Gospel artiste’s song helped him on the road to recovery

By Yasmine Peru – Senior Gleaner Writer—

The elder statesman of reggae music has signed on to Japan-based Mighty Crown’s sound system’s farewell Far East Reggae Cruise and Reggae Sumfest in July.

A rigorous getting-ready-for-the-Olympics type of training session is now an integral part of daily life for Freddie McGregor. But the veteran reggae singer is not complaining; in fact, his heart is full of gratitude to the Most High that he is in full recovery mode following a scary stroke in November last year while in Florida.

“I’ve never been ill before … and when this happened…bwoy. God is good, he has preserved me; I am thankful that God spared me. I know of persons who went through what I did and … yuh [know]… they are either not here with us, or their situation is still touch-and-go. I know that prayers really work, and I give thanks for all who prayed for me. You know a God we seh. I have a great support system and that helped to pull me through this,” the Rastafarian singer said, his voice sounding exactly like the old Freddie’s.

In addition to needing to share how beyond thankful he is for everything, including the good trainers whose exercises “help to build up [his] strength and endurance”, the elder statesman of reggae music had two important messages that he needed to share with urgency, having learnt from his experience over the last seven months.

“To all my brothers and sisters … and especially to fathers … when you have children, family in general, take care of them, show them love. If you do that, they will be there for you in times like these when you need people around you who love you. And second, pay attention to your health. We men don’t like to go to the doctor, and we have a tendency not to take medical situations seriously, but remember that prevention is better than cure,” the Grammy-nominated reggae singer-songwriter, producer and “dedicated Dad” said.

The I Was Born a Winner singer, who has been in the music business for six decades,

and who has amassed armloads of awards and thousands of loyal fans along the way, is ready to hit the road. He has been rehearsing and getting his A-game on, having signed on to Japan-based Mighty Crown’s sound system’s farewell Far East Reggae Cruise from July 15-20, and Reggae Sumfest, which unfolds in Montego Bay from July 16- 22.

The reggae cruise with the captain of the Big Ship on board, sets sail from Japan to South Korea and among the other top acts who will be performing are Barrington Levy, Beenie Man, Wayne Wonder, TOK, Ruff Kutt Band, Rory Stone Love, Massive B, DJ Puffy. McGregor’s Reggae Sumfest performance at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay will see the captain and crew in a grand family reunion and homecoming on the night of July 22. McGregor is rubbing his hands together in glee at the thought of being in familiar spaces again, and he is elated that he will be accompanied on the Sumfest stage by his children Chino, Stephen and Yashemabeth, as well as the Code Red band.

“I have been getting myself prepared for the stage … both mentally and physically … been rehearsing for weeks and it’s going well. The cruise will be like a full dress rehearsal and I know it is going to be great on board. You know … when I signed up for Reggae Sumfest eight months ago, I didn’t know if July 22, 2023, I would be where I want to be, but right now I am very close to that [point]. I have not performed at Reggae Sumfest in a long time… and I have not been to Jamaica since September last year. Chino and Stephen are very excited and can’t wait, and of course Shema [Yashemabeth]. We will be singing the songs that people love and it will be a great homecoming,” the singer said.

Post-Reggae Sumfest, McGregor will still be in ‘tour’ mode. With bags still packed, he and the crew will head out to the United Kingdom, where they have seven shows lined up for the summer.

Expounding on just how much music has been an integral part of his healing, McGregor didn’t focus on his own songs as therapy, but rather, he shared how two songs from the catalogue of a female gospel singer were his panacea.

“During my illness and recovery, Jewel Osbourne’s songs The Keeper and Jesus Has Done The Rest have given me strength and comfort. I really want to wish her all the best with her music and her ministry.”

The musician, whose bio describes him as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, nature fanatic and patriotic Jamaican, will celebrate his birthday next Tuesday, which is the same day that his album, A Breath of Fresh Air, will be released. He shared that it is “an album of covers and fresh music” and it is currently available on pre-order.

Regarding his ‘earthstrong’, he noted that he has not been making plans, but he was certain that his family is planning something special..

Freddie, McGregor who has thrilled fans with classics such as Big Ship, I See It In You, Prophecy, Push Come To Shove, Let Him Try and I Will Wait For You, was born on June 27, 1956, in Hayes, Clarendon, and his music career started when he was seven years old. In 2003, he was conferred with the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government for his contribution to music.