News items included in this news update:
* JAH PICKNEY WINS A MARLIN AWARD
* JAH PICKNEY SINGS AT REGGAE SUMFEST 2006
* GHETTO REDEMPTION BLESSES U.S. SOLDIER IN IRAQ
* JAH PICKNEY INTRODUCES HIS STRAIGHT STEPPAZ CREW
* JAH PICKNEY TO SING AT THE 2007 SHAI AWARDS
* RECENT PAST PERFORMANCES
**JAH PICKNEY WINS A MARLIN AWARD**
On July 23rd, Jah Pickney received a Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for International Caribbean Recording of the Year - Solo, for his song Heaven, from his Ghetto Redemption CD, at a gala award ceremony held at the Diplomat Centre in Nassau, Bahamas. The Canadian Christian Dancehall Reggae Artist had received two Marlin nominations - the second one being for International Caribbean Collaboration of the Year, for his song Ghetto Redemption featuring Bless a.k.a. Prodigal Son from Jamaica, and is the first Canadian to ever receive a Marlin Award. Jah Pickney was pleased to be included among so many Caribbean Gospel Music greats - including Stitchie, DJ Nicholas, Avion Blackman, Monty G, Jadee, Landlord, Mr. Lynx and many more. Jah Pickney sang at all three events during the four-day Marlin Fest celebration.
In addition to receiving his own award, Jah Pickney was honoured to present the award for Dancehall Recording of the Year, to his great friend Stitchie, for his song Fast & Pray. During his acceptance speech, Stitchie invited Jah Pickney to stand next to him while he told the audience the story of the first time they met - at Sumfest '97 - where Jah Pickney presented Stitchie with a little Gideon New Testament. Stitchie was saved through that little Bible and now felt it was very appropriate that nine years later, Jah Pickney was once again presenting Stitchie with another "award".
Check out the new videos on the media page at www.jahpickney.com, including a video from the Marlin Awards and a new Marlin Awards photo album.
**JAH PICKNEY SINGS AT REGGAE SUMFEST 2006**
Jah Pickney visited Jamaica from July 8th to 20th, along with his parents, for evangelistic outreach in the Montego Bay area. With YWAM MoBay as their host and home base, the small team spent two weeks sharing the gospel message one-on-one with those they met on the streets and in the markets, as well as through Jah Pickney concerts. Jah Pickney brought the message of Christ through a concert to about 60 children and teens in the Canterbury ghetto. He was also able to visit the Copse Boys Home - singing for them, teaching some of the boys hand-drumming, and playing with them.
Through a series of events and encounters that only God could orchestrate, Jah Pickney was invited to sing on stage at Reggae Sumfest's 2006 Mad Monday Street Party in Montego Bay, Jamaica - before a crowd of about 10,000 people! Sumfest is the world's largest reggae festival - attracting reggae lovers from around the globe for the week long event. Following his bold performance of Stand Up and He's Real, the audience screamed for more and Jah Pickney was brought back on stage to do an encore of He's Real. The media "ate him up" - taking photographs and videos throughout his performance and then swarming him when he came down from the stage to do a TV interview and a live radio interview. Although this year's Reggae Sumfest did not include an official "gospel" night, as some other years have, the gospel was clearly proclaimed to those 10,000 people who attended Mad Monday. Praise the Lord!
Check out the video clip of Jah Pickney's performance at Reggae Sumfest 2006 on the media page at: www.jahpickney.com.
Jah Pickney also shared his testimony and music with Jamaican teens attending YWAM's Access Camp - where the Christian teens where learning how to share their faith with others. His father spoke to the teens on Knowing God's Will and How To Be Creative in Ministry. Jah Pickney also did a concert at The Family Church on the Rock Teens meeting and shared in music ministry at their Sunday morning worship service.
It was a great joy for Jah Pickney to be able to visit YWAM Stone's Hope, where he helped with hurricane relief and VBS ministry during a mission trip last summer. He had a great time getting re-acquainted with and playing with the children who live on the base. He brought each of the eleven children a toy bunny that had been donated by a friend in his home church. The children were thrilled with their new toys.
