The Tribune

A number of the country's top gospel recording artists will come together this Sunday at 6pm at the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church to host a benefit concert in aid of award-winning singer Vanessa Clarke's medical fund.

The event, which is being held under the theme "Plead My Cause", is being organised by a number of Vanessa's friends from the media and gospel music industry. Vanessa was recently diagnosed with a neurological disorder and is in need of financial assistance to cover her medical expenses. She has to travel abroad to see a team of specialists and her medications have to be imported because there are no known pharmacy in the country that stocks them.

Vanessa started her career in journalism at The Tribune in 1998 as a reporter. She then moved to The Nassau Guardian where she worked for almost 10 years ending her tenure there as lifestyle feature editor. She later joined Love 97 as a reporter and also wrote for The Bahama Journal. She was also at Jones Communications for the launch of the JCN TV Network. After moving to Grand Bahama she became the first correspondent for JCN News in Grand Bahama. She currently works for the Broadcasting Cooperation of the Bahamas in Grand Bahama, where she serves as the technical producer for the news.

She also hosts her own radio show called "The Morning Glory Show" where she motivates and encourages her listeners on a daily basis as the "Divine Lady" on ZNS 810AM.

In 1996, Vanessa won the first Female Vocalist of the Year award at the inaugural edition of the Marlin Awards. She subsequently won three additional Marlin Awards for her participation on several projects. She is also a Cacique Award winner and she was recently nominated for the US-based Praise Factor Awards.

Vanessa has travelled extensively throughout the United States, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands, as well as to many of our Family Islands. She is also a published author of two books, "Ready for Repositioning" and "Like the Dew", a devotional for women which includes an accompanying CD.

Artists confirmed to perform during the "Plead My Cause" benefit concert include Bishop Denczil Rolle & Friends, Shaback, Edison Sumner & Voices of Praise, Tamika Taylor, Kenyatta Taylor, Allison Rolle, Landlord, Harmonious Praise, Tony Lowe, Christian Massive, Sunae Russell, Adventist Praise Reunion Ensemble, Seventh-day Adventist Mass Youth Choir and Nadia Rodríguez Bueno. There will also be a special performance by Vanessa Clarke herself.

Tickets for this highly event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets are available at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, Oasis Bookstore in the Myles E Munroe Diplomat Centre, and The Bible Book & Gift Centre located in the Palmdale Shopping Centre.

For more information and tickets, call 426-0516.