In an attempt to “Bahamianize” the upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, a slate of veteran Bahamian musicians have decided to lend their full support to the festivities by holding a prelude concert on April 11 at Arawak Cay entitled “It’s a Bahamian Ting”.

Kirkland “K.B.” Bodie, Eugene “Geno-D” Davis, Ira Storr, Philip “Spider” Fernander, Clay “Q-Pid” Adderley, and Leader of the Rhythm Band Reuben Deleveaux were among the distinguished panel of speakers at a press conference held yesterday at the British Colonial Hilton to announce what they deemed a fight to safeguard Bahamian culture.

The group expressed that with the recent announcements made by Prime Minister Perry Christie and subsequently the Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, which emphasized all things Bahamian, they thought it necessary to get involve and showcase their “support of goodwill as a prelude to the festivities of the upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.”

Mr. Wilchcombe, who was also in attendance to endorse the idea, disclosed that although there is still no word from the Carnival Commission regarding a headliner for the event, he is satisfied to know that more Bahamian artists will be a part of the upcoming inaugural event.

“I think the commission is still working toward having someone to come and be a part of the incredible event that’s being planned. As I’ve always said, whoever comes, comes as a guest, but the focus has to be Bahamians,” Mr. Wilchcombe said.

“I am so very pleased and proud today that the great Bahamian sons, the young men like K.B. and Ira and Eugene Davis and all the others are here making their announcement, taking ownership of their country, taking ownership of their culture, taking ownership of this event as it ought to have been from the very beginning. I think it’s going to enhance the event,” he added.
Long time Bahamian musician and singer of Bahamian hits such as “Bush Mechanic” and “She Fat” K.B noted that initially he did not support the carnival idea because it was foreign to him.

However, in light of the government officials’ recent announcement for the “Bahamianization” of the well-known Trinidadian festival, he has decided to become involved in the huge concert that will kick-off the schedule of events set for the forthcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

“My personal expressions a few weeks ago that “I wish it would fail”, was based upon the direction and focus the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was headed. Like most of my colleague musicians, it appeared to me as well, that this was an event to be held in The Bahamas to the exclusion of known Bahamian musicians and artisans and that those in authority, responsible for the event, were determined to keep it so,” Mr. Bodie said.

“Our culture is a mixture of Goombay, Rake and Scrape and Junkanoo music. Just a few weeks ago, it appeared to us Bahamian musicians that this fact got lost somewhere in the mix of all the fanfare about carnival and the carnival flair of music and costumes. The long and short of it, is that today, we have come to declare that after hearing the prime minster and subsequently the minister of tourism himself publicly endorse the Bahamian-brand insisting that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is to be about Bahamians, our music and our culture, we feel compelled to get involved and do our thing,” he added.

Mr. Wilchcombe confirmed the possible participation of this slate of Bahamian musicians during the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, which must be ultimately sanctioned by the commission. He also suggested the likelihood of having a Bahamian artist as the headliner for the event.

“These guys are great. We have to show some more love to each other and appreciation to the ability that this group has. We have Bahamians who can do it and I am not one of those persons who believe that I need someone to enhance. I don’t. I need Bahamians to enhance what we’re doing by showing some love and support and trust me, the world will come to us,” Mr. Wilchcombe said.