Mr Michael Cummins (left) the
Chairman of the Flame Awards Committee addressed the audience
of the Flame Awards 2006 at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium
on Saturday March 3rd 2007. The event was conceptualized in
2001 and the first presentation was help at the Sherbourne
Conference Centre in 2002. The Flame Awards is all about encouragement
"We think it is necessary to encourage our Christian
artistes to develop their music as well as the other artistic
expressions like dance, drama, etc. We have now encapsulated
our aims and objectives in our mission statement: "Rewarding
excellence is our purpose".
Gospel performers in the Caribbean have been
urged to unite on a regional level, in an effort to improve
the present fortunes of the gospel music industry. <
Read more >
A number of well-dressed, anxious
nominees settled into the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on March
3 for what would be the 6th annual Flame Awards. And by the
end of the night, though only some of them were called into
the winners circle, the artistes can all take a bow as they
have heeded the call to remain Committed to a
Cause
"There is too much talent
in our neck of the world to ignore it." He commented
that there was a serious request to produce new worship music.
"We are producing some of the best in music in various
areas so why not in Gospel?" He thanked the secular radio
stations for playing Gospel music and complimented the Christian
radio stations for supporting the local artists, as well as
pleading with CBC to update some of their music files! He
encouraged all the media to give more exposure to local and
regional Gospel artists.
Seen here the MC 'Sunshine' from the very
popular Love FM radio station.
Ian Estwick, CEO of the National
Cultural Foundation stated at the Flame Awards that a Gospel
show was to be added to this years Crop Over calendar which
was in keeping with the festivals aim of being 'more than
a carnival' covering as many different interests as possible.
Mr Estwick congratulated organiser, Mike Cummins, for following
through with his vision for the local Gospel industry and
showing his faith in it by taking it to the Sir Garfield Sobers
Gymnasium in the first place. "We at the NCF understand
too well the magnitude of effort that is required to host
an event of this size" Mr Eastwick also commended the
show's longevity as well as the fact that it recognised current
trends and varied its categories accordingly. He was pleased
to see that many of the awards went to young artists, stating
that the young generation of Gospel performers were part of
the legacy left by pioneers such as Joseph Niles and Sister
Marshall to mention to few.
The Awards are an example of
the myriad talents we have in the bosom of the Christian community.
Barbados
Gospelfest was established in
1993 by the Barbados Tourist Board (BTB). The festival was
the brainchild of the then Minister of Tourism Wes Hall, now
Rev. Wes Hall. In 1995 the responsibility for the production
of the festival was passed on to the Gospelfest Organising
Committee made up of persons from the Christian community,
chaired by Barbadian event manager Adrian Agard. Adrian was
at the Flame Awards 2006 to pick up the sought after
Vision Award.
The event was divided into six presentations
covering various artists. Flame Awards are hoping that by rewarding
our Gospel artistes they would see the need to aim for excellence
in everything they do. CLICK
to meet the winners.
Making special guest appearances along with
the artistes celebrating 25 years of achievement are Rommel,
Allison Norville-Forde, Jesus Army, Praise Academy of Dance
(boys), Image, Sheldon Hope and Ria Greene CLICK
and enjoy!
