Last Updated: Thursday, March 18, 2010 : 1:29 AM
Home / News _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
News
Bajans star at football show
Barbadian artistes (from left) Vita Chambers, Hal Linton and Shontelle, just after their performance at the half-time show of the NFL's Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers game. (GP)
Published on: 11/27/2009.
by TONY BEST
A LAUNCH INTO international stardom or a clear message that there is more to Barbados than being an outstanding tourism destination?
Perhaps, it was a mix of both when three young up-and-coming international songbirds from Barbados - 16-year-old Vita Chambers; Hal Linton, 23, and Shontelle, 25 - were given what is being considered a chance of a lifetime career booster to open and star in the halftime entertainment show at the Silverdome in the United States' National Football League's (NFL) traditional Thanksgiving Day game.
It was watched by an estimated 22 million football fans across the United States and around the world. All three Bajans have music contracts with Motown-Universal and SRP, a music production company headed by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers.
"I hope the whole of Barbados is watching," Chambers told the WEEKEND NATION just before going onto the field to open the entertainment segment of the game which was a tribute to the famous music label Motown that's celebrating its 50th anniversary.
"This means a lot to me to be able to do this, to be invited to sing before 70 000 people in the stadium and before a live television audience of millions. It's a chance of a lifetime. It certainly means a great deal, quite a lot to all of us and I hope that Barbadians would see it."
The game and performances were televised yesterday afternoon live on the Fox Channel on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation's Multi-Choice TV, with the Bajans on show just after 3 p.m. Barbados time.
Chambers, who like the others - according to music critics and executives in the United States - is destined for stardom, probably matching if not surpassing Rihanna, opened the show with a Motown hit.
She said that with her album coming out next year, the appearance was an "unbelievable opportunity for me and the three other Barbadians".
Linton, another youthful singer with a bright future, sang the immortal hit by Marvin Gaye Heard It Through The Grapevine.
He was "still in awe, not understanding the magnitude of it", after being invited to sing during the abbreviated show which was sponsored by the NFL and United Way to recognise Motown's contribution to the world of music.
"This is Motown's 50th anniversary and I am saying, 'Oh my gosh, I am here before all of these people and on live television, this is unbelievable,'" Linton said. "This is an opportunity I will definitely not forget."
Shontelle, who helped to close out the six-minute performance that featured half-dozen outstanding artistes, described it as "definitely a major opportunity to appear live before such a large audience and to be a part of a 50th anniversary celebration for Motown which has given the world such legendary artistes as the Supremes, Jackson Five, Michael Jackson and Marvin Gay."
"I have had the opportunity since leaving Barbados to appear in a large stadium and arena and that was always exciting," she said. "But it was nothing like this. The fact that it is being broadcast live, literally it kind of blows your mind. I really can't believe it is happening."
Yes, it did happen.
Evan Rogers, the American music producer who discovered Rihanna in Barbados and brought her to the United States and played a major role in launching her into superstardom, described all of the artistes as "superstars" and "to have three of them from Barbados is an incredible moment for Barbados".
He said their appearance should draw national and international attention to Barbados as a place of immense musical talent just waiting to be nourished.
"There is an unbelievable amount of talent in the country and what happened on Thanksgiving Day is bound to bring more attention to the country as a destination for tourists and everything else," he added. "These artistes from Barbados are a delight to work with and we are expecting their albums which should come out in the first quarter of next year to do extremely well. They are really fresh faces, singers with a lot of talent."
SRP's Sturken and Rogers are often credited with working alongside Def Jam Records and Jay-Z to transform Rihanna from an unknown quantity to a popular singer with a global following.
"We are expecting the same thing for Chambers, Shontelle and Linton," added Rogers, the husband of Jackie Rogers, a Barbadian.
"The three singers are outstanding singers and they are doing extremely well," Jackie added.
The game in Detroit was between the Lions and the Green Bay Packers.
To relive the moment, click here to watch a video of the performance.
37 comment found!
