Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie (left), greets Keith Brown of MKB Production at the launch of CVM TV Startime, held at the Oxyden Nightclub in The Quad, Trinidad Terrace, New Kingston, on Wednesday evening. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

After a near one-year break from its customary Kingston home, the Mas Camp Village on Oxford Road, New Kingston, the vintage concert series Startime returns with the 'Magnificent Eight' on Saturday, November 11.

There is one very significant change, though, as after a 17-year relationship the concert's sponsorship by Heineken is over and it is now 'CVM TV Startime'.

"This is the first time that a major media house has offered this kind of sponsorship and this sort of involvement with an entertainment event," said Keith Brown of MKB Promotions, who along with Junior Sinclair hosted Wednesday evening's launch at the Oxygen Nightclub in The Quad, New Kingston.

Glad for the move

Danielle Desulme, brand manager of CVM TV, pointed out that, "We have been associated with Startime for many years. We have had such a good time being an associate sponsor that we figured we might even have a better time being a lead sponsor." And Winford Williams of CVM said that the move was "always something that we have deep down inside wanted", noting that this was the 10th year of association between Startime and CVM.

The line-up for the return concert is Alton Ellis, George Nooks, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Admiral Bailey, Karen Smith, and Derrick Morgan. It will be a quick double after the long lay-off, as CVM TV Startime heads to Ocho Rios, St. Ann, in early December, with Gregory Isaacs replacing Karen Smith for that concert. Lloyd Parkes and We the People Band will provide the music for the shows.

However, even before the official line-up begins at the Mas Camp, the Vibes Band, which includes bass player Keith Francis, keyboard player Allah Lloyd and guitarist Bopee will play from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Bigger and better

A release from the organisers attributed the lay-off to a "rain-hit 2005 season, which resulted in major financial losses." "One of the things we have been able to do in the break is sit, reassess, to plan," Brown said of himself and partner Michael Barnett.

"We are back bigger and better," he said.

President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young, said "This event has reminded us of the work that many of our legends did and has helped to preserve the rich legacy of Jamaican music".

The rain was on Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie's mind as he noted the many venues that Startime has been through since its inception at the Oceana Hotel in downtown Kingston, saying that the uncovered ones left the concert vulnerable to rain. "That is not good enough. This country has too rich a culture and history of performing arts to be faced with that problem," he said. McKenzie noted that a covered, soundproof, permanent venue is needed, with Mas Camp causing complaints from residents. He pointed to Palisadoes to the east and Ferry to the west, saying that space is not a problem.

Mayor McKenzie also said that the KSAC will be awarding Keith Brown and Michael Barnett the gold medal of the city in recognition of their contribution to entertainment through Startime, the news being met by strong applause.