Barbados Nation Newspaper - November 27, 2009 (Click above to enlarge)

A LAUNCH INTO international stardom or a clear message that there is more to Barbados than being an outstanding tourism destination? Perhaps, it was a mix of both when three young up-and-coming international songbirds from Barbados – 16-year-old Vita Chambers; Hal Linton, 23, and Shontelle, 23 – were given what is being considered a chance of a lifetime career booster to open and star in the halftime entertainment show at the Silverdome in the United States’ National Football League’s (NFL) traditional Thanksgiving Day game. All three Bajans have music contracts with Motown-Universal and SRP, a music production company headed by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers.

“I hope the whole of Barbados is watching,” Chambers told the WEEKEND NATION just before going onto the field to open the entertainment segment of the game which was a tribute to the famous music label Motown that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary. “This means a lot to me to be able to do this, to be invited to sing before 70,000 people in the stadium and before a live television audience of millions. It’s a chance of a lifetime. It certainly means a great deal, quite a lot to all of us and I hope that Barbadians would see it.” The game and performances were televised yesterday afternoon live on the Fox Channel on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation’s Multi-Choice TV, with the Bajans on show just after 3 p.m. Barbados time.

Shontelle, who helped to close out the six-minute performance that featured half-dozen outstanding artistes, described it as “definitely a major opportunity to appear live before such a large audience and to be a part of a 50th anniversary celebration for Motown which has given the world such legendary artistes as the Supremes, Jackson Five, Michael Jackson and Marvin Gay.” “I have had the opportunity since leaving Barbados to appear in a large stadium and arena and that was always exciting,” she said. “But it was nothing like this. The fact that it is being broadcast live, literally it kind of blows your mind. I really can’t believe it is happening.”

(more…)

The 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show: “A Motown 50th Anniversary Tribute,” will take place during the first game of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tripleheader when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 PM ET on FOX.

Shontelle, Linton and Chambers are all proud of their Bajan roots. “It’s a really proud time for us,” Linton said as he spoke about the rising success of Barbadian musicians. “Barbados is a real musical town and that shows by the amount of artist coming out from there.”

Shontelle adds, “Barbados, the most easterly island in the Caribbean is small, completely accessible and a friendly wonderland, booming with life, wonderful people, vibrant culture and art; the best beaches; top rated hotels and resorts; award-winning restaurants and the best local food on the planet! If you are a nature lover, it doesn’t get much more beautiful than Barbados.”

Shontelle, Hal Linton and Vita Chambers fans can visit www.nfl.com/thanksgiving to find out how to download a copy of the halftime performance, as well as music from the other Motown halftime performers. Proceeds will benefit United Way.

Source: CaribbeanTravel (BTA) | Learn more about Barbados – (more…)