Mr Vegas, Fay-Ann Lyons to perform live

Energy, hype and pulsating entertainment is always associated with performances from Jamaican Dancehall artist Mr Vegas and Trinidadian Soca performer Fay-Ann Lyons and nothing less is expected tonight from 22:00hrs at the Edge Nightclub at the Tower Hotel in Georgetown when they perform for the first time live the theme song for the 2010 T/20 cricket World Cup which starts in Guyana on April 30.

The two celebrated Caribbean entertainers have joined forces for the making of the up tempo Soca and Dancehall mix theme song and the pair has promised an energized performance tonight at the official launching of the song in Guyana.

The Edge, Guyana’s latest and most modern nightclub has a capacity of 400 and tickets for tonight’s show is $2,500.

Accompanied by her musician husband Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, a three-time Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Road March champion (2003, 2008, 2009) who won the 2009 International Soca Monarch title while pregnant, explained the concept of the ‘Bring it’ song at a press conference yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.

With hit songs like Lyon Empress, Mane the Matriach and Silver Surfer, the 30-year-old Fay-Ann said some feel that the ‘fete’ atmosphere at sports is not necessary but explained that she felt is was needed since Caribbean people are not passive people.

“The party atmosphere does not take away from the professionalism of the players and could actually inspire them because of the manner in which we celebrate,” Fay-Ann said.

Also present at the Stadium yesterday was 35-year-old Clifford Smith, know in the music industry as Mr Vegas after being given that nickname by his schoolyard football-mates, who thought that he kicked the ball like a Las Vegas dancer.

Rhonda Kelly, of Kelly/Holdings Limited, has been contracted to coordinate the activities of the artists for the first ever T/20 World Cup in the West Indies. She was also present yesterday.

Mr Vegas, who was hit in the face with a crowbar and had his jaw wired shut for six weeks after a scuffle over stolen master tapes, found fame in 1998 with hits such as Yu Sure, Jack It Up, and Latest News.

Mr Vegas informed that the ‘Bring it’ song, which was mainly written by USA based Jamaican Marlon Chin and developed by Fay-Ann and Mr Vegas, is all about bringing the positives to the matches.

‘The ICC wanted the energy … when they approached us they wanted to attract the youths. It’s not like when I was a youth. Back then you said cricket and everyone would tell you about the match they watched the night before. Now many of the youths don’t have that interest for cricket which is still the national sport of the West Indies. You talk about West Indies cricket now and many youths can tell you who Manchester United beat in football,” Mr Vegas explained.

Kelly disclosed that the ICC brought the concept of the song to the singers and they finished off the writing of the lyrics which was started by Chin.

Fay-Ann says the song encourages the entire family to come out to support the West Indies team and celebrate being Caribbean people. She songbird said the song is not only a party song but it is also very informative.

Both artists said they were honored to have been chosen to perform the theme song for the world event.

“I remember growing up and listening to cricket on the radio without even seeing the match and feeling if I was there. I remember Dujon and Richards batting and now to be actually involved in helping to inspire our present players with this song is humongous,” Mr Vegas said.

Both entertainers said they hoped they could create the right vibes at the venues to entertain the fans and motivate the players.

Bunji Garlin said he was here to not only support Fay-Ann as his wife and Mr Vegas as his ‘brethren’ but as someone who is proud to be a West Indian.

The singers and Kelly visited Antigua, Jamaica and Trinidad before coming here but tonight will be the very first time that the duo will be performing their riveting rendition since they did not perform in the three Islands they visited.

Guyana is also the first host venue that the singers are visiting and they are scheduled to tour the Islands which will also host matches (Barbados & St Lucia) before going to St Kitts which will host matches in the Womens division of the T/20 World Cup.

Sabrina Panday, who runs the Guyana ICC T/20 secretariat, said that the concept for the song was born after what transpired during the 2007 World Cup hosted by the West Indies.

“There were so many restrictions …some many thing you could not bring….it took away a lot from the atmosphere of West Indian cricket. This T/20 World Cup is a lot more relaxed without compromising security and the fans are being encouraged to bring it, the drums, the horns, the noise, the fun. The song also urges the West Indies players to bring their best game,” Panday said.
Mr Vegas said it’s all about bringing the positives and the energy while Fay-Ann said the ticket prices should encourage the fans to bring their friends in large numbers since the atmosphere, the rhythm section in the party stand, the fun and frolic and what should be enterprising cricket should all combine to create what should be an unforgettable event.

Story courtesy of Sean Devers

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