Representing the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Fothergill gave early indication that he will be a major factor among collegiate athletes in the upcoming season in the 400 metres when he recorded an impressive win in the men’s 500 metres.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games representative who clocked 1:01.74 went out very fast and kept his form well to hold off 2009 NCAA Outdoor 400 metres hurdles finalist, Joe Green, of the United States, who finished strongly in second place in 1:01.81.

Steele who has represented the country at both the junior and senior levels and who was a member of the men’s 4×400 metres relay team at the last World Indoor Championships made a strong claim to represent the country in the upcoming championships in March as he won the 400 metres easily in 47.06 seconds.

Claudia Calder, formerly of the Convent of Mercy (Alpha Academy) and who is a sophomore at Hampton University in Virginia, started her high jump indoor campaign on a winning note by clearing the bar at 1.70 metres.

Upstate Reggae on the River Inc whose mission is to raise awareness about environmental concerns, preserving our rich cultural heritage and sustainability. In 2007, UROTR was founded by Lauren Drummond and Michelle Cowans whose plans are to use these events as a platform to educate and give back to the deserving communities.

“My prayers go out to all the victims of Haiti. It is time for the community to come together regardless of your race, we are all one,” says co-founder, Cowans. “Let us put away our differences and assist during these difficult times,” echoing Drummond.
Organizers are working feverishly in reaching out to the community for their support. So, get your tickets now! Early bird tickets are $20.00 available on our website, www.hudsonvalleyreggaefest.com. Also, for every tickets purchase, $5.00 will be donated to Yele Haiti’s Relief Fund.

Sponsors, vendors and volunteers, please contact 800-557-4185, ext. 4 or 8.

“The next trophy I would love to be holding like this is an Oscar Award” he proclaimed, triumphantly hoisting the trophy in the air. 

Monday’s glittering black-tie induction ceremony marked the 25th renewal of this now entrenched American music industry tradition and Jimmy Cliff becomes only the second Jamaican performer and the third Jamaican to hold this enviable distinction. Bob Marley was also previously inducted, and so too was music mogul Chris Blackwell, the latter in a non-performer category.

All three Jamaicans join a list of the most awe-inspiring musicians of the twentieth century. Other distinguished inductees from previous years include Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Bee Gees, Ray Charles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Prince.

It has been a long road for the actor, musician, singer, songwriter, music producer and businessman Jimmy Cliff, christened James Chambers at birth by his parents in the district of Somerton, St James, Jamaica. He has appeared in three successful movies including the 1986 comedy Club Paradise, co-starring Robin Williams and Peter O’Toole.

Four years later he snagged a role in “Marked for Death” but he had his career defining role as reggae singer, Ivan Martin in the cult classic ‘Harder They Come.’ Cliff is currently thumbing through at least four movie scripts, including the final draft of a screenplay tentatively titled “Wappy King” – the story of a legendary character from Jamaica who has a fearless spirit.

Cliff will not only assume a starring role in the flick but will write much of the music for the sound track. If all goes well, shooting could begin early next year in Jamaica.

Could this prove to be the big role that lands him an Oscar nomination and the pride and joy of Tinsletown? Some would say you have to dream the impossible dream before it can be realized. Jimmy Cliff is arguably the most celebrated reggae act on the international stage, playing to stadiums and arenas in Africa, Brazil and parts of Europe.

He has an equally impressive following in the USA where he is best known for songs like “Sitting in Limbo”, “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, Wild World, I Can See Clearly Now and “Many Rivers to Cross,” all from the soundtrack to The Harder They Come. Regarded as reggae’s first international star and the genre’s greatest living legend, Cliff is hoping to connect with a new generation of fans with the release of his new album titled ‘Existence’ which boasts 15 exciting songs, 13 of which are brand new compositions.

