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Three Bajan artistes hit it big
Barbadian artistes (from left) Shontelle, Hal Linton and Vita Chambers will perform in front of 70 000 people at a US Thanksgiving Day NFL game as part of record label Universal Motown’s 50th anniversary special.
Published on: 10/30/2009.
by BARRY ALLEYNE
THREE OF this country's rising musical stars have hit the big time, earning their biggest gig since easing onto the international market within the past two years.
And 70 000 people will get the chance to see just how good they are.
Hal Linton, Shontelle and teenage prodigy Vita Chambers will get the opportunity of a lifetime on Thanksgiving Day (November 26), when they perform in front of 70 000 people as part of record label Universal Motown's 50th anniversary special.
The three will be part of a six-artiste performance at halftime of a nationally televised National Football League (NFL) game between the home club Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers that will have a television of audience of almost 20 million people.
Linton was originally scheduled to face Barbadian fans over the Independence weekend at a two-day festival at which Prime Minister David Thompson was to be the patron, but bigger clients have come a-calling.
The game will be broadcast across North America, and in front of 70 000 fans at Ford Field indoor stadium in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It will be by far the largest fan base to hear Bajan artistes since Rihanna made it big four years ago.
The thanksgiving game is a staple for American sports fans, as the Lions have played on Thanksgiving Sunday for almost half-a-century, and the NFL is currently on a high as the leading professional sports organisation in the United States.
Linton had been originally booked by Barbadian-based At Last Productions to perform at the Plantation Restaurant at the show Trident Dynasty on November 26 and 27, as part of a festival pushing all local artistes, but that event has now been deferred until next year.
The soul/R&B singer, songwriter and producer who was born on Christmas Day, 1983, was inked to a million-dollar deal by Universal Motown last year, and his debut album Return From The Future is set for release before year-end.
"This is a great chance for Barbados to again showcase its talent and let the world see what we have to offer to the entertainment industry," At Last Productions' director Allison Thomas told the WEEKEND NATION.
"It's a true tribute that on their 50th anniversary, a label like Universal Motown would choose three Barbadians out of six to perform on the national stage in the United States," Thomas said, adding that she had no problem with losing Linton for the local show under the circumstances.
"This show will introduce and reintroduce great Barbadian talent to the world at the same time."
The performance will be a prelude to all three Bajans bringing out albums in the first quarter of 2010.
Chambers, unknown to most Barbadians, is a 15-year-old soft rock prodigy signed by Universal Motown earlier this year. Shontelle earned international recognition in 2007, with her smash hit T-shirt, which topped Billboard for a few weeks.
The other three performances will come from Melanie Fiona, Kem, and rock & roll group Forever The Sickest Kid.
* barryalleyne@ nationnews.com
30 comment found!
GET IT!! : 11/6/2009
GOOD JOB GUYS
IAGREE, BAJAN DON'T THINK BIG : 11/6/2009
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT BAJANS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MANY GUYANESE TAKE THE LOWER CLASS JOB BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BANK JOBS, THE AIR HOSTESS JOBS, ACCOUNTING, MANY INVESTMENT AGENCIES AND MANY MORE WELL PAYING JOB IN BARBADOS ALL TAKEN BY MANY NON NATIONALS OUT THERE STOP WORRYING A BOUT MINER JOB AND START THINKING BIG. INDIANS FROM TRINIDAD AND INDIA ARE TAKING OVER BRIDGETOWN RETAIL SECTOR THINK BIG PEOPLE.
three bajans : 11/4/2009
Many congrats to the three bajan singers. May you all be sucessful in all you do. God bless. britbajan
congrats all three! : 11/1/2009
may they be successful in all that they do...and not go the way of trash.
Congrats : 11/1/2009
Congrats to lal three of you but i am shame to say tho i dont no who Vita is:(
: 11/1/2009
Melanie Fiona althought born in Canada is very proud of her Caribbean heritage which she speaks of in all her interviews. Melanie parents are from Guyana...So big up to the Caribbean...not since Harry Belafonte will Caribbean people be so exposed to such a wide audience of Americans. I guess that is why Rihanna's much anticipated video will be release on ABC instead of MTV. Represent lil ones.
