PraiseFest to honour gospel stalwarts

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Multi-Grammy award-winning song bird Pastor Shirley Caesar will be among more than 30 awardees at the inaugural PraiseFest Awards ceremony, which will unfold next Wednesday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Caesar and the Reverend Dr V.T. Williams, of the Jamaica Evangelistic Centre, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while well-known personalities such as businessman Robert Levy, Dr Henley Morgan, Father Richard HoLung, gospel group Grace Thrillers; and international acts Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Minister Byron Cage will be among those to be recognised in various categories.

Entertainment will come from Saxaphonist Garfield Lawrence, Bobby Jones Choir, Sandra Jackson and Shirley Caesar. The event will be hosted by Bobby Jones of BET gospel fame.

"You must attend this red-carpet affair as we will be honouring stalwarts of the gospel who have served in a variety of areas throughout the last 50 years," said Minister Lorna Chambers, one of the driving forces behind the staging of the event. "This ostentatious event will be an evening of excellence and will be the place to be and be seen."

The event, which is endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board and sponsored by LIME, LOVE 101 FM, and Caribbean Producers of Jamaica (CPJ), will also feature a two-day concert series, which is free to the public. Other activities include a concert, a Leaders Seminar, school visits, a health fair, and a youth symposium

The concert will feature a host of international acts and local performers including the legendary Shirley Caesar and Grammy award winner, Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage and William McDowell. Local acts will include Goddy Goddy, Kerron Ennis, Jermaine Edwards and Bridgett Blucher, among others.

Last year's successful staging of the PraiseFest, which attracted more than 25,000 patrons, was highlighted by the ever popular Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin, Casting Crowns, David and Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbett and Papa San.