THE GENERAL is indeed moving on but he is not yet with the Master.

A concerned and very much alive Edwin Yearwood has dispel rumors that spread throughout the Caribbean that he had passed on.

The krosfyah lead singer said he got word of his death when he arrived home from Trinidad yesterday morning.

“As soon as I land I started to hear this thing. A few people that used to belong to Dread And The Bald Head called me actually crying,” said Yearwood, adding that he had similar calls throughout the day.

He said he did not know where the rumour started, but he got a call from Antigua and the news was spreading in Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica and Trinidad as well.

Reports of his sudden demise sent promoters in Trinidad who had booked him for some appearances into a panic and he has had to reassure them.

“I’m alive and well. I’m just glad to be able to speak and tell you that,” he said to his fans.

The news took him for a loop, he added, and made his mother Margaret very concerned. But other than being “a little rundown”, he insisted that all was well.

Yearwood spent two days in Trinidad, where he performed with Bunji Garlin and worked on a remix of Nah Missing Me.

The triple-crown monarch is also working on his second album for VP Records, which is due for release in the new year.

Those who still need reassurance that he is alive can see him tonight at the Spirit Of The Nation Show at the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, the Soca Village in Bayley’s, St Philip, or at the University of the West Indies.

There are promises of a revamped Barbados Music Awards when the prestigious event comes off next year.

The five year old Barbados Music Awards has become one of the most anticipated events on the local entertainment calendar.

And while it has always looked good from the outside, Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Morris recently told a private launch, the event has had several challenges.

One of these he says has been maintaining the high standard of the show due to the high cost of staging it.

But the young entrepreneur is not daunted and he and his team have overhauled the event.

That change to the nomination process will see … additional judges on the panel rather than the 36 used in previous year.

But beyond the glitz and glamour of the awards, Mr. Morris notes that several studies have been carried out on the industry in Barbados and these have been very insightful.

One of these, a three year study of the local music industry, showed that artists were starting their careers too late.

A quick look at some of the nominees shows international artist Rihanna with five nominations, Best Collaboration, with T.I for Live Your Life; Best Artist Pop/Rock/Alternative; Song of the Year for Disturbia, Video of the Year where she is nominated twice for Take a Bow and Disturbia and Female Entertainer of the year.

Songbird Ayana John is next with four. She is up for Best collaboration, working LRG on the song Paper Chase, which is also nominated for Song of the Year. She’s also being considered for R&B Soul Artist - and Female Entertainer of the Year.

There’s also Justin King of the band Strategy and Calypsonian Stabby, they both have two nominations.

BMA Special Awards

* Lifetime Achievement Award- Square One
* International Lifetime Achievement Award- Regina Belle
* Living Legend- Anthony Walrond
* Award of Merit- Winston Jordan
* Cornerstone Awards
* Cornerstone- Ivory
* Cornerstone- Wayne Poonka Willock
* Cornerstone- Merle Niles
* Cornerstone- Win Callendar

Best Collaboration

* Tara and Blood- This Is Fete
* Ayana John and LRG- Paper Chase
* Janna and Rasheeda- Candy World
* Rihanna and T.I.- Live Your Life
* Ruby Tech and Damian Marvay- Hustle

Best New Artist

* Justin King
* Livii Franc
* Stabby De Guard
* Janna and Rasheeda
* Toby Armstrong and Blues Explosion

Ragga / Mid- Tempo Soca Single of the Year

* Wrong Gal- Red Plastic Bag
* Natahlee- Sun To Sun
* Krosfyah feat. Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
* Justin King- Soaking Wet
* Gorg- Tipsy

Soca (up-tempo) Single

* Stabby- Go Stabby
* Blood- That Is What I Talking Bout
* Khiomal- Unleash De Beast
* Edwin Yearwood- Handle Ya Business
* Kirk Brown- Show Me

Best Social Commentary

* Mr. Impact- Where Is My Country
* Adrian Clarke- Put That In Ya Song
* Red Plastic Bag- De Government Change
* Sheldon Hope- How Much Longer
* Classic- They Dun See