Rihanna : 12/3/2009
DUMB-DUMB LEAVE RIHANNA ALONE STOP COMPARING HER TO OTHER BARBADIAN SINGERS. LEAVE HER BARBWIRE ALONE. SHE IS THE THE BEST. WHEN YOU TOUCH RIHANNA YOU TOUCH ME. GO AND DO YOUR DIRTY LAUNDRY.
: 12/2/2009
Pound for pound to use a boxing analogy, Barbados has always had the potential to be a owrld class country. Economically, and with respect to the quality of life and the standard of living etc, we always get rated very highly by the world bodies.
Our education standards have always been very good and we have never been a nation in turmoil fighting over religion, nationality or politics. The world is now seeing what we bajans always knew and that is we have some awesome musical and athletic talent. I will give props to Auntie Olgo who gave hope to many a small kid with a minute of fame at Redifussion. And in recent times Dick Stoute (our precursor to the much adorned Pop Idol and American Idol Shows), continued this so important talent search with his own Teen Talent show. What a forum for our budding stars to gain much needed exposure and experience! I do not understand why Bajans give Rihanna bad press. I am impressed how she often seems to sneak something about Barbados when she speaks.
All seems good on the land that the Mighty One seems to have blessed with diverse but unique people. Well, not quite. Is it not ironic that the two areas that we have long excelled in, cricket and body building that we now seem to be langusihing in? It just goes to show that one has to stay focussed and keep working to get success as it is not a guaranteed birth right. Talent or skill like a plant or kid needs to be nurtured.
I will close by quoting what a professor asked us in class many years ago when I first came to T.O. When is the The only time success and pay come before work? And the answer......in the dictionary! I am sure my late grandmother must have said this to me in a bajan way but I am not sure. What I am sure of is that generally you do not have to tell a bajan the same thing twice.
To quote the Merrymen, God bless Bim on its 43rd year of independence and to all of its wonderful people wherever they are. I have so many friends I have not seen for years but I try to stay tuned to the pulse of Barbados. Once a bajan, always a bajan. Nuff love from, my kids, family and friends here.
Wayne Lord
Toronto, Canada
: 12/1/2009
Our "LITTLE ROCK" is making strides in the music industry. Rhianna would realize now that she is not the only one and this may probably make her change her attitude. The image of her in wire wrapped around her playing Russian roulette is not a good image. We have been free of chains to some extent for years and there is no need to put chains on ourselves.
Barbados "HAPPY 43rd." KUDOS to the talent that is evolving out of Barbados. There are so many "Gems" rich with talent on our little rock it is unbelievable. God bless Barbados and those aspiring to make Barbados a household name. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU."
BLUE,YELLOW,BLACK: BLUE as the sky, reach for it. YELLOW as the sun, shining radiantly in the sky and Black in all its various shades and beauty. A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
To Hal, Shontelle and Vita good luck.
Make our "LITTLE ROCK" even prouder. God bless.
Jersey Girl.
De women behind de artist! : 12/1/2009
Dont talk bout wa wanna in know. Sonia Mullins is the BAJAN that was behind Shontelle, pushing her and developing her. Teneille Doyle is the BAJAN manager behind Hal Linton who pushed him and even got the government involved with his career. Kerrie Thomas is the BAJAN manager behind Livvi and pushing her. Give dem some credit too. Stop putting Evan Rogers pun a pedestal - all it was was a business opportunity for him. Wanna posting up everything but this.
: 12/1/2009
Good luck to each one of you; hold your head high and don't let the fame get to you. Stay true to yourself and you will go a long way. Also, don't forget who you are and where you came from. Wishing you all a long and sucessful career. Good luck!!!
Hal Linton : 11/30/2009
Noticed no mention but Hal Linton perfomed at the SOUL TRAIN awards last night and he was great.
