richard 'Richie B' Burgess is promising greater public access for a new and improved Excellence in Music (EME) and Entertainment Awards this year.

Since its inception in 2008, the show has been held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel during February. However, this year it will be held on March 12 at the East Lawn, Devon House, Hope Road.

Burgess said a decision was made to change the date of the event to a day on the weekend, instead of a Thursday evening, so more people would be able to attend. He said the intention was to keep the event on a weekend in February, but there were no weekends suitable to stage the event.

In addition, he said the date was more convenient for his international guests.

"We are still maintaining the garden setting and we will be able to accommodate more persons than in the past," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

In accommodating more people, Burgess will also be opening the doors of EME to the general public, who will be able to buy their general and VIP tickets in coming weeks.

"I've been getting a lot of angry potential patrons who say they want to be there," he said.

Their patronage at the event will help to fund the event, which has had sponsorship woes in the past.

"It is a way of assisting in defraying some of the costs associated with this mammoth production. It allows us to do a little bit more in terms of taking the event in the direction we want to go," Burgess said.

While a lot more assistance is still needed, he said the show will receive endorsement from the Jamaica Tourist Board, which comes with a cash element. He said they have also been getting support from service providers.

This year's show will also have a few international guests. It will be hosted by United States-based comedian Raymond 'Rayzor' Davis. He will join rapper Trina, who was previously announced as the International Friend of Reggae and who will also be performing at the show. International superstar Eve has also been added to the bill and will be performing with Lady Saw, doing the song He's At My House. The song is included on Lady Saw's My Way album.

"I think they will add a new dimension and a different level of energy and enhance the theme this year, which is 'The best of both worlds - connecting reggae with its hip-hop offspring'," Burgess told The Sunday Gleaner, noting that the audience might also be surprised by another international guest.

There will also be performances by local acts such as Jah Cure, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw, Etana, Wayne Wonder, Tifa, Andrew Tosh, No-Maddz, Toya, Kahlil, Leba Hibbert and others.

Veteran artiste Ernie Ranglin will be honoured and a tribute will be paid to Gregory Isaacs who died last year.

He added that the nominees' announcement show was scheduled to be recorded on Friday and will be aired after.

In previous years, the public accounted for 30 per cent of the votes, while the other 70 per cent was based on the nominees' performances on the charts. This time around, the winners will be determined solely by text and voting on the website, www.emeawards.com.

"This year, we want to make it straight public voting. It is more foolproof and it takes the burden off those organising the event. It is more acceptable," Burgess told The Sunday Gleaner, noting that voting will run for approximately four weeks.

Change structure

There will also be changes in how the show is structured.

"One of the problems that we have had is that people say the show is long and drawn out. We are cutting down on the number of awards given out on the main stage. We are working out a way to hand out the other awards on a smaller stage," he said.

Burgess said only 15 awards will be announced on the main stage. This, he said, will allow more time for more solid entertainment. The show will be followed by an after-party at the venue.

Prior to the 8 p.m. start, there will be a red-carpet show from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

At this point, guests will be interviewed by various media entities as they strut the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Burgess said preparations for the event had been going well, as he had expanded his team with more professional support.

With most things going as planned, Burgess said he was expecting a good show.

"Because of the response we are getting, I think the place is going to be jam-packed and tickets will be sold out. My expectation is that this will be a positive talking point for the industry for years to come. I am looking forward to producing a first-world event," he told The Sunday Gleaner.