Four To Get Dennis Brown (MEM) Lifetime Achievement Award, February 2, 2008, New York

New York, January 24, 2008 – The Dennis Brown Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to four individuals whose contributions best reflect the ideals of the late reggae recording legend of the same name.

The awards will be presented during ceremonies at the Dennis Brown Memorial Organization’s (DBMO) Third Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner at the Ramada Adria Hotel & Conference Center, in Bayside, New York, on Saturday, February 02, 2008, starting at 8:00 pm.

The four; Hon. Dr. Una S.T. Clarke – community leader/politician; Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake – musicologist; Tony Ryan – Entrepreneur/musicologist and Ken Williams – Entrepreneur/broadcaster, are being cited for, “their pioneering initiatives that have contributed to the development, acceptance and preservation of our popular culture overseas”, according to Robert ‘Bob’ DeSouza, CEO of Trans-Continental Express Shippers and a member of the event’s planning committee.

In keeping with the mission of the organization, the annual event seeks to honor the legacy of the acclaimed “Crown Prince of Reggae” by recognizing those individuals and organizations that influenced the development of the late singer in one form or another.

Alongside the lifetime achievement tokens, the DBMO – New York, will present a one year academic scholarship to one deserving student of Jamaican heritage, enrolled in a recognized tertiary educational institution.

This year’s scholar is 18 years old LaVonna Shettlesworth of Long Island, a first year student at Syracuse University in Upstate New York.

DMBO – NY President Junior Ewart noted that if the last two outings are anything to go by, then this year’s event will provide patrons with another opportunity to reminisce on the outstanding career of the late singer, “who left us way too early”.

“Dennis Brown gave reggae music a presence on the international stage and for that we are grateful. His legacy will forever warm our musical consciousness”, Ewart said.

Complimenting the evening’s progmamme will be an entertainment package with The Ruff Stuff Band, Ed Robinson and DJ’s Carlton and Mike.

The DBMO – New York aims to preserve the legacy left by the late singer who died on July 1, 1999, at the age of 42 years old, after a short illness.