TEENage was elated to be present at the VP Records album media launch and party for their album Reggae’s Gone Country in Negril last Tuesday.

Reggae’s Gone Country is the latest album release by VP Records and is the brainchild of the record label’s vice-president of marketing and promotions Cristy Barber. The project features covers of 13 country classics covered by Jamaican acts.

Cristy Barber described Reggae’s Gone Country as a dream project of hers and that the album’s concept “wasn’t to sell records”, but to “gain exposure for the genre”. Barber serves as the album’s executive producer along with her father Raymond Barber, legendary reggae producer and saxophonist Dean Faster, American singer/songwriter Charlie Pennachio, and John Rich, this year’s winner of Celebrity Apprentice and member of the famous country duo Big & Rich.

Those in attendance at the album launch were treated with performances from various acts featured on the album and country newcomer Bradley Gaskin and the legendary Larry Gatlin.

Bradley Gaskin opened the festivities with an acoustic version of his debut single Mr Bartender.

Duane Stephenson was next up to bat with his vocally impeccable rendition of Eddie Rabbit’s Suspicions and his crowd-pleaser Cottage in Negril.

LUST followed with a performance that attested to their status as one of Jamaica’s premier vocal bands with their cover versions of Flower On The Wall and Just As I Am.

The captain of the Big Ship, Freddie McGregor, continued the steering of the proceeding in the right direction with his performance of Roger Miller’s King Of The Road and his own colossal hit Push Come To Shove.

The ‘Strong One’ Etana then showed that she has the vocal muscles to match country great Patsy Cline by tackling and conquering her song Crazy and her very own I Am Not Afraid.

Tarrus Riley brought the house down with his spin on George Strait’s country ballad The Chair and his cult classic She’s Royal.

Dancehall heavyweight Busy Signal showcased his versatility by rolling the right dice in his performance of Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler with ‘hot head’ adlibs included. He ended his set fittingly with Phil Collins One More Night.

Living country legend and member of the Gatlin Brothers Larry Gatlin gave an impromptu reggae version of Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You). He was later joined by Romaine Virgo to perform California, the lead single off Reggae’s Gone Country.

Romaine Virgo closed the concert in style by delivering a thrilling set of his crowd favourites Mi Caan Sleep and Rain Is Falling.

TEENage deservedly commends VP Records for their latest release and its accompanying concert that proved to be a testament of the unity that has been fostered between the genres reggae and country during the process of this project. TEENage implores all reggae and country lovers to purchase this album.