Soca / Calypso Album Of The Year

* Soca 2008- South Central Management
* Blood Ties- Redd Head Records
* Loaded- Monsta Piece
* More Fire Blazing- De Red Boys
* Feeling Nas- Dwaintrobus

Best Non- Soca Compilation

* Unpolished Underdogs- Triple E
* Best Christmas Ever- CRS
* Mojo Vibes- Lethal Studios

Reggae Artist of the Year

* Buggy
* David Kirton
* Seth Billy

Gospel Artist of the Year

* Paula Hinds
* Lana Spooner
* Hosia Hinds
* Crystal Cummins- Beckles
* Suzanne Dottin

Jazz Artist of the Year

* Rosemary Phillips
* David Ziggy Walcott
* Marissa Lindsay
* Black Clay Soil
* Andre Woodvine

R&B / Soul Artist

* Ayana John
* Hal Linton
* Shontelle
* J-Co
* Damian Marvay

Pop / Rock / Alternative Artist

* Kite
* Rihanna
* Nexcyxx
* Phillip 7
* Toby Armstrong and Blues Explosion

R & B / Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

* Trezay
* Ruby Tech
* Fantom Dundeal
* Nitro
* Wizzurd

Song of the Year

* Shontelle- T-Shirt
* Rihanna- Disturbia
* Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
* Ayana John feat. LRG- Paper Chase
* Rupee- Feet Don’t Fail Me Now

Video of the Year Male

* Krosfyah feat. Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
* Buggy- Outside Lady
* Kirk Brown feat. Danny Reid- Baby
* Fantom Dundeal- One Minute
* Khiomal- Start De Madness

Video of the Year Female

* Tara- All Night
* Rihanna- Disturbia
* Shontelle- T-Shirt
* Tejay- Chimmie Pappa
* Rihanna- Take A Bow

Album of the Year

* De Red Boys- More Fire Blazing
* Krosfyah- Journey
* Redd Head Records- Blood Ties
* Dwain Anthrobus- Feeling Nas
* Triple E- Unpolished Underdogs

Band of the Year

* Strategy
* Fully Loaded
* Krosfyah
* Massala
* Nexcyxx

Producer of the Year

* KB #
* Peter Coppin
* De Red Boys
* Radar
* Anderson Armstrong

Songwriter of the Year

* Answar
* Edwin Yearwood
* Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire
* Janice Lady J Devonish
* Chrystal Cummins- Beckles

Female Entertainer Of The Year

* Rihanna
* Shontelle
* Natahlee
* Tarah
* Ayana John

Male Entertainer of the Year

* Buggy
* Kirk Brown
* Khiomal
* Hal Linton
* David Kirton

Legendary bandleader Byron Lee lost his battle with cancer yesterday. The soca icon died at the University Hospital of the West Indies at the age of 73.

Lee, fondly referred to as “The Dragon”, had been fighting transitional cell cancer and was being treated in Miami, Florida, USA. He was returned to Jamaica by air ambulance on October 25, where he was treated at the Tony Thwaites Wing.

The Dragon’s daughter, Juliane Lee Samuels, told The Gleaner, “The family of The Honourable Byron Lee Sr, OJ, regretfully confirm that he passed away peacefully today (yesterday). He fought a very brave battle with cancer and was in hospital surrounded by his family and close friends. He will be remembered not only as an excellent musician, but as a very kind, generous, humble and talented man, who was always working to use music to unite persons of all ages, races and people from all walks of life.”

Lee is survived by his wife, Sheila, sons, Byron Jr, Edward John, daughters, Deanna, Judith, Julianne and Danielle, as well as grandchildren, Amelia, Alexander, Jessica, Victoria, Amanda, Jaden and Dylan.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding responded to the tragedy in a statement yesterday, saying, “Jamaica, and indeed the world, has lost another great music pioneer with the passing this morning of Byron Lee, one of the greatest bandleaders ever to grace the entertainment stages of the world.”