Check out the new Jamaica 2006 photo album on the media page at: www.jahpickney.com.
**SOLDIER IN IRAQ BLESSED BY GHETTO REDEMPTION CD**
We recently received a phone call from a U.S. Soldier who had just returned to his home in Atlanta, Georgia after completing a term of duty in Iraq. This Christian soldier, who is a native of Trinidad & Tobago, had called to tell us that while he was stationed in Iraq, he had picked up Jah Pickney's Ghetto Redemption CD and that it had been a blessing to him while he was away from home in a land of unrest and turmoil. We praise God for how He is using Ghetto Redemption to touch lives literally around the world.
Jah Pickney recently added back-up dancers to his Ghetto Redemption tour. Marie-Eve and Michelle Gobeil, joined Jah Pickney for the first time as his Straight Steppaz Crew, in his performance at Gospel Bashment in Toronto on June 25, 2006. Jah Pickney and his newly formed Straight Steppaz Crew had the audience on their feet learning some of the hottest new dance steps out of Jamaica. Then the Crew powerfully choreographed dance moves to Jah Pickney's already powerful He's Real lyrics. As well as having dancing talents, Marie-Eve's voice can also be heard doing the sweet background vocals on Heaven, Truth and He's Real on Jah Pickney's Ghetto Redemption album.
Check out a video clip of Jah Pickney & The Straight Steppaz Crew at their debut performance on the media page at: www.jahpickney.com.
**JAH PICKNEY TO SING AT THE SHAI AWARDS**
January 25, 2007 - Shai Awards (Edmonton, Alberta)
Jah Pickney has been invited to sing at Canada's Gospel Music Shai Awards in Edmonton, Alberta in January 2007. The Shai Awards (formerly known as the VIBE Awards) does not as yet include a reggae music category for artists' submissions but promoters of the relatively new Canadian Gospel Music Awards are interested in adding reggae to the list of categories for next year. They also hope to introduce Christian reggae music to the Canadian Christian music listening audience at large, by having Jah Pickney perform at the 2007 event. The 2007 Shai Awards is combining with Breakforth, Canada's largest Christian festival and is expected to be a SOLD OUT event.
August 12, 2006 - STAR Reunion (Tweed, Ontario)
Jah Pickney attended and performed at the dedication and thanksgiving service for New Day Ministries' newly acquired building - the Tweed Playhouse. An altar was constructed in the garden outside the Playhouse, as a permanent reminder of God's goodness and the prayers and hard work of the founders of the ministry.
August 7, 2006 - Revival Time Tabernacle Caribbean Celebration Concert (Downsview, Ontario)
Jah Pickney performed at this event that coincides with the Caribana celebrations in Toronto each year. This year's concert also featured Jamaican Christian reggae artists Chevelle Franklyn, Kerron Ennis and Papa San. DJ Nicholas (Jamaica) was also scheduled to sing but was unable to make his connecting flight into Toronto.
June 30, 2006 - Bonebash (Belleville, Ontario)
After a one year hiatus, bonebash returned with another great festival of punk/rock music, to the pleasure of all who had attended the successful debut event in 2004. Jah Pickney again gave the punk/rock event a little taste of Jamaica with his reggae performance. Some of the other bands who performed on the newly constructed stage were: bonedaddy (Belleville), Postage Stamps (Toronto), Heroes & Villains (Montreal), Henri Faberge & the Adorables (Toronto), Proeliis Fere (Guelph), Royal School Series (Hamilton), Cincinnati Connection (Trenton), and As We Cascade (Brighton).
June 25, 2006 - Gospel Bashment (Toronto, Ontario)
Jah Pickney and his Straight Steppaz Crew (dancers) performed together for the first time at this Christian dancehall reggae event, teaching the audience a few of the newest dance moves in Jamaica. Also performing were: Lyta (Bahamas), L-egant (New York), Mr. J (Bahamas) and DJ Evangelist (Toronto).
