The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

DEEMED the “biggest performance ever in Gospel music history for the Bahamas,” members of Shaback delivered a successful concert to end their “One Nation” church tour last Sunday.

The new Evangelistic temple on Collins Avenue was full of excitement as the concert attracted over 500 Shaback supporters and patrons, according to organisers.

The concert served as the gospel community’s post-independence celebration and a tribute to Rev Gary Curry and his wife, who after decades of ministry in the church, will be retiring.

Shaback successfully completed its two-week oversees tour in Jamaica and California and returned home for a final performance to end the tour. Speaking about the tour, Clint Watson, director of Shaback said: “To say it was phenomenal to me is still an understatement.”

“We knew this would have been our best tour in 16 years, but we didn’t expect to experience the kind of success and favour that we got. The Bahamas has truly made its mark these past weeks,” he said.

In Jamaica, Shaback was featured at the Caribbean Baptist Youth Convention Concert, and also made appearances at two of the largest churches in Kingston – the New Testament Church of God, Waltham Park and the New Testament Church of God, Eastwood Park. Other appearances and concerts were at the Windward Road Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Ebony Vale Baptist Church in Spanish Town and the Holiness Christian Church in Portmore, St Catherine.  

Sunday’s highlights included performances from a number of Bahamian gospel artists and friends of Shaback’s ministry.  There was also a special highlight during the show as part of the evening’s tribute, featuring the leading women of Gospel music – Nadine Moss, Necole Watson, Lynn Terez Davis, Eunice Rolle, Tamika Taylor and Mericha Walker.

Gail Mckinney, a member of Shaback’s support staff, said the women performed in-between Shaback’s sets and were “simply amazing to watch”.

“There was also a two part selection performance from Pastor Chris Smith out of Mangrove Cay, Andros. He played the saxophone, accompanied by his daughter on the drums and his son on the piano. They were all excellent, with his first selection being a hymn and the second being a Bahamian medley. They got the crowd moving, being the first up to perform,” said Ms Mckinney.

Before Shaback came onto the stage, the crowd was graced with a performance by the National Choir Workshop of the Bahamas. The national anthem was sung by Miss Angelica Roker.

There was also a presentation shown at the concert, displaying Shaback’s ten day tour and travels to Jamaica and California, said Ms Mckinney.

“The crowd was hype for Shaback to come onto the stage to perform. MC Jack Thompson did a good job at keeping the crowd going,” she said.

Coming to the stage dressed in white tailored jackets, the members of Shaback gave the crowd what they were waiting for, singing original songs. Some of the ladies of Shaback wore long dark coloured denim jean skirts, accented with strings of pearl necklaces. Ms Mckinney said they sang around 15 to 20 songs.

“Patrons applauded, gave standing ovations and kept focused on the performances all night long. Shaback is not just noise, they are skilled, disciplined and it comes forth in their music. They have been in ministry for 16 years now. I think everything was excellent. Persons gathered standing outside before the doors even opened at 6:30,” said Ms Mckinney.

Travis Edgecome, a patron of Sunday’s concert told Tribune Religion: “The concert was great and the music was simply awesome. The songs were original and written by Shaback members and the leading ladies of gospel did a tribute to Pastor Curry, which was very good.”