Nothing to write home about

It was thumbs down for the live broadcast announcing the 2008 nominees for Accolade – the Music Awards of Guyana on Wednesday night last and we’re hoping that it is not a sign of things to come.

Don’t get us wrong we fully support the awards ceremony set for November. It is time the few good Guyanese musicians and other players in the music arena are recognised, but we must call a spade a spade.

Arrowhead Promotions wasted time and money to have the less than 20-minute extremely boring announcement made on two television stations simultaneously. A press release (which it did eventually) announcing the nominees would have been fine, really. There was no need for the live broadcast unless there was something else planned – apart from just the reading out of the names of the nominees. Maybe, a few of the nominees — most of them were present – could have performed? We don’t know but what was quite evident was that more was needed to make the programme interesting.

“Excitement will pitch a level higher” was what was promised during the announcement. Unfortunately there was no excitement much less for it to reach a “level higher.” The “guests” in the studio, mostly the persons who were nominated, looked totally bored and most of them squirmed every time they realised they were on camera.
The nominations were announced by designer Michelle Cole-Rose and entertainer Rawle Ferguson. They looked a handsome duo, but they could have put some more life into what they were doing. Teesha Mohabeer, the host, we can hardly call her that, tried, we must give her props, but even her lively chatter did nothing to liven the atmosphere. Malcolm Ferreira, who she invited to give some insight into the awards, did a fine job in his effort to get people excited.
What added insult to injury was the almost abrupt manner in which the programme ended. It was obvious that it was not planned to detail, if it were, then the host would have known how to end the programme. “Any questions?” was what she asked when all was said and done. Unfortunately for her no one had any questions, they all squirmed some more at this point. “Okay if there are no questions then…” and the programme ended.
But as we said before, we are not knocking the awards, we are actually proud that someone has decided to recognise local talent. The line-up of nominees is pretty impressive and as expected most of the big names in the music business are listed.
We must say that those listed in the same category with the likes of First Born and Natural Black are clear losers. Now we are not trying to predict winners, but who on the local scene can give either of the two a run for their money? They are clear winners when it comes to reggae.

Adrian Dutchin, Jumo, ‘Big Red’, Charmaine Blackman and Timeka Marshall are some of the more popular names that were also announced as nominees.

Okay, now that we have had our say on the live nominations, let’s just say that we are looking forward, with a great deal of excitement, of what is to come next. The fashion show slated for this month end, from all indications, would be an event that one just has to attend.

And then of course, the red carpet affair billed for the National Culture Centre in November where the winners would be announced will definitely see all music lovers in the house.

(thescene@stabroeknews.com)