June 10, 2006 - Reaching Out (Belleville, Ontario)
Jah Yout Productions presented an evening of great Christian music, featuring several Belleville area gospel music artists. The concert was a fund-raiser in support of mission work in Jamaica. It was an awesome evening of praise and celebration with Matt & Sara Harris, Shawna Courneyea, Rob Rapino and Jah Pickney - raising over $500 for missions.
Jah Pickney Ministries & Jah Yout Productions
Changing lives through reggae music
**Jah Pickney Will Represent Canada at the Marlin Awards**
BELLEVILLE, ON - Local reggae musician, Jah Pickney, is proud to be representing Canada at this year’s 10th Annual Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, in Nassau, Bahamas on July 23rd, 2006.
Nominations for the 2006 Marlin Awards have just been released, and Jah Pickney has received nominations in two International categories. The nominations are for: International Caribbean Solo Recording of the Year for his song Heaven and International Caribbean Collaboration of the Year for his song Ghetto Redemption featuring Bless aka Prodigal Son from Jamaica. Both of these songs are from Jah Pickney’s newest CD, also titled Ghetto Redemption, which was released last summer on his own Jah Yout Productions label.
Jah Pickney is the first Canadian born musician to ever be nominated in these prestigious awards, whose purpose is to recognize and honour outstanding achievement in Caribbean Gospel Music. Pickney has also been invited to sing during Marlin Fest at the Diplomat Center in Nassau, Bahamas. Marlin Fest is four days of celebration from July 20th - 23rd, with the Gala Award Ceremony being held on Sunday, July 23, 2006. Pickney will be attending the four-day festival following a short-term mission trip to Jamaica from July 8th - 20th.
**WEBSITE UPDATES**
There are now 6 photo albums (close to 100 pictures) to browse through on
the photo page at www.jahpickney.com. Check out the new photo albums and
click on Making Ghetto Redemption, to see a behind the scenes view of the
making of the album, including recording, mixing, mastering and pictures of
the guest artists. Choose CD Launch Party, to view pictures from the
Ghetto Redemption Launch Party Concert at the Empire Theatre in Belleville,
ON; or Jamaica 2005, to see pictures of Jah Pickney's ministry in Jamaica
this past summer. Other photo albums include pictures of Jah Pickney &
Friends, Promo shots of Jah Pickney and photos from Jah Pickney's first
mission trip in Jamaica 1997.
** GHETTO REDEMPTION - LAUNCH PARTY CONCERT**
Jah Pickney rocked the Empire Theatre in Belleville, ON, on October 16th, in celebration of the launch of his new Ghetto Redemption CD.
As the crowds gathered into the luxurious theatre, prior to the show, a slide presentation of "The Making of Ghetto Redemption" flashed on a giant screen, while an instrumental version of the Ghetto Redemption album played. The slides included pictures of everyone involved in the making of the album and every stage of the project. Emcee, Cliff Linnard of Jah Yout Productions kept the audience entertained - wearing a different shirt every time he came on stage.
Jah Pickney gave his best performance ever - including sharing his testimony in rhyme. Pickney sang most of the songs from Ghetto Redemption, as well as a couple from his Jah Love and From the Heart albums. The lyrics of each song were displayed behind the artist for the 'patois impaired', allowing the audience to grasp every word and to sing along. With the help of four young dancers who joined him on stage, Jah Pickney taught his audience the "Clean It Up" dance. What an awesome sight to see, everyone mopping it up, scrubbing it up and doing the 'wax on, wax off' actions - as they "cleaned up the dancehall for Christ".
Following Jah Pickney's energy-packed concert, emcee Cliff presented the Lineage recording team, consisting of Tim 'Jah Pickney' Linnard and his two brothers Jeremy and Brad, with a plaque to acknowledge their excellent work on Ghetto Redemption. Jah Pickney was also presented with a plaque in celebration of the completion of this his 3rd Christian reggae album.
A brief multimedia presentation was given to introduce Jah Pickney ministries and to show the destruction in Jamaica following hurricane Ivan. A portion of the proceeds of the event was sent to YWAM Stone's Hope in Jamaica, to assist them in replacing chairs that were lost during the storm in 2004.