: 11/30/2009
BARBADOS has lots of talents in many areas but stumbling blocks are put in the way of people and if such people do not force their way and fight for themselves , nothing happens for them. What if Bajan artistes , athletes and business people were given a chance by people in Barbados who have the financial resources to help ? What if ? But the thing is that the people in Barbados who have the financial resources do not care about the development of Barbadian people because a less developed people mean more control by the merchant class. A more developed people means less control and therefore less exploitation and more economic slavery.
talent in bim : 11/29/2009
I wish that goverment would get behine young talent in Barbados and push them like how other countries do,i live abroad but i give support to my people when i hear them not signing playing instruments,find some kind of school program to bring talent out to many going wayside .gman
: 11/29/2009
@ ms. deal with that: We sincerely hope that Rhianna take the $500.000 and buy herself some respect and class also help you too. Now you deal with that.
O.K.?
PRIDE & INDUSTRY : 11/28/2009
BIM is "cranking out" young talented people with a range of skills; who are tapping into their talents and making a living (legal, I might add) for themselves on the world stage. Vita, Hal & Shontelle, keep doing what you do so well! Happy Independence to all.
Dying Culture : 11/28/2009
BIM just seems to be cranking out pop stars now...guess the local culture is dead.
Bajan moving up : 11/28/2009
Blue Yellow Black Blue remember ,these are the colors of our flag keep these colors true .I am one on the proudest Bajans living aboard, and there are many more. Its' our turn to shine. All i ask for is our future stars to remember our country. Let the world know I am a Barbadian. Do credit to our nation.
Deal with that : 11/27/2009
Jackie and Mr Rogers don't need any props we bajans love them and they know that they are welcome here any time.
Rihanna past that road she open the way for them.She is on her way,why would she have to take notes from them.Rihanna is going to be paid five hundred thousand US dollars to sing old years night.Deal with that you haters.
bajan stars : 11/27/2009
it just goes to show that,s it,s not the size of the country .. but the quality of it,s contents . keep moving foward never backwards .. and these talented artists will need all the support that they can get .. i,m proud to be bajan ..
BAJAN STARS : 11/27/2009
Congrats to my bajan brother and sisiters...sorry i miss the game i live in michigan and work about 50 yards ffrom the venue where they perform...they performed at Ford Field....the lions no longer play at the silverdome......
How do I say this : 11/27/2009
@ Georgia Bajan: We have long since gone past the stage in our development & psyche, where another person's disbelief in our artistes' talent, means that our artistes' performance was more "outstanding". Or so I thought! No disrespect to you or your kids!
WOW : 11/27/2009
I enjoyed immensely. Vita looked like she was performing ALL 16 yrs of her life! Hal is an old buddy so I know he was at home on that stage, Shontelle came out blinging in the cadillac!! BAJANS ROCK!! WOOO HOOO!!!
BAJAN STARS : 11/27/2009
TALK ABOUT PERFORMANCE. THAT WAS PERFORMANCE. THANKS FOR THE EXPOSURE MR. & MRS. ROGERS, I'M SURE THAT IF YOU KEEP SEARCHING YOU WILL COME ACROSS MORE TALENT LIKE THIS. RIHANNA, TAKE NOTES AND LEARN WHAT TRUE TALENT IS ABOUT. MY KIDS WERE TELLING ME THEY ARE NOT BAJANS - THAT ALONE SHOULD TELL YOU HOW OUTSTANDING THEIR PERFORMANCE WAS.
GEORGIA BAJAN
Mr. Rogers is the true star : 11/27/2009
I am very proud of these kids and wish them all the best. I can not help but notice that no one is giving props to Jackie and Mr. Rogers for giving them and barbados this kind of expodure. Without Jackie and her husband, Rihanna and and these beautiful young people would find it much more difficult to get this far in such a small span of time.
wendy alleyne : 11/27/2009
I never knew who used to sing these songs like Midnight Blue and Just want to be your friend until recently...Wendy Alleyne had the potential to be a world wide music great... She has such a hauntingly beautiful voice...
Talent : 11/27/2009
Oh that was good I wish them all the best.
