ECFH adds its voice to the Saint Lucia Music awards

It was the late Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley who said "My music will go on forever”.
With the Saint Lucia Music Awards finally the talents of our local musicians will not go undocumented and take its place in the annals of Saint Lucian and even West Indian history.

The East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Limited has signed on as a gold sponsor of the awards which will feature some of Saint Lucia’s leading and aspiring talent. ECFH has in the past and with this sponsorship continue to assist in the nurturing of local talent. The Group has been a sponsor of many calypso tents like the Take over Tent and South Calypso tent and sponsored the NG Soca stage in its early days. It is also a perennial sponsor of the Saint Lucia School of Music where many young Saint Lucian musicians have developed their skills.

ECFH has recognized that Saint Lucia’s music industry has exponential growth potential and is committed to continuing its support of the development of our entertainment industry and our culture. The group sees this event as an excellent opportunity to give recognition and show appreciation for the work of various singers, songwriters, producers and other key persons who contribute so meaningfully to St. Lucia’s music industry.

It was therefore a natural progression for the ECFH when approached to promptly agree to the sponsorship of the music awards. As part of its sponsorship the Group will present two awards i.e. The Song Writer of the Year and the Best Folk/Traditional single. We at ECFH would like to recognize the nominees in our two sponsored categories.

The nominees were:

Song Writer of the Year

1. Nahum Jn.Baptiste - Still holding on; Doh Cry and Whose Paradise                                     
2. Marcel(Ras Hari) Demille -Till the very end
3. Wenhal (Alpha) Gerald - Tik Tok; Insane                                                                                                                                          

Best Folk/ Traditional Song

1. Stanley(Gentle Bill Jackson) Prospere - So beautiful
2. Ma Mi la Kay - La Comet
3. Royal St. Lucia Police Band - Par Plewe ban mwen

Senior Manager- Marketing and Corporate Communications Mrs. Maria Fowell is of the view that The St. Lucia Music Awards can only augur well for the local music industry and provide more avenues for the development of our local talent.

The Group in its commitment to increasing the level of financial literacy on the island hosted a special seminar on “Financial Planning” for the nominees of its sponsored categories on 26th February, 2008. ECFH hopes that in so doing the artists will have a better understanding of the various financial instruments available and how they can be used to their benefit. Speakers included the Senior Manager - Bank of Saint Lucia Limited Corporate Banking, Mr. Anderson Lake and Junior Fund Manager - Investment Banking Department Dianne Augustin. The nominees also received a special prize from ECFH subsidiary Bank of Saint Lucia Limited in honour of their contribution to the development of the music industry in Saint Lucia.

The Music Awards will be held on February 29th 2008 at Gaiety on Rodney Bay and will see the best of Saint Lucian musical talent. The Group would like to extend congratulations to all the nominees and looks forward to this historic event.

Music expresses inner emotions and displays individual creativity while connecting us to a place in history, music “ENRICHES LIVES!”