In response to the crowd's continuous chanting for Trinity Divinity, the concert concluded with Jah Pickney returning to the stage to sing the multi-award nominated reggae/Soca favourite. The Empire Theatre was truly alive with everyone in the theatre jumping and waving their handkerchiefs and streamers in the air, in celebration of our Triune God.
To see pictures of the Ghetto Redemption Launch Party Concert, go to the
photo page on Jah Pickney's website at www.jahpickney.com.
**JAMAICA ADVENTURE MISSION 2005**
Jah Pickney, along with 50 other team members from Canada, traveled to Jamaica this summer for ministry. Arriving at the Sangster International airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the team traveled 31/2 hours by buses to the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Stone's Hope base near Mandeville in Manchester, Jamaica. This YWAM base operates an affordable elementary school for the children in the community - teaching them the 3 R's as well as giving them solid Biblical teaching.
In September 2004, the Stone's Hope base was hard hit by hurricane Ivan, which ripped the roofs off many of their buildings and poured damaging rains on the contents of everything inside - destroying all their office equipment, computers, school supplies, furniture, books, and the structural integrity of the buildings themselves!
During the two weeks that they were in Jamaica, the Canadian mission team helped to repair several buildings on the base and to provide new computers, printers, school supplies, bedding and a new microwave oven for the kitchen, with support they had raised back home.
The team was also involved in evangelistic outreach through prison ministry, orphanage visitation, medical clinic ministry, community football and basketball outreach, VBS (Vacation Bible School) programs in the Cross Keys and Knockpatrick communities, youth ministries in three area churches, Sunday church ministry and three Jah Pickney concerts.
To see pictures of the 2005 Jamaica Mission Trip, go to the photo page on
Jah Pickney's website at www.jahpickney.com.
**JAH PICKNEY PRODUCES OTHER CHRISTIAN ARTISTS**
In July 2005, Christian reggae/hip hop artist Gernado, of Florida, traveled to Canada to record in our Lineage Recording Studios. Tim "Jah Pickney" Linnard had the great pleasure of working with the artist to record and produce a new track for Gernado's upcoming 2nd album. On his debut album, entitled "Persistence", Gernado sings over 3 of Jah Pickney's original riddims, on "Be Blessed", "With All My Heart" and "Psalm One". For this new track, Gernado chose to use Jah Pickney's Utopia riddim.
Dunamis, who is featured on Jah Pickney's "Yuh Never Know" on Ghetto Redemption, has been working on his debut album, recording his new track "Don't Judge" on Jah Pickney's hip-hop flavoured Front Page riddim. The album is set to be released in November 2005.
Recording at Lineage Recording Studios, adult contemporary Christian artist, Dana Rogalsky, recently completed her debut CD Prisoner of Hope. Tim "Jah Pickney" Linnard co-produced a number of the songs on the album, as well as playing percussion on most. Dana will be celebrating the launch of her new CD, at Calvary Temple in Belleville, ON, on November 25 at 7:30 pm. Jah Pickney will be playing percussion with the band, accompanying worship leader Jody Cross, who is also performing at the event.
**JAH PICKNEY'S BRAND NEW WEBSITE**
Just in time to promote the release of his brand new third album, "Ghetto
Redemption", Jah Pickney launches an all new website! Still located at
www.jahpickney.com, fans and friends can enjoy browsing the all new site
with an entirely new layout, listening to an audio promo for the new
album"Ghetto Redemption" - to be released July 26, 2005, viewing lots of
new pictures, hearing sound clips from the new album, and a whole lot more!
**SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER**
Beginning July 26, 2005, for a limited time only, Jah Pickney is offering a FREE bonus "Ghetto Redemption Mega Mix CD" with the purchase of "Ghetto Redemption"only from his web store.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the term Mega Mix, a Mega Mix is a remix containing multiple songs or portions of songs in rapid succession, often enhanced by sound effects and infused with DeeJay calls. A style familiar to the dancehalls and sound systems of Jamaica, it is fitting that Jah Pickney create a Mega Mix of this his most authentic reggae album to date.
