George Nooks and Marcia GriffithsGarwin Davis, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite presentation glitches and the lack of anything remotely resembling suspense, the 14th annual Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) Awards, which took place on Wednesday night in Ocho Rios, was relatively successful.
At the Little Pub Bar and Restaurant, a packed audience turned out for the event which got going at around 9:00 p.m. Emcees Judith Bodley and Ron Muchette worked well together, but was constrained by a programme that wasn't well organised. The duo was often forced to improvise to make up for what could otherwise have been several embarrassing moments.
The groups, Heavenly Echoes and The Progressive Band gave outstanding performances. The latter, with their dynamic lead singer, Cat, struck a chord with the audience and gave a stirring display of showmanship. Other good performances came from veterans entertainer George Nooks and the group, T.O.K. Singer Marcia Griffiths, who won a Lifetime Achievement Award and who still commands a regal presence second to none when on stage, received a standing ovation from the very appreciative audience.
It was the presentation aspect of the show, though, that at times was embarrassing and should be seriously addressed by the organisers for future events. It is understandable that recipients of awards will not always be available on the day of the ceremony and that a representative, usually a family member or a friend, can accept in their absence. Also, it is almost always known in advance whether the recipients will attend the event.
What is not acceptable, and one will never see this happening at the Grammy Awards or any other international show of note, is for the emcee to announce the winner of an award and is hard-pressed to find somebody to accept on the musician's behalf.
On numerous occasions, that was the situation at Wednesday night's JFM Award and to the point where people like cabaret performer Sabrina Williams and radio personality Suzie Q seemed like permanent fixtures on stage collecting on some else's behalf.
It couldn't have been more embarrassing when the names of the late John Jones and Hortense Ellis were announced to receive awards for outstanding contributions to the music industry over the years and no one, not even a family member, was on hand to accept. Can it be assumed that no family member or a close friend of either of the deceased could be found by the organisers to accept the awards? Or is it that no attempt was made.
Certainly, for the JFM Awards to be taken seriously and for an event that is in its 14th year, these kinds of mishaps are simply inexcusable.
There were the usual absences of most of the outstanding names in the music industry. Conspicuously missing too was a representative from the Government, again raising questions about the seriousness of the talks regarding the marrying of entertainment with tourism to create growth in both sectors.
Beside those failings though, the JFM Awards had enough punch to keep patrons happy and entertained. No one will ever forget Paul Higgs collecting an award honouring his father, the late Joe Higgs, for his outstanding contributions to the music industry.
It was easily the most touching moment of the evening.
JFM president Desmond Young said he was happy with the turnout and did not feel slighted by the musicians who didn't bother to show.
"If you mean the DJs not being here that is OK", he noted. "Look around the room, there are enough stars here."
Mr. Young noted that unlike other shows, the JFM was not about to patronise musicians with awards in order to get them to attend the show.
"We are not going to play that game", he said. "The JFM Awards have survived 14 years for doing things the right way."
Other recipients of note were CeCile, best new artiste, Capleton, DJ of the Year, Fab 5 for Band of the Year, Carlene Davis for Best Female Gospel Singer and Papa San, Best Male Gospel Singer. AJ Brown got Best Cabaret Performer of the Year. The late reggae superstar Bob Marley and former musician turned businessman, Keith Foote won a Lifetime Achieve-ments Award.
