Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Half Pint - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Singer Lindon 'Half Pint' Roberts now officially has a day all of his own in Hartford, Connecticut. One week before Jamaica was making last-minute preparations for Hurricane Dean, the man who sang the reggae standard Greetings, rated category five on the party scale, and is preparing for the release of the No Stress Express album in September, was being honoured in the United States city at the climax of the annual West Indian Day celebrations.
The framed proclamation begins:
"City of Hartford, Connecticut, Proclamation by the Honorable Eddie A. Perez, Mayor."
Whereas Lindon Roberts, affectionately known as Half Pint, first began singing in the school choir at All Saints Primary School in Jamaica, West Indies, he later toured the island with various groups, namely Black Scorpio, Jammys, Gemini, Lee's Unlimited and Killamanjaro.
It goes on to detail some of the producers he has worked with, the fact that his song Winsome was covered by the Rolling Stones in 1987, and that he was featured in the movies The Mighty Quinn, Substitute 2 and Mookie, is the only reggae artiste signed to the BMG Music Publishing Company "and is recognised worldwide for his awe-inspiring musical talents and continuous contributions he makes to inspiring people all over the world"
It ends "Now be it resolved that I, Eddie Perez, Mayor of the City of Hartford, and the Court of Common Council, do hereby proclaim Saturday, August 11, 2007, as Lindon 'Half Pint' Roberts Day in the City of Hartford and request that our residents acknowledge and celebrate the important contributions made by Mr. Roberts and join in wishing him all God's blessing."
Half Pint told The Gleaner that he was happy "for a day dedicated as Half Pint Day, knowing that my work is really reaching across and recognised by the state, the Governor and the Mayor, to issue a proclamation honouring me in the city.
"That mean that word, sound and power is where it really all begins in making people aware of themselves and what they ought to do to be measured by their deeds," he said.
Half Pint said that after receiving the proclamation in a park at a ceremony held after a colourful parade through the streets, he performed for about an hour. "It was over two or three thousand people," he said.
Enriching people's lives
He said that music is his way of enriching people's lives with joy. As for those in Jamaica who do not realise the reach of his work, Half Pint said "some will know, but to those who don't know I will say to them that this is what music is about, life, love liberty.
"Some who will catch up with it in time, they will realise that my works is telling the toll of what is done by getting this award, to realise I am a bonafide reggae artiste," Half Pint said. "The works I am doing is bonafide in representing the people.
"I am doing my time and fulfilling my works," Half Pint said, then chuckled as he added "for he, she and the old lady".
When asked if he thought he would have been honoured if his music had been derogatory in any way, Half Pint said "no. They wouldn't give me it.
"Music is a matter of healing and soothing," Half Pint said.