To order your copy of "Ghetto Redemption" and receive your FREE Mega Mix CD, visit our store at www.jahpickney.com. Be sure to type "FREE Mega Mix CD" in the Comments/Special Instructions box of the order form. This offer is only valid for a limited time on purchases of the new "Ghetto Redemption" CD from the web store at www.jahpickney.com starting July 26, 2005.
Jah Pickney merchandise can be purchased on his web store by using a
convenient PayPal account, by VISA or Mastercard on the secure PayPal
site, or by sending a cheque or money order to Jah Yout Productions.
See the web store for details.
**GHETTO REDEMPTION**
*Ghetto Redemption hits the streets July 26, 2005*
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Following his popular sophomore release From the Heart, Jah Pickney returns with this highly anticipated third album entitled Ghetto Redemption. 15 tracks of hard-hitting dancehall reggae music, with elements of roots, lover's rock, dub, hip-hop and soca. On Ghetto Redemption Jah Pickney visits these styles with even more authenticity than ever before. The dancehall is rougher, the roots is more rootsy, and the entire project gives off more of a raw street vibe, making this album Jah Pickney's truest venture in reggae music. The emphasis learns towards dancehall staying true to Jah Pickney's signature sound, while the roots tracks are further enhanced by guest musician Mark "Jah Servant" Giles playing live guitar and melodica. Also the sweet backing vocals of Marie-Eve Gobeil give a smooth feel to many of the tracks. Similar to Jah Pickney's past releases the album is produced and arranged by the artist himself. All the music is written and performed by Jah Pickney, with the exception of one track in which he collaborated with DJ Frost from Lion of Judah Sounds, riding one of Frost's newest "riddims" (rhythms). Other collaborations which make this album stand out are the combination feature tracks with guest artists Dunamis and Bless (aka Prodigal Son).
Ghetto Redemption is a slamming dancehall reggae project that lyrically is completely inspired by the Word of God. Each song is full of biblical references and messages of faith, hope, love, grace and redemption. Recorded and mixed at Lineage Recording Studios, owned and operated by Tim "Jah Pickney" Linnard and his two brothers Jeremy and Brad, and mastered by music industry legend Nick Blagona, who has worked with artists such as Bob Marely, Desmond Dekker, Peter Tosh, the Police, Tina Turner, Chicago and many others, this production is of the highest quality resulting in an entertaining and life changing effort.
ABOUT THE TITLE
Dancehall reggae music came out of the Jamaican ghetto and is still very popular there today. With this in mind, Jah Pickney has directed his third album to the people within the Jamaican ghetto, focusing on many of the hardships and struggles of poverty and ghetto life. However, the messages within the album are not irrelevant to those living in opposite conditions. Everyone is familiar with hardships and troubles, whatever they may be. The album works from both a literal and a metaphorical viewpoint. The word ghetto can represent whatever slum anyone finds themself in, be it financial trouble, spiritual trouble, struggles with sin, depression, loneliness etc. One person's figurative ghetto may be different than another's, so the word ghetto takes on many meanings with this release. Conversely, the word redmption remains the same for each situation. Redemption means to be set free, emancipated or liberated by payment. Essentially it is freedom from bondage, and in all situations this album points to Jesus Christ for the solution and redemption of whatever "ghetto" it may be that is keeping one in bondage
** JAH PICKNEY RECEIVES ANOTHER AWARD NOMINATION**
Jah Pickney's ragga soca song Trinity Divinity has been nominated in the Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards 2005 for Top Gospel Song Carib/International.
This is Jah Pickney's third nomination in the Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards, and Trinity Divinity's second award nomination - it was nominated in the Marlin Awards last year. "Trinity Divinity" will be featured on Jah Pickney's upcoming NEW ALBUM to be released this year
"I am honoured to be included in the nominations again this year. It is a thrill and blessing to be amongst so many talented gospel Caribbean and reggae artists such as Stitchie, Katalys Crew, Grace Thrillers, Leroy Smith, Annette Linton, Shirly Willis and Audrey Gordon."
The 2005 Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards will celebrate festivities from May 20 - June 5, 2005, with the Gala award ceremony being held on June 4, 2005 in New York, NY.
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