Hats off to Team Shaggy and Friends. The momentum of such a worthy event began to build days after the announcement that Jamaica’s’ songbird Tessanne Chin was crowned winner of the 5th season of NBCs The Voice . After the announcement of her win, Shaggy and his team immediately announced the full line up of his annual charity event for Bustamante Children Hospital.
Shaggy went on a media campaign along with some of the many artists who contributed their time and energy for this cause. For three weeks straight Shaggy and Friends were on local morning television programs, local and international radio letting the people know they Dare them to Care.
Immediately, the slogan Dare to Care took to social media and we began to receive word TWO week before the event that platinum tickets were sold out! As Team Shaggy and Friends continued the campaign, requests from ticket outlets began to pour in for re-stock of tickets and Shaggy began to realize that the movement was on.
“I always know it harder for one man to achieve anything alone. As they say it takes a village to raise a child and we decided it takes a nation to save our children” says Shaggy.
It was now hours before showtime and stage, lights and cameras were all in place. The traffic towards Jamaica House was bumper to bumper and by 6:50 p.m. the patrons began filling the venue.While the patrons were filling the venue sponsors and #teamshaggy4kids took the party to social media and garnered over 3 million imprints by using hash tag #teamshaggy4kids and generating over 2 million streaming viewers from all over the world, which generated more donations. Social media was excited and The Jamaica House was filled and it was showtime, which started promptly at 8:00 p.m.
In fine style the visionary (Shaggy) and his fellow artists of Ranch Entertainment started the show and the jam packed lawn was jamming. The patrons were now ready to be treated and taken on a trip down memory lane with performance by Pinchers, Admiral Bailey, Mighty Diamonds and Admiral Tibet. Each artist had the crowd singing and dancing, yet it was Admiral Bailey who warmed the crowd up with his classics, Della Move and Jump Up.
Photo Credit Yannick Reid
Photo Credit Yannick Reid
The beautiful Carlene Davis, took to the stage and paid tribute to Nelson Mandela and then performed a few gospel songs to remind the audience what the night was all about. It was now time for ‘Si Martin Yah’, Christopher Martin who gave a short yet solid set. The night continued with stellar performance from Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, his son GioMar, Agent Sasco, Trinidad sensation Kes and the Band, Dancehall sensation Konshens, International Super Star Neyo, Chronixx, Sean Paul, Tarrus Riley with surprise performance from Jah Cure and Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, Sean Paul and I-Octane.
Yet the time everyone waited for was ‘The Voice’ Tessanne Chin, who gave an impeccable performance with her band while giving the crowd some of her classics and some of the songs she performed on The Voice. Tessanne later introduced a fellow Voice contestant Mathew Schuler, who won over the crowd as he sung Hallelujah and a Wayne Wonder Cover of No Letting Go.
Tessanne would return in true star fashion with a wardrobe change and take the crowd with her as she sung a crowd favorite Hideaway.
The night was just superb, the efforts of a true visionary and man with a genuine heart was reflected by the magnitude of the crowd and by the efforts of everyone on his team.
“I cannot take all the compliments without saying, Thank You to my team, Rebecca Packer and Team Shaggy and Friends, you all are truly amazing. To all media houses we thank you. To my friends and artists who took the time out of your schedule for the kids, hats off to you and to everyone who donated, your contributions will save lives, and most of all to our sponsors, Thank You! says Shaggy