The Prime Minister noted that Lee had excelled not only as a musician, with his band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, but was known to be one of the best promoters, label and studio owners, and could be credited for the explosion in popularity of Jamaica’s music as far back as the 1960s.

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, with responsibility for entertainment, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, said she was deeply saddened by the passing of Lee, adding that Jamaica has lost another of its “great sons of our music and culture”.

The People’s National Party also expressed their sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of Lee.

Lee was known for hits such as “Tiny Winey”, and was recently conferred with the Order of Jamaica during a special ceremony at the hospital. The Order of Jamaica is the nation’s fourth-highest honour. Lee was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1982, which was upgraded to Commander class in 2007.

Lee’s career spans more than 50 years, and he is credited with being one of the leading musicians to bring Jamaican music to the world. According to yahoomusic. com, when Bob Marley was a struggling, young musician and a member of the little-known Wailers, Lee was perhaps the most well-known Jamaican bandleader in the world.

Courtesy Jamaica Gleaner

Yes, she looks great and it works for her.

She must have three full-time stylists working for her to find this stuff, and I really need to know the location of these secret bad girl steez getup stores so I can get in on that action.

It does seem a little slutty, don’t it. In a hot, hot way, but still … She always looks so fly, except for that leather cup thing, we could do without.

Before y’all hate, hear this …

The reason we can all love Ri despite the fact that she’s not the best singer, makes us want to cut our long hair, is maybe cheating on my crush Chris Brown, and owns more gorgeous clothes than all of us put together … is because in addition to being beautiful in a non-cookie cutter sort of way, this woman owns confidence.  Just walking down the sidewalk she teaches a lesson or two in confidence.

Trinidad & Tobago Soca artiste Destra Garcia spanking brand-new release for the 2009 Soca season “Sassiness”. This is her follow up to “Hott”, which continues to burn up the Trinidad charts.

Destra and her band is currently touring simultaneously working on her new album 2009. Fans have a lot in store for them with her new direction and musical rythms bound to rip the charts up for 2009.

JAMES BLUNT, Angie Stone and Crisette Michelle are among headliners for the 16th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival slated for January 12 to 18.

Though it may seem like a turnaround from this year’s focus on traditional jazz, producer Gilbert Rowe recently reported that he was comfortable with the 2009 line-up.

“Every year is special, every year is totally different. There has never been a line-up that I haven’t felt comfortable with,” Rowe said.

He said the headliners were not an attempt to target the youth, but described the selection as being “2009 compliant”.

Traditional jazz and Latin lovers have not been left out; Joshua Redman, Harvey Mason, DD Bridgewater, Glen Lewis and Hilario Duran are also in the mix.

“We have brought artistes that are more known to a mass situation of young people. But everybody knows James Blunt, the young and the old, everybody knows Angie Stone. We have balanced the festival, there is something for everyone,” he stated.

The seven-day festival, which was officially launched on Sunday at the Crane Hotel, will see performances at Sunbury Plantation, Heritage Park, the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Complex, The Crane Hotel and Farley Hill National Park. Rowe said he was awaiting confirmation on another venue.

Siccaturie Alcock, P/K/A Jah Cure, is the new “High Priest of Reggae.” From the age of 3, music reverberated through his small frame and hypnotized the souls of all those who listened to his music.

Jah Cure’s new album, “THE UNIVERSAL CURE,” his first recorded album since his release from prison, is scheduled to be shipped worldwide in November, 2008. The first single off that album, “Hot Long Time,” featuring Flo-Rida, Mavado and Jr. Reid, was recently released in the Caribbean. This collaboration is the first of many for Cure. The album contains collaborations with several artists, crossing the reggae, hip-hop, Latin, and R&B genres. Another single, “Mr. Jailer,” will be released from “The Universal Cure” album in the U.S. and Europe in September, 2008. Another track from the album, “Journey,” is also on the reggae compilation album, Jouney Riddims, now available worldwide on iTunes.