“The new album is about our life on planet earth. It touches all aspects of our existence, from global warming to starvation, economics, politics, the spiritual and beyond. It deals with love… unconditional love and relationships on a one on one basis. In the spiritual realm we have different points of view” he confessed. Speaking confidently and passionately about the disc he said, “I just love this album. It is like a new baby. Now I have to nurture it into adulthood.”

Among the tracks that will be included on the disc are Blessed Love; Rebel, Rebel, Rebel; Everybody Loves a Winner; You’re a Blessing in Disguise and I Got to Move On. His last studio album was released four and a half years ago. To support the disc, he will embark on a US tour this summer.

When asked which artiste, if any, he would love to collaborate with, he paused to gather his thoughts before affirming that he would love to work with Queen Ifrica. On the international side he identified Jay Z and Nas as worthy collaborators. 

As part of the Diaspora outreach, Cliff did an interview on Irie Jam Radio with hosts DJ Roy and Dubb Master Chis, then on Thursday evening IMAGES LLC orchestrated a media reception that provided a platform for the reggae legend to speak directly with members of the Caribbean press.

“Jimmy Cliff has been huge in Europe, Africa and Brazil for decades, but it is refreshing to see him being embraced by the American Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He’s never fully got the respect he deserves here in the US, and one hopes this endorsement will continue to shatter cultural borders on the American music landscape” Dave Rodney from IMAGES LLC said.

“After a marathon 2 ½ hour interview on Irie Jam radio, the phone lines went ballistic with the endorsement and love from many adoring fans from the community who have not heard from Jimmy in many years. We celebrate his induction and stand proud of his legacy” Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Radio said.

Clarke noted that he has had the pleasure of listening to most of the tracks on the disc and he feels it is a strong contender for a future Grammy nomination.

Cliff’s crowning moment in New York on Monday was just a small step along the way on his life’s journey. To get this far, he has crossed many rivers and is now ready to take on new challenges.

“I feel now I am on the road, getting set to start act two of my career. The induction was the final act of phase one. Now that I am starting the next phase of my career, I am more focused and ready for battle” he said.

Cliff’s induction is impressive considering the number of million-selling chart toppers who are nowhere to be seen in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The long list includes Hall & Oates, Spinners, Barry White, Stylistics, Electric Light Orchestra, KISS, Chic and Pointer Sisters.  

“I accepted this award on behalf of the people of Jamaica, Africa, the Caribbean and South America” Cliff proudly declared.

He delivered arguably the best performance of the night, serving up almost twenty minutes of the tastiest hybrid of Reggae, spiced with a pinch of Rock & Roll. It didn’t matter if one fully understood his Jamaican accent, Cliff held everyone in a musical trance with “You Can Get It If You Really Want” “Many Rivers To Cross” and his international soundtrack hit “The Harder They Come.” Many in the crowd danced as his music proved infectious to those present.

His mesmerizing performance earned a deserving standing ovation from music legends Bruce Springstein, Phil Collins, Abba, the Bee Gees and Maroon 5 who were all in attendance. Cliff said fellow Rock & Roll inductee Phil Collins personally congratulated him on his stellar performance. A small contingent from Jamaica including entertainment executive Chris Samuda, who flew in from Kingston also cheered, while Cliff’s assistant Ray Watkins flashed a smile as the historic performance came to and end. 

Rodney claims that he has been having serious health consequences as a result of the implantation. He is offering a reward of $100 million to anyone who can assist in finding a civil rights attorney who is willing to defend him.

Rodney alleges that the Pittsburgh Feds have broken federal laws, and now the Southern Court District of New York and the Federal Government are trying to coverup the crime until the statute of limitation runs out.

In addition, the New York FBI and the people in Washington are paying everyone who calls his cell phone millions of dollars to cover-up this case.

“The media, too, is being paid millions of dollars not to release his story to the public,” he adds. Rodney is appealing to the
public for help and claims to be in “dire need of medical attention.”

Street Hype was unable to contact the FBI, however, one of the newspaper legal advisors has dismissed Rodney’s claims
as non-sensical and without merit.