Buju Banton - Contributed

'Truck Stop' was aimed at a mature crowd. But it has reluctantly become an 'it spot' and a curious younger brigade has started to filter in too. Many come just to meet a few friends, grab some food and move on. But the crowds grew and earlier this year the 'Truck Stop' vibes spilled from the popular Saturday nights into Fridays as well. And whereas it started out with a handful of people trickling in, a steady crowd of hundreds can be seen at the venue at any one time on Saturdays. Most get there around 11 p.m. Overall, Swaby estimated, up to 1,000 may actually "pass through".

"The young people don't normally stay all night," explained Dave 'Brenty' Harris, a selector with Zingara Disco, one of several sound system operators or DJs who rotate at 'Truck Stop' shift each weekend. "The older people stay all night. They appreciate the music more."

But while the demographics of the 'Truck Stop' following may vary these days, the musical presentation hardly does. If it's not like Beres Hammond taking One Step Ahead from the '70s, Marcia Griffiths Stepping Outa Babylon, Dennis Brown calling for Cassandra or Gregory Isaacs needing the Night Nurse, it's Buju Banton reminding patrons I Wanna Be Loved. Or it's Bob Marley in a Mellow Mood.

overwhelming sentiments

The organisers claim that will never change. The overwhelming sentiment is that the event must stay true to its roots. Factions have pushed, but the 'Truck Stop' faithful haven't budged.

everyone welcome

"One night a man wanted us to play (Buju Banton's more recent hit) Driver," recalled Mark Swaby. "He cursed an' gwaan bad. It was played once and the crowd rejected that. They didn't want that."

Nothing personal against 'The Gargamel'. It's just that 'Truck Stop' patrons prefer the more mellow stuff from back in the day.

"Our cut-off is really the mid-90s," Swaby said of the deejays' credo. "We try to maintain a certain format. We don't even talk on the (microphone)."

Today's dancehall patrons, like everyone else, are welcome. They just have to leave their more edgy preferences - deejay clashes and outrageous dances - at the entrance. 'Truck Stop' refuses to taint the vibes. It's a delicate balance and a slim line to walk.

"Sometimes you can play one wrong tune and there's no turning back," cautioned Swaby, the first person to select music at 'Truck Stop'.

Marcia Griffiths - file