Brian Bonitto/Observer writer—
Mary Isaacs (center), head of JaRIA’s Honor Awards Committee, is flanked by this year’s recipients (from left) veteran singer Horace Andy, engineer Don McDowell, singer-songwriter Ashley “Grub” Cooper, Danny “Pepperseed” Bouton of Silver Hawk, gospel radio personality Markland Edwards, and engineer Leroy “Fatman” Thompson at JaRIA’s Honour Awards launch held on Sunday evening.
DAWN Penn, Horace Andy, and Shaggy are to receive Icon Awards at the April 10 Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Honor Awards.
The announcement was made during JaRIA’s media launch at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on Sunday evening.
Ewan Simpson, chairman of the JaRIA, said this year will have a few additions.
“It’s gonna be an amazing awards [ceremony] because, as usual, we are celebrating in many categories that people have always known, but we’re adding some new categories this year. We’re actually going Album of The Year. It is normally one of the coveted awards for any music awards. We are adding the categories — gospel, reggae, and dancehall. We are also going to move the awards to a new venue and will allow us to celebrate the awards in fine style,” Simpson told the Jamaica Observer, while declining to name the venue.
“The range of the awards and their individual international reach will also make the awards most interesting. We are carrying on an advancing and expanding tradition of a broad-based awards,” he continued.
Other winners include: Ashley “Grub” Cooper (Life of Dedication to Music Industry); Lincoln “Sugar” Minott (Extraordinary Impact — Mentorship); singer Pat Kelly and drummer Lincoln “Style” Scott (Exceptional Contribution — posthumous); Engineers Don McDowell and Leroy “Fatman” Thompson (Extraordinary Contribution); Producers Stephen “Genius” McGregor and Linval Thompson (Exceptional Contribution); Sound systems, Volcano and Silver Hawk (Extraordinary Contribution); Desi Jones and Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul (Instrumentalists); Melody Makers (Duo or Group); Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (Band); Dermot Hussey (Media); Markland Edwards (Gospel radio); Billboard Magazine (New Media); The Gleaner (Print); Rototom Sunsplash (Promoter); Dave Kelly (Songwriter); Sister Pat and Prodigal Son (Gospel artistes); and, Bogle (Dance).
Shaggy has two Grammy wins under his belt–he won in 1996 with the album Boombastic in 1996 and again in 2019 for the joint album with Sting dubbed 44/876.
Veteran singer Horace Andy (given name Horace Hines) is known for hit songs, including Skylarking, See A Man’s Face, Just Say Who, and Love Of A Woman.
Dawn Penn has one of the most resilient careers in reggae. Her hit song, You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No) was recorded in 1968, with a remixed version making international charts 25 years later.
The JaRIA Awards, first handed out in 2009, recognizes excellence by honoring individuals, groups and institutions who have been instrumental in the creation, evolution, mentorship, and development of the industry. It covers 26 awards in 16 categories.
Veteran singer Horace Andy (right), recipient of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association’s (JaRIA’s) Icon Award, speaks with JaRIA Chairman Ewan Simpson and June Isaacs, JaRIA’s marketing director, at the JaRIA Honors Awards launch held at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on Sunday evening. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)
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