When you say you are from Barbados people now know were you are from then I would say go to the Barbados website.
bajan stars : 11/27/2009
I am one proud-happy bajan right now. good going guys baje in NY
Bajan Stars : 11/27/2009
It was a great thrill to see three young Bajans perform at the half time show in Detroit, but surely Tony Best knows it was not at the Silverdome. The game was played in Detroit at Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions have played since 2002.
: 11/27/2009
Move over Rhianna ! Good job guys Bajan in NY
Kudos : 11/27/2009
It would have been good tosee you perform. I am sure you did us proud. Congratulations and I wish all of you the very best for continued success. It's a complex world out there, just stay positively focused.
Retired.
BAJANS SHINE AT FOOTBALL SHOW : 11/27/2009
I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THIS TALENT AND WHEN THEY APPEARED i WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. ACTUALLY, I WASN'T SURE IF THESE WERE THE BAJANS BECAUSE THEIR PERFORMANCE WAS EXCEPTIONALLY SUPER. I WAS SO PROUD OF THEM. THEY WERE OUTSTANDING. RIHANNA COMPARE TO THIS TALENT AND I TELL YOU THAT WAS TALENT OF EXCELLENCE. KEEP SHINING AND STAY HUMBLE YOUNG PEOPLE.
ATL BAJAN
Bajans star at football show : 11/27/2009
Congratulations!!!!
: 11/27/2009
There is just so much talent on this rock, it is unbelievable! Just think if Toni Norville, Edwin or even Wendy Alleyne had had these opportunities! Go to any of the many karaokes in Barbados and the abundance of talent is over flowing! Get ready Grantley Adams, the music executives and talent scouts are on their way! And they should be!!!!!
: 11/27/2009
So So proud of you that I could cry.Size of a country has nothing to do with talent . I know that they are many many more talent in bim just waiting to be discovered. Stay focus but don't allow fame to go to your head. Keep a level head and all of you will reach the stars.
: 11/27/2009
There is no success without effort.Keep up the good work and keep your heads on at all times....
Proud : 11/27/2009
I am the proudest bajan In San Francisco
Bajan Superstars : 11/27/2009
I am so proud of you all... Keep singing, make us proud you were unbelievable I was so proud watching the three of you,, great opportunity to boost our little rock
Bajan in Toronto
They're on their way .. Fantastic!! : 11/27/2009
As a Bajan, I am so proud. "What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve". I wish them much success and will look for their names in the pages of Stardom.
A bajan in there : 11/27/2009
By my living ,doing credit to my nation where ever I go . This is what you all should keep in mind Congrats and remeber our independance days
Bajan star at football : 11/27/2009
First, and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to offer great success and best wishes to you guys. The sky is the limit. However, I would like for all of you to be in tune with god who dwells in each of you, and even though these are excited times in your life, never loose tract of who you are. Also remember, that each and everyone of us are blessed with talents, and god has made it possible for yours to be recognized, so therefore stay positive, and keep focus and give thanks for your god given gifts, and the opportunity to share them with the world.
PS
Bajan starr : 11/27/2009
This is fantastic. Pity this wasn't widely publicised so that everyone could see their young countrymen performing.
Well done : 11/27/2009
I read this article with a heavy heart..for years we have known that our little rock is blessed with talent and all we needed was to be discovered. This does not only restrict to music but sports as well. My years at Coleridge and Parry saw student with imense talent in football and track who never got the opportunity. However I just hope that when they all make it big on the international stage, they can get together and do music together. Well done.
Proud Bajan.
More Local News
TODAY'S CARTOONS
3/17/2010
Most Emailed Stories
Thompson's shuffle(3/10/2010)In honour of my dad(3/14/2010)2 BARRED(3/16/2010)Chaderton-Shaw 'forced out'(3/16/2010)Husbands back on top with Senate pick(3/11/2010)Long ride(3/12/2010)PSV OFF DAY(3/14/2010)TOO RUDE!(3/14/2010)Mottley calls for Clico Memorandum(3/16/2010)PM's Cabinet reshuffle speech(3/10/2010)
Do you think UWI should reduce its intake of students?
 |