: 11/1/2009
Well done guys Trevor London
All Guyanese are not bad : 10/31/2009
I am a bajan living in New york,I come home to Barbados often, i have guyanese friends here in NY and also in Barbadso when i come home i hang out with some Guyanes friends I have no problems with them. We all know some Guyanese are bad but that is not fair to point a finger at all of them and give them the bad end of the pie. What about the Chinese that are there, are all of them legal? What about the Europeans, the White Americans and all the other whites from other countries that are buying up the land and the Bajans can't even get any of it. Foreigners have the first preference when it comes to buying land in Barbados, that is a down rite shame. I love Barbados and i'm planning on coming back home to live. Proud Bajan love my country Barbados
: 10/31/2009
great going bajans from Asiba The Buffalo Soldier. way to go !
Maybe : 10/31/2009
The game may have an audience of 20 million, but the half time show may not necessarily be televised. This is not Superbowl. More likely the networks will have studio commentators during the performances. This circumstance may be more akin to a Bajan girl being on the cheerleading team - at the game, but not on TV.
Too bad its the Lions : 10/31/2009
only bad thing is they are performing in front of the worst football team, i can't imagine an audience of more than 20 people.
Congratulation : 10/31/2009
---"This show will introduce and reintroduce great Barbadian talent to the world at the same time?" Whats thats suppose to mean?--- Rihanna still bring great music to the table. And why have everyone forgotten about Rupert Clarke? Anyways, I'm always behind my nations 100% so Im with them during sunny and rainny periods - trusting other Barbadians will support them the same. Dont forget our real key starters (Gabby, rupert clarke, Alison Hinds) that these same young entertainers dawned upon.
Bajan Artistes : 10/30/2009
Great News! Way To go! These Bajans will do us proud! The talent on this island is unlimited!
From Barbados with love : 10/30/2009
Congrats, folks! I am sure you all will do us proud!
Earth from NJ : 10/30/2009
I hope that MR.EARTH meant that in a good way because Rihanna made the way for alot of bajans. We all are human and will go through things in life just she is in the spot light and will be put out their even if she fart. Blessings from NY
Artist hit it big : 10/30/2009
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, I will tune it just to see them, ITs a chance for the world to see BUHBADOS & that in itself is a huge achievement for our Artist. HAPPY INdependence to them. THey will do it large for us and themselves over our INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND. ALSO I hope that in the future we can have these artist home to have a show Shontell Hal VITa and RI RI...
GOD BLESS U ALL!! : 10/30/2009
Congrats to all three!!!Families,Producers,Managers they make us all proud..Keep up the good works!!!GOD Bless the island and the people in it,,Nice to be see another bajan product beside Rihanna... Proud Bajan in Toronto....
Bajan Artistes Hit It Big : 10/30/2009
Most households in the US gather for Thanksgiving with the TV on the NFL games all day. This is a huge audience for these artistes. Congratulations to them all...do us proud!
artistes hit it big : 10/30/2009
[The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Sunday ] They play on Thanksgiving day which is always the last Thursday in November.And on this thanksgiving day we the lions fans will have a great deal to be Thankful for. [LIONS 28 PACKERS 17 Final score.]
Bajan Artise : 10/30/2009
WOw this is truly a great honor for Barbados.. with the success of Rhianna, artise in Barbados have been paid much more attention and this would only help catapult them to better recognition.. I am truly proud of them...
YOU GO VV! : 10/30/2009
Vita Chambers is a 16 year old...:P shes one of my best friends haha the days out foul bay! Congrats to all 3 of you guys... GO GETTERS!!! im lookin forward to the albums :) best of luck for the show
Wonderful! Congrats! : 10/30/2009
Congratulations to the artistes!
bajan artises : 10/30/2009
I do hope they stay focussed and keep their clothes on.Ples guys stay good....don't go bad on us .
Great Opportunity : 10/30/2009
Congrats to all involved (artists, managers, producers etc), you guys are going to do GREAT!!! ~bless
Bajan Three : 10/30/2009
I know they will do us proud. We are steadily gaining back the notoriet of yesteryear. God Bless Bim and her Children.
Three Bajan artistes hit it big : 10/30/2009
I certainly hope they surpass Rihanna and make Barbados proud again.Wishing them well,and may the good LORD bless them !! EARTH From N.J USA
Correction : 10/30/2009
The Thanksgiving Day game is played on Thursday and not Sunday.
Congrats! : 10/30/2009
Congratulations to these artistes! They deserve our full support, what a wonderful opportunity for them. I wish them all huge success in their future, and congratulate their families for raising such positive role models in this day and age!! I will be watching and will be proud to see more Bajans on the world stage!
Nice : 10/30/2009
Do us proud... Congrats guy and gals....
: 10/30/2009
Good luck to you guys!
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