Cure was already on his way to becoming an international success when his life took a radical turn in 1998. He was stopped and arrested late one night in Montego Bay and charged with crimes, all of which he denied. He has maintained his innocence to this day all through his arrest, trial and incarceration. A non-jury trial was convened, where Cure’s defense lawyer based his case on “Identification vs. Recognition” case law. Unfortunately, based on one victim’s claim that he sounded like one of the perpetrators, Cure was sentenced in 1999 to 15 years in prison.

After serving eight years in jail, Cure was released from prison on July 28, 2007. His goal now is to spread love and to promote peace and healing, universally through his music. He believes his incarceration was Jah’s way of teaching him humility, kindness, forgiveness and love for his fellow man. Consequently, he has forgiven all those who have done him wrong, and all those who have judged him unjustly and unfairly.

Cure was born in Hanover, Jamaica on October 11, 1978. As a young man, he’d sneak out of his bedroom window late at night to visit local dance halls and stage shows. He also attended the annual Reggae Sunsplash in his community, where he saw the great Reggae icons performing: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffith, Garnett Silk, Yami Bolo, Jacob Miller and Black Uhuru. By the age of 11, he made the decision to become a part of that elite group — becoming a reggae star and an icon was his dream and his sole mission. Initially using the name “Little Melody,” Siccaturie began his musical onslaught on the public. He soon became the talk of Jamaica and was well on his way to success. His voice started to leave an indelible impression in the streets, and at the age of 15, he moved to Kingston, where he met Capleton, Sizzla and Jah Mason. Little Melody was about to fulfill his dream.

Versatile singer and four-time Barbados Music Award winner Hal Linton signed a “multi-million-dollar”, five-album deal last week with one of the world’s biggest music labels, Universal Motown.

Linton, who was personally signed by Universal Motown president Sylvia Rhone, now becomes label mate to fellow Barbadian singer Shontelle Layne, whose new hit “T-shirt” is steadily rising on the charts, as well as recording stars such as Lil Wayne, Nelly and Ashanti. Parent company, Universal Music Group, has also boasted artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Toni Braxton and Elton John.

In an exclusive interview with www.nationnews.com, Linton expressed satisfaction at attaining the goal he set out to achieve over three years ago when he put out the single Cardiac Arrest, which first gained him attention in Barbados.

“When I put that song out three years ago, this was my goal. I wanted the world to sit up and take notice,” he said during a telephone interview from New York City, where he has been based for over a year, working with manager Teneille Doyle to get to this point. Doyle paid tribute to Invest Barbados, which provided the financial backing for Linton which allowed him to focus on developing his product and image.

“They put their financial support behind Hal and believed in the vision we had. They trusted us even though this is still a new thing to Barbados. It has been almost a year since they approved the funds for Hal Linton’s project and I’m glad to say that the objective we had when we went to them - we did it,” Doyle told www.nationnews.com.

Since May, Linton has been working with the Syndicated Rhythm Productions of team Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers. Rogers, who is married to Barbadian Jackie Rogers, is well known in musical circles as the man who discovered Rihanna and who was also instrumental in helping Shontelle

land her contract with Universal Motown. He also had a hand in helping shape Linton’s sound as he prepared for his major label debut.

“Everybody should be very proud and excited. You’re going to hear some great music from Hal Linton,” said Rogers.

Linton’s deal makes him the fifth Barbadian artiste to be signed to a major label in the last four years, the others being Rupee, who signed to Atlantic Records in 2004, Rihanna with Def Jam in 2005, Shontelle with Universal Motown in 2006, and Livvi Franc with Jive Records in 2007.

Rogers said this was a clear indication of the depth and diversity of musical talent in Barbados.

“For Barbados, I think it’s huge that this small island has all these artistes signed to major labels and they’re all different. Barbados is producing all kinds of diverse musical styles.”

