Dalton Harris, OMI, George Nooks for ‘Musical Conversation’ – Virtual concert aims to give back, entertain | Entertainment

In a pre-COVID-19 period, Digicel Soaring Stars finalist Jodian Pantry would by now be placing the ultimate touches to her annual New Year’s Working day concert staged in Clarendon, ‘Gospel Tenacity’. The party will not see the light of working day on January 1, 2021, but Pantry is undaunted and refuses to buckle less than the stress brought on by the pandemic. Alternatively, she has opted to go the digital route, with a concert titled ‘Musical Conversation’, to be streamed on Xmas Working day and yet again on December 26. And, as usual, she has the assist of her wide circle of friends in the audio market.

For this concert, Pantry has assembled an interesting mix of entertainers, together with an aggregation of former Digicel Soaring Stars (DRS) competition. Among them are Soaring Stars and ‘X-Factor’ winner Dalton Harris Sherlon Russel, 2019 DRS winner Jody-Kay James, 2015 DRS winner Nickeisha Barnes, DRS finalist OMI, Jamila Falak, Sheldon Shepherd of No-Maddz, George Nooks and twelve-year-old Maylyn Dillon. Also advertised is a different DRS finalist, Lenya Wilks, who now resides in Canada, but regrettably, she was not able to history her general performance owing to tightened COVID-19 limitations in that region.

“Lenya will be sending an apology message mainly because her complete place in Canada is on shutdown, inclusive of studios. She would have long gone into a studio to history her set, but she does not have obtain mainly because of what is happening in her neck of the woods,” Pantry reported.

She told The Gleaner that it was rather easy to get a commitment from the artistes to carry out at this cost-free party mainly because of their prolonged-standing friendships and their numerous shared memories. She pointed out that this is the form of like and unity that is necessary to combat the ravages of the havoc-producing COVID-19 virus.

“Lenya Wilks and I were in the exact same batch of Digicel Soaring Stars [in] 2007, and Jody Kay and Nickeisha Barnes are my sisters for lifestyle. OMI and I are from Clarendon. We have recognized each individual other before Cheerleader (OMI’s intercontinental hit) and he seriously supports me in my attempts of becoming good in society. We are both of those happy of each individual other based mostly on our humble beginnings. George Nooks is like a significant brother to me, and I am one particular of his largest supporters. I feel in him and his present of singing,” she reported.

Dalton Harris, whose past general performance in Jamaica was at Reggae Sumfest in 2019, shares a exclusive romantic relationship with Pantry. She recalled that it was he who identified her all through his time on Digicel Soaring Stars and questioned for her assistance. She shared, “We would invest a pair hrs at Uncle Mikey’s studio (producer Mikey Bennett) in Winery City, and we would also do some singing and dancing inside of the lodge health club at Knutsford Court docket. I would take some time off every time he would phone upon me to assist with his journey in whichever modest way I could,” she defined. Harris, who is based mostly in England, has presently recorded a portion of his general performance online video, regardless of having critical problems with lockdown concerns in the United Kingdom.

AN Psychological Activity

The secular-turned-gospel artiste reported that placing alongside one another the concert was quite an emotional undertaking. “December is recognized for its festivities, and ordinarily we glance ahead to watchnight services, Grand Sector, the waterfront practical experience for the fireworks, and so much extra. This year we rejoice on the inside of, and whilst carrying out this party will make me sense seriously fantastic, it also will make me extremely emotional,” Pantry reported.

She added, “Usually, when I do situations the assist would be larger, but mainly because of the pressure COVID has place on people and business enterprise, issues are just not the exact same any longer. That will make me emotional, mainly because most people just desires their livelihood to be intact.”

She lamented the actuality that there are some artistes and musicians who have not performed at even one particular party since March. “The artistes for this party also have been negatively impacted by the COVID novelty, and so it was easy for them to hold my hands for this initiative.

“This is extremely heart-wrecking for us as entertainers, mainly because the carrying out arts world and audio market is ours. This is how we butter our bread, and it just was not that for 2020.”

But the Christian entertainer is nevertheless counting her blessings. “I rarely did something, other than for corporate, but I am nevertheless grateful. To God be the glory, I am nevertheless dwelling up and I’m not providing up. I have the assist of my partner constantly, every time I am hoping to do a thing worthwhile, a thing that can influence. And that is particularly what I continue to do and place myself out there as the female who cares, who loves her enthusiasts, her supporters. I am here for them all through audio. Due to the fact as you know, audio heals,” Pantry reported.

The pre-recorded party, which will be premiered virtually on Xmas Working day, will also be aired on neighborhood television stations later in the 7 days.

Musical Conversations is powered by Richmond Estate, which is really the title sponsor, Tv Jamaica, Sagicor, Earth Models Solutions, RETV, Howards Boutique, Ocus Pokus nail salon, Severe Designs and Mint Media.

“Our principal intent in coming alongside one another is to convenience the hearts of the Jamaican men and women. This exhibit was conceptualised to convey entertainment into the households of the Jamaica populace and individuals overseas virtually, also most importantly to give back,” Pantry reported.

The organisers, through the Jodian Pantry Basis, will make a presentation of tablets to a group of presently-identified college students.

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