WITH the New Year just around the corner many persons are getting ready to make and carry through with their New Year's Resolution.

One such person who decided to focus on the needs of others, specifically children, rather than himself is the Grammy award-winning Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell, who wants for Jamaica to be full of prosperity in the New Year. "Last year (2008) was rough so I'm just hoping for prosperity for 2009." As it relates to his career and goals Shaggy states, "Me personally, I just want to tour and make good, positive music."

Shaggy consoles Kadian McIntosh, mother of eight-year-old Ashley Anderson, who is currently in the Bustamante Hospital for Children with a bullet in her head and is being kept alive with a machine purchased by the artiste. Shaggy & Friends will be held on January 3, 2009 on the lawns of Jamaica House.

Shaggy is trying to fulfil his Jamaican dream like no other and so on January 3, 2008, the Shaggy Foundation will be hosting a charity Concert entitled Shaggy and Friends in Concert on the lawns of Jamaica House in order to raise money to donate to the Bustamante Children's Hospital. TEENage fully supports this venture and so our president Garfene Grandison sat down with the man behind it all, Shaggy, to hear all that he had to say:

TEENage: How are preparations going for the concert? Shaggy: They are going great. Everything's good. There were couple hitches here and there but we ironed them out. We recruited some of the best professionals in Jamaica; Sharon Burke, Jackie Tyson, Big Yard, Walter Elmore, Nicky DeMercado. We also have great sponsors and lots of these sponsors are competitors, who have put branding aside to support the cause, like the Jamaica Observer and the Gleaner (laughs). Although Digicel is a major sponsor, we are still looking to have Claro on board.

TEENage: What inspired you to host the charity concert? Shaggy: (exhales) Trust me, it wasn't overnight. I have been involved with the Bustamante Children's Hospital for seven years. From a simple visit to a friend's kid that was in the hospital and it was there that I witnessed the state of the hospital and I pledged to make it better. Over the years, I did well on my pledge by painting, fixing the roof, donating ventilators, as well as building a park. On one occasion when I visited I saw a girl who took a bullet to the head on one of the machines that I had bought, so I wanted to buy more machines in order to facilitate the needs of the sick children.

TEENage: How much money do you hope to raise from the concert? Shaggy: A needs list was given by the hospital of things that were required and it all tallied to the cost of US$2 million. It's not possible to raise all that money from this concert, but it would sure put a dent in the figure.

TEENage: What percentage of the benefits will go to the Bustamante Children's Hospital?

Shaggy: (serious tone) One hundred per cent. All the artistes on the line up are working for free. The only thing that money is being spent on is production, but everything else is sponsorship.

TEENage: What has the response been like about the concert?

Shaggy: Overwhelming. I can feel the essence of the people embracing it. The vibe from the people stopping you on the road and just telling you how much they rate what you doing is phenomenal. People know that it's for a good cause so they will support it and so you don't have to sell it too much.

TEENage:
Will the event be hosted every year or is it a one-time thing?

Shaggy:
Trying to make it annually. (sighs with fatigue).
Jah know; I never know it would have been so hard. I haven't slept a day since I announced it. These people (artistes) are doing a lot for free and we are trying to reach a stage where we can afford to pay the artistes, as well as for the production. It has been hectic though because we are planning a concert like this in two months and it usually takes eight months to a year.

TEENage: How did you appeal to the international acts involved on the show?

Shaggy: (With a modest smirk) Just a phone call. That's all it took. "Do me a favour nuh, I owe you one.' That's how it went down. Lots of other international artistes wanted to come, but the date conflicted with other engagements that they had.

TEENage: What other projects are you currently working on?

Shaggy: Well, Bad Man Nuh Cry was just released, but I haven't really had a chance to promote it. It's a hot song and so although I'm not promoting it a lot it's holding its own. After the concert on the third, I will be able to focus on the marketing and promotion of Bad Man Nuh Cry. In the middle of January I will be in Australia for a tour. I will be doing the production of a lot more music too.

TEENage: What is your Jamaica dream?

Shaggy: Crime reduction. This will cause people's morale to increase, which will in turn raise their confidence which will in turn raise their productivity and which will undoubtedly raise the Jamaica people out of poverty.

"Remember everyone, come out and bring cushions and other forms of seating for a great concert. Tickets are available at all Paymaster locations, Susie's Bakery, White Bones Restaurant, Music Mart (Twin Gates Plaza) at a cost of $5,000 Silver (all-drinks included); $10,000 Gold (VIP all-inclusive); and $20,000 Platinum (super all-inclusive dinner and charity auction with the stars). See you there."

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