By Howard Campbell/Observer writer—
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is all smiles after being invested an honorary member of the Order of Jamaica from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House on Monday. (.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)
AS honorees mingled with dignitaries and well-wishers after Monday’s Ceremony of Investure and Presentation of National Honors and Awards at King’s House, Lord Creator sat quietly in a wheelchair, preparing to make his exit from the tent that housed the ceremony.
The Trinidadian singer-songwriter received the Order of Distinction (Officer Class), Jamaica’s sixth-highest honor, for his contribution to Jamaican music. It came 60 years after he wrote and recorded Independent Jamaica, a song celebrating the country’s independence from Britain.
“It’s a blessed feeling; I was not expecting this. I am so proud. Jamaica means so much to me… I’m married to a Jamaican woman, I have Jamaican children. Everything about me is Jamaican — I just love it here,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Lord Creator was among a handful of entertainment figures honored by the Jamaican Government. Others were Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, pianist Monty Alexander, and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph who were awarded the Order of Jamaica, the country’s fifth-highest honor.
Alexander, who is on tour, did not attend but Grange and Ralph wore splendid outfits to accept their awards. The Emmy-winning Ralph, who was born in the United States to an American father and Jamaican mother, wore a figure-hugging yellow costume.
Grange, who was dressed in an Afrocentric brown gown, said receiving an OJ is “a great feeling”.
She added that, “The fact that I’m receiving this award in the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence means that my contribution over the years has been recognized.
Anthony “Chips” Richards, former marketing man at Trojan Records in the United Kingdom, was another OD (Officer Class) recipient. Highlights of his career include helping Ken Boothe’s Everything I Own reach number one in that country in 1974, and introducing reggae to West Africa and Japan in the late 1970s.
“When these things are bestowed upon you, not only is it an honor, it’s a privilege. To imagine that on your life’s journey you never expected anything like this, words cannot express,” said Richards, who was born in central Kingston.
Dancehall deejay Jeffrey “Agent Sasco” Campbell also received an OD (Officer Class) for portraying a positive image and producing songs with uplifting messages. He told the Observer that this was always his objective.
“I made a deliberate effort to concentrate on what I can do to make an impact on my country in different ways. This kind of award is an encouragement to [do] even more,” said Agent Sasco.
Other recipients of the 2022 OD are poet Kwame Dawes (Commander Class), singer Myrna Hague-Bradshaw, playwright Basil Dawkins, poet-folklorist Amina Blackwood-Meeks, and film and technical production veteran John Swaby (all in the Officer Class).
Delroy Williams received a Badge of Honor for long and faithful service to religious music.
Approximately 143 persons received national awards on Monday.
Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange after being bestowed an Order of Jamaica, the island’s fifth-highest honor (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Kwame Dawes after being bestowed the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Anthony “Chips” Richards (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
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