"Whoever saw that it was feasible we thank them and we thank our mother and father for giving birth to us ." - Ken BootheCOME TONIGHT, seven of Jamaica's entertainment personalities and one outstanding band will be awarded for their excellence in their respective careers at the Prime Minister's Independence Gala.
The eight recipients are Keith 'Bob Andy' Anderson, Kenneth 'Ken' Boothe, Alpharita 'Rita' Marley, Cecil 'Sonny' Bradshaw, Frederick 'Freddie' McGregor, Judith 'Judy' Mowatt, Trevor Rhone and the Fab 5 Band.
Of the eight Trevor Rhone is the only person who is not in the field of music. He will be receiving the Prime Minister's recognition for his contribution to theatre.
Keith 'Bob Andy' Anderson and Kenneth 'Ken' Boothe will be getting the award for their work in the field of music through songwriting and recording. Cecil 'Sonny' Bradshaw gets the award for involvement in music through jazz.
Alpharita 'Rita' Marley, who is the widow of Bob Marley, is not only being recognised for her work in music but for her involvement in charity.
Judith 'Judy' Mowatt and Frederick 'Freddie' McGregor are being recognised for their exploits in music locally and internationally while the Fab 5 Band gets the nod for their input as a band in the field.
Ken Boothe, in commenting on the news of receiving the award, was quite humble.
THANKS
"Whoever saw that it was feasible we thank them and we thank our mother and father for giving birth to us," said Boothe.
"Any award I get is fair. All of us as legends have been carrying the flag of the music for years. I pay tribute to people like Delroy Wilson, Dennis Brown and all the others who started out with me. This award is not just for me its for them as well," said Boothe.
Songwriter and singer Bob Andy did not show his emotions when The Gleaner spoke to him. "How I will feel, that will depend on when I collect the award. As far as I am concerned my fans have always supported me all over through the years and that makes me happy," said Andy.
The eight join an elite list of entertainers, including Marcia Griffiths, Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, Byron Lee, Shaggy, Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert and Hugh 'Beres' Hammond, who have received the award in previous years.