The 2008 International Soca Awards were held in St Kitts on Saturday October 18th.

Machel Montano once again dominated the celebrations winning 6 awards. These included ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Male Soca Artist of the Year’, ‘Performer of the Year’, ‘Best Soca Collaboration’, ‘Soca Band of the Year’ & ‘Song Writer of the Year’ (w/ Kernal Roberts).

St. Lucian star Ricky T won (4) awards including ‘Favorite Up-Tempo Soca’, ‘Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration of the Year’ (w/ Mr Vegas), ‘Soca Road Mix of the Year’ and ‘Soca Song of the Year’ (tied with Faye-Ann Lyons).

Also grabbing up four (4) awards was female sensation Faye-Ann Lyons, ‘Female Soca Artist of the Year’, ‘Soca Song of the Year’, ‘Female Performer of the Year’, ‘Favorite Up Tempo Soca of the Year’. Songstress Patrice Roberts was given the nod for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Favorite Groovy Soca’ for her song ‘Wukkin Up’.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best New Female Soca Artist
Zoelah

Favorite Up-tempo Soca – Male
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Female Soca Vocalist of the Year
Mo Wuk by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Soca Information Website
www.toronto-lime.com

Best Soca Compilation Rhythm
Lego Me Riddim

International Soca DJ of the Year
DJ Spice

Favorite Groovy Soca – Female
Wukking Up by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Groovy Soca – Male
Soka Junkie by Mr Dale

Soca Humor of the Year
Phone Card by Crazy

Soca Song Writer of the Year
Kernel Roberts & Machel Montano - (Unconditional Love, Blaze D Trail, Make Love)

Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration of the Year
Pressure Boom (Remix) by Ricky T. ft. Mr. Vegas

Best Soca Collaboration Groove
Gyal Farm by Kerwin Du Bois & Shal Marshall

Best Soca Music Video
Desire by Skhi

Best DJ Soca Mix CD of the Year
Soca Twins Addicted 2 Soca Mix CD 08

Soca Artist Album/CD of the Year
Flame On by Machel Montano

Soca Road Mix of the Year
Leh Go Me Riddim - Ricky T - Pressure Boom (Road Mix)

Soca Producer of the Year
Kerwin Du Bois - (Breathless, 2 Days, Gyal Farm)

Soca Chutney Song of the Year
Bring It by Hunter

Overall Female Soca Artist of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

Overall Male Soca Artist of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Song of the Year
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Best New Male Soca Artist of the Year
Problem Child

Favorite Soca Online Radio
www.soca919.com

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year
Carnival Please Stay by Shurwayne Winchester

Female Soca Performer of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons

Male Soca Performer of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Duo or Group of the Year
3 Canal

Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo of the Year
Machel Montano & Mighty Sparrow - Congo Man

Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year
Soca Gold - Various Artist 1 2008

Favorite up Tempo Soca of the Year – Female
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons

Over All Soca Band of the Year
Machel Montano HD

Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year
Hunter

Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year
JMC Triveni

Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the year
Hunter & Bunji Garlin - I Want Meh Rum

For more info, please visit www.socaawards.com

Rihanna’s new song “Sexuality” has been unveiled in an almost-two-minute snippet. Reportedly carrying samples from Prince’s 1981 hit single “Controversy”, the tune is rumored to be listed on her upcoming fourth not-yet-titled effort.

In related news, the Def Jam’s artist is reportedly set to enter the recording room with Bollywood singer Aneek Dhar. They will reportedly collaborate on a romantic duet on Dhar’s debut album, “Khwaishein”. Dhar’s producer says, “It’s true that we are going to work together with the two artists. The music of Rihanna is very popular in India. We hope to do it within the next three months and also make a video together.”

Elsewhere, Rihanna has been nominated for “Act of 2008″ at this year’s MTV European Music Awards, battling Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, Coldplay, and Leona Lewis. The awards’ winners from all categories will be announced at Liverpool Echo Arena on Thursday, November 6.