Anthony Cruz (left), Tinga Stewart (second left), Screwdriver (third left), Shinehead (fourth left), Fiona (third right) Notch (partially hidden) and Freddie McGregor (right) perform 'Pray For Love'. - Dennis Coke
AT 6:40 p.m., there was still no beginning in sight to the cocktail party and CD launch of the Pray for Love single, which had been slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. The only thing which indicated that there was some intention to begin in the relatively near future, was an annoyingly insistent microphone check.
Finally, well after 7 o'clock, emcee Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small took the stage. Keith Winslow, International Co-ordinator of Vibes Cultural Outreach, was the first to address the audience, after a brief prayer by Pastor Mark Folen. In his address, Mr. Winslow made light of the late start to the event, then got down to business.
He pointed out that a 'tragedy is a tragedy', and in light of that, part proceeds from the sales of the CD, which was created as a Caribbean response to the tragedy of September 11 in New York City, would be donated to the victims of the floods which ravaged Portland in November. He remarked that for Christmas he is encouraging everyone to "give the gift of music and, by the way, pray for love".
At this point, the audience was treated to an acoustic version of Pray for Love as Anthony Cruise, Screwdriver (on acoustic guitar) Freddie McGregor, Notch, Shinehead, Fiona Robinson and George Nooks took the stage. The performance was somewhat less than riveting, especially since they were limited to the single microphone.
While each of the performers on the single reflected how they came to be involved with the project, the tale that stood out came from Tommy Cowan. Mr. Cowan related the tale of his nephew, who had been on the 95th floor tower when the first plane hit. He then, Mr. Cowan stated, ran down to the 85th floor and was proceeding further when he turned back to rescue a woman who was trapped. Unfortunately, due to this he was trapped in a fire, receiving third degree burns over 60 per cent of his body and was barely taken out of the building before it collapsed.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Portia Simpson Miller also addressed the gathering. She told the audience that "the physical hole in the New York skyline" serves as the backdrop to Pray for Love and demonstrates that "evil knows no borders". Applauding the efforts of Alva Fearon, who conceptualised the song, and Vibes Cultural Outreach, the Minister congratulated them on the quick response to the tragedy.
She also told the audience that "only love can heal the wounds and seal the gap" and remarked that although she has been criticised for embracing too much she encouraged everyone to embrace love, because it was needed. In her final words, Minister Simpson stated that she hopes that all who can afford it will buy the CD as a way of saying "no to terrorism, no to violence and yes to life".
The audience was also treated to performances by Tinga Stewart and his son Finga, Ernie Smith and Shinehead.
The CD is intended for launch in New York on Saturday and there should also be a telethon on December 13. Additionally, a full album featuring contributions from all the artistes featured on the single, is also slated for release in 2002.
