EXPERIENCE A LITTLE PIECE OF THE CARIBBEAN VIA RISING SUN REGGAE BAND
(Above: Delroy Sledge and Andrea Williams - lead singers from Rising Sun Reggae Band)
If you are homesick for the Caribbean and want to go on a musical journey, then Rising Sun Reggae Band is the remedy. This talented group of musicians captivates the audience with their enthusiasm, energy, and versatility and the band is generally requested for repeat gigs because of their quality performance.
Singing popular cover hits and original songs from their 2 CDs "Serious" and "Beware", a Rising Sun performance is guaranteed to leave you wanting more . The group tailors each performance and song selection to please and entertain audiences of all ages, ethnic and social backgrounds and will also customize their performance based on the event - private party, wedding, or major reggae festival.
Rising Sun Reggae Band has performed at many festivals around the world in their 15 year musical career and though they do not often perform in the DC Metropolitan area, they have dominated the Ocean City, Maryland reggae market and are regulars during the Summer concert series and major happenings put on by the City.
Founded and established by bandleader and producer, Delroy Headley and Pierre Belony in 1993, Rising Sun Reggae Band is comprised of a group of 8 musicians including lead vocalist Andrea Williams whose melodious voice takes the band to higher heights. They are committed to delivering quality Reggae music each and every time they hit the stage and are a self-contained band that has their own sound and studio.
The band has received several awards over the years including DC Reggae Music Awards from 1999 until 2007. Rising Sun Reggae Band is in the final stages of completing their third CD (still untitled) and is set to go on tour in upcoming months.
Visit their Web site at www.risingsunreggaeband.com and email peppypromotions@gmail.com or call 301-395-1013 for bookings.
MEET THE COOL PRESTIGE
Born August 22 in Clarkstown, Trelawny, Laurison Bruce aka Prestige is a Lion who was born to roar!!! From the tender age of 8 he began performing at community events where he oftentimes competed in DJ contests with contenders much older than him. Like most black folks, the church was also a place for Prestige to use his voice, even for a short while, and it also helped to hone his great vocals.
1994 was a very significant year for Prestige because it was in this year while DJing under the name of Presley (think Elvis Presley), that he recorded his first tune called "Big Time Murderer" with Black Scorpio in Jamaica. It was also the year in which he gave up meat and became a vegetarian focusing on healthier living and a lifetstyle of living more harmoniously with people. One might wonder if this man makes strict life changes within 10 year spans, because iin 2004 Prestige started locking his hair and decided to cut fish out of his diet and become straight vegan. While Prestige is not a PETA advocate, he refuses to "kill to eat" and lists Mother Earth and Livity - popular vegan spots, as favorite places to eat when in Jamaica.
This versatile, engaging, and charming man hails from Portmore, St. Catherine in Jamaica and likes to spend time with his two teenage daughters, Ariana and Kay. Like most Jamaican men, playing FOOTBALL aka soccer, is a favorite past-time. Writing tunes, recording in the studio, and meditating are also high on Prestige's list of daily to-dos. Prestige does not compare himself with other performers and says "Everyone has a voice and they use it they way they can. I respect every artist, but in the end it is up to the people to decide which artist works for THEM." One thing you will never hear from Prestige is any songs glorifying violence or advocating to "brandish guns" and Prestige has some very strong things to say about the so-called "spiritual and clean" performers who make it a point of duty to lace their songs with phrases about "under women dis" and "big gun dat"...Not calling any names!!!
Among Prestige's musical influences are Kenny Rogers, the late Joseph Hill aka Culture, and Burning Spear and the person who Prestige would love most to collaborate with is Akon. He likes Akon primarily because of his African roots and his the way he writes. Prestige himself has toured extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, and the USA and aspires to visit the Motherland where he intends to build a school named "Ariana" after one of his daughters. The other school will be built in Trelawny and will be called "Kay" – you got it – after his other daughter!
This songwriter has written over 100 songs to date and is constantly writing. One of his favorite songs is "Miss You Mama" which was written just a month ago in honor of his mother who passed in 2002. Yes, Prestige loves his Mother and the ladies and says that he named himself from "prestigious" knowing that ladies love prestigious things…hmmm.
Prestige has performed with various artists including Anthony B, Luciano, Turbulence, Chuck Fender, the late Dennis Brown, Richie Spice, Beres Hammond, and Fantam Mojah, and has performed on all the big time shows like Reggae Sunplash and West Kingston Jamboree. Prestige has toured the Caribbean and parts of the USA extensively in 2008 and was a headliner on the recently held BUDWEISER SUMMER FEST held at the popular RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.
Prestige currently has a 12 track album which is jam packed with hits including "Miss you Mama", "She's Mine Tonight" and "Tender Loving" and you can expect another album, more performances, and his uncompromising positive lyrics for 2009 and beyond.
