AFTER a seven-year hiatus, the Saddle To The East live show will ride again.

The charity event is scheduled for December 24 at Goodyear Oval in St Thomas.

Top L-R: Elephant Man, I-Octane Bottom:Konshens & Bounty Killer

It is a joint effort between founder and dancehall artist Bounty Killer and Upliftment, a non-profit organisation headed by Gary Foster.

According to Foster, promoters are using the show to reach out to wayward youth.

“St Thomas is a parish known for a high level of crime and poverty, therefore most of the acts will aim at educating and counselling the youths,” he told Splash. “Those of us in the industry have the ‘ears’ of the people so the aim is really to play our role in the island’s development.”

Foster added that he and Bounty Killer are not necessarily looking at making a profit, but spreading a positive message.

“He has a passion for the parish and for people in general. He has launched the careers of some of dancehall’s finest, so this event is another way in which he will be offering his assistance to society.”

Although several companies have pledged support through sponsorship, Foster says there is still room for assistance, particularly from corporate Jamaica.

Saddle To The East was first held in 1999. Its aim is to raise funds to help transform impoverished communities.

Shortly after the last staging in 2006, Bounty Killer was charged by police with breaching the Town and Country Act for using abusive and indecent language.

I-Octane, Sizzla, Chuck Fenda, Konshens, Aidonia, Elephant Man and Busy Signal are among the acts confirmed for the comeback show.