Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Richie Stephens

When Richie Stephens closed off the launch of the 2008 'Jamaica National Take Me Away' concert, slated for Sunday, April 27, at the National Indoor Sports Centre, he reversed the accustomed order by thanking the sponsors first.

And there were many to thank on Wednesday, among them The Gleaner, Stephens pointing out "everybody talks about the high quality of entertainment, is whole heap a money to put it on".

Representatives of some of those sponsors, among them the Jamaica Automobile Association, David McBean of CVM TV and Earl Jarrett of the title sponsors, spoke before Stephens at the Acropolis, Barbican, all emphasising the quality of the event and Stephens' commitment to charity.

This year's charity is the Mary's Child Centre in downtown Kingston, a representative of whom spoke at the launch and explained the organisation's work in assisting pregnant teenage girls.

Surprise guest artiste

The concert will feature Stephens, a reunited Bloodfire Posse, Shinehead, Mama Carmen, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington, Queen Ifrica, Marvia Providence, Christopher Martin, Nadje Leslie and Ity and Fancy Cat. Stephens said that Etana, who was initially billed for the event, will not be performing, but there will be a surprise guest artiste.

Stephens explained that Take Me Away, the song for which the concert is named, was a song "I did out of frustration". He said that the music was going one way, but when he was growing up there was much more diversity of genres. While he was not knocking dancehall, he saw a need for more variety. "I said we needed to go somewhere else, to broaden the scope," he said.

"It was a struggle to get it popular," Stephens said of Take Me Away. But when he did, he decided to go further and create a show. Then, to keep it fresh, he decided to rotate the entertainers to keep the show fresh, hence the 'Richie Stephens and Friends'.

He also restated his commitment to charitable work, which has been expanded to the Richie Stephens Foundation.

Before reuniting on stage April 27 at 'Take Me Away', the Bloodfire posse gathered on stage at the Acropolis on Wednesday evening. Danny Brownie, the first of the Posse on the stage, said "it has been 17 years since we have last shared the stage. We are really excited about the opportunity. As a friend, as a bredren, I could not say no to Richie."

As for Paul Blake, former Bloodfire lead singer, Brownie said he had not performed with him for 22 years. Blake came up and explained that, as a pastor, he had prayed about performing with Bloodfire Posse again - twice.

And Stephens encouraged all to "come out, come early."