A virtual benefit concert is slated for next Wednesday night in honour of singer/songwriter and Ssignal Productions head Bonny Alves who recently under-went surgery after an illness, with dona-tions going towards his recovery.
The coordination of the concert is a joint effort by National Music School Director Andrew Tyndall, Nigel Worrell of ANSA McAL and CEO of Kross Kolor Records Burchmore Simon. The perform-ers will include his wife Charmaine Blackman, Jumo Primo, Niketa, Big Red, Brandon Harding, the Yoruba Singers, Diana Chapman, Dawn ‘Lady D’ Edwards, Samantha Grant, King Perai, Ego, Circle of Love, Devon Denny, Eze Rockcliffe, Kady Kish, Calvin Burnette, Vanilla, and others. Popular radio broadcaster Malcolm ‘Mr.Wickedee’ Ferreira will be the host.
The event will be streamed live from HJTV and Bonny is expected to be present as guest of honour. “I’ve had no hand in setting this up but I am grateful and appreciative of all those who have joined together to make this happen,” he said. So far, his hospital and recovery bills amount to $1.9 million. Donations made through the upcoming event will help to offset these expenses.
The producer fell sick last year and was diagnosed earlier this year with a hernia among intestinal issues which resulted in a surgery on May 20. His recovery is still ongoing and he uses a walking cane to aid him in getting about.
He recalled that since last November, he knew that something was wrong but did not pay attention to his health then. He pushed on and worked with the calypsonians during Mashramani but not long after these celebrations, his condition worsened and he decided to see a doctor. After several visits and numerous tests, they were finally able to determine what was wrong. Following his surgery, the producer had to be hospitalised again, as his body was retaining water. At first he thought his kidneys had gone bad but following tests he learnt that there was water in his legs, in his lungs and around his heart.
The songwriter said that at one point he was sure he would die. For about ten weeks he could eat no solids which resulted in him losing 67 pounds. He has since gained nine pounds and currently weighs 145 pounds, which means he has to alter his entire wardrobe or replenish it. His recovery journey has also required a change in diet though he has now returned to eating solid food.
“I’m grateful to be in the land of the living. Having had this experience, it has emboldened me to do the things I have wanted to do. I think it has made me a much better person,” he said.
He shared that his wife has been a major part of his recovery, never giving up on him.
During his career, Bonny noted, there were days he worked 17 hours. He does not plan on returning to such a hectic life. However, he has already returned to producing though only doing half-hour sessions whenever he can.
With this year marking 50 years since he has been in the music industry, much has happened. Bonny said that witnessing a lot of the changes in music throughout the decades has made him a better entertainer and producer. He said that Guyanese are less conscious about culture, as the industry here is being infiltrated by American and Caribbean music. However, more music is being produced than when he first started out and he feels proud to have witnessed this.
He reflected on a time when local singers were making their presence felt internationally, citing the late Bill Rogers, who had secured a contract with RCA Records, an American label owned by Sony Records which never happened again. Bill Rogers had also won two international competitions in the 1930s. The late Lord Canary, he said, was awarded second place at the World Calypso Competition. Bonny recalled that initially Lord Canary was awarded first place, but then it was learnt that he was not Trinidadian as the judges had thought. An appeal was made and a recount was done. It was finally concluded that Lord Canary lost the win by half a point.
In 1985, he said, Guyana won a song competition contested by singers from the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana) with the songs “I Feel Good” and “Let’s Talk It Over” which he composed and arranged. They were performed by Toni Barry, Joy Smith and Patrick Greaves and backed by the Yoruba Singers.
Bonny also spoke of icon Eddy Grant, pointing out that Guyanese have so little knowledge about their singers that Eddy would visit Guyana and walk almost unnoticed through the streets of George-town. Meanwhile, in other countries, he would be recognised almost instantly, hailed for the mark he has made on the music industry and mobbed by fans for autographs.
For 20 years, Bonny has recorded the music of many Guyanese artistes, making them local stars. He is said by many to be one of the most influential people in the rebirth of music in Guyana.
To date, Bonny has written approxi-mately 700 songs, and produced some 550. Some, which were never recorded, are even being sung in churches today, although Bonny’s authorship is not widely known to those performing them.
His songs are being played on all of the inhabited continents of the world, includ-ing Australia. In fact, the single, “Raise Your Hands to Jah” was number one on the Reggae billboard charts in Guam, a fact that he remains immensely proud of.
A director also, Bonny has produced and directed 16 films, including Right Choices, The Will To Love (both of which are about HIV/AIDS); The Unbelieving Mom, The Convert (which highlighted domestic issues); The King of Drums, The Ole Higue (focusing on culture); and The Encounter (horror genre).
With regard to the benefit, those wishing to donate can do so to Ssignal Productions at Republic Bank using account number – 962352520716 or via MMG to 626-7671. For the concert, viewers can log on to Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman’s Facebook profiles next Wednesday at 7 pm.
