Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Tony Rebel told the audience at the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, on Thursday evening that when he started Rebel Salute he had no idea that it would last as long or become as huge as it has.

Then, too, no one would have conceived that a black couple would occupy the White House, in less than 20 years to boot.

Tony Rebel made the connection between the two at the end of a lengthy Rebel Salute 2009 launch, when he said "we want to dub this Rebel Salute the pre-celebration of the inauguration of President Obama".

The two events take place three days apart; Rebel Salute 2009 unfolds at Port Kaiser, St Elizabeth, on Saturday, January 17, while Obama's inauguration is three days later in Washington, in the United States. "The artistes Dr Johnson called out are those who can really enhance a celebration like that," Rebel said.

Earlier the launch's host, Dr Hume Johnson, had read out a line-up which included Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley, I-Wayne, Sanchez, Queen Ifrica, Ras Moses (Beenie Man), Luciano, Rootz Underground, Johnny Clarke, Leroy Gibbons, Chuck Fendah, Johnny Clarke and Wailing Souls, among others, including Tony Rebel himself.

Crowd appreciation

And CVM TV's Winford Williams, one of the programme's many speakers, had pointed out that Rebel Salute was one of the few events where an artiste does not need a current hit to be appreciated by the crowd, as there was good support for persons with a catalogue.

Rebel Salute 2009 does not have a title sponsor, the Jamaica Tourist Board among the supporters, as is The Gleaner. Zachary Harding of the JTB said "we are on board big time, not as big as I would have liked but that is something we are working on right now. International Intellectual Property Specialist, Delma Price Warren, pointed out how artistes can and should maximise their earning potential.

And an engaging guest speaker, Ryland Campbell, of the Capital and Credit Financial Group, who said Tony Rebel was "the first willing, excited, committed performer" on the 'Pickney Love' Christmas concert series, put Rebel Salute in a wider perspective.

He said it is "part of a process by which Rebel seeks to bring to the society the culture of performance that evokes decency, dignity and, most of all to us as a people, critical transformation".

Security Innovations' Adrian Grant and Superintendent A.J. Forbes of the Mandeville Police, assured all of security and traffic control arrangements, with Gladstone Adams of the Red Cross confirming their continued presence.

There was a healthy sprinkling of song to go with the speeches, Fyakin and I-Wayne combining to delight the audience, Choc'late Allen singing Peter Tosh's You Can't Blame The Youth and Lenky Roy also performing.

Former 'NY Undercover' actor Malik Yoba utilised acoustic guitar and voice, singing "they want us to fail", then combined with Tony Rebel and Luciano to send out a "respect due".

And before the launch moved into a mini-concert, Johnson set another target. "We hope to see you at the 20th anniversary of Rebel Salute," she told the audience.