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Origin

Barbados Gospelfest

Barbados Gospelfest was established in 1993 by what was then known as the Barbados Tourist Board. The festival was the brainchild of the then Minister of Tourism Wes Hall, now Rev. Sir Wes Hall, and the first event was a joint production between the Barbados Tourist Board and Mr. Alvin Jones of the USA. The parties brought Dr. Bobby Jones of Bobby Jones Gospel on board and this arrangement gave the festival and Barbados exposure to the international Gospel community through its airing on Dr. Jones’ television programme on Black Entertainment Television (BET).

From its inception top international Gospel artistes participated in the festival. These included, Dorothy Norwood, James Moore, Ben Tankard, Douglas Miller, and then emerging artistes Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin.

In 1995 the responsibility for the production of the festival was passed on to the Gospelfest Organising Committee made up of persons from the local Christian community who had been involved in the planning for the first two years. The committee was chaired by Barbadian event manager, Adrian R. Agard. In 2003 Gospelfest (Barbados) Inc. was incorporated to carry on the management of the festival.

While maintaining the mandate of attracting visitors to the island, consistent efforts were made to ground Barbados Gospelfest as a Barbadian/Caribbean festival with an international appeal, incorporating and reflecting strong elements of the cultural reality of the Caribbean. This was achieved by ensuring that local and regional artistes participated and shared the stage with the international acts. Opportunities were also provided for the exposure and development of a wider range of artistic expression including dance and drama.

The international nature of the festival has been characterised by the scope of participation with artistes being drawn from Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA, among others.

Leading exponents of Barbadian Gospel music such as Joseph Niles, Sis. Magarita Marshall, Promise, Tony Lowe, The Miracles, and Gratitude have graced the Gospelfest stage and contributed to the success of the festival, while venues such as Farley Hill National Park (first used in 2004), the Jackie Opel Amphitheatre, and Independence Square have added a unquie caché to the festival, branding it as distinctly Barbadian.

Over the years the list of international and regional artistes has been impressive. Leading Gospel artistes such as Donnie McClurkin, Alvin Slaughter, Tramaine Hawkins, Candi Staton, Harrella Goodwin, the late Ras Shorty I of Trinidad & Tobago, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Keith Staten, and Shine the Light have all left their imprint on the festival which has emerged as “The Caribbean’s Premier Christian Music & Arts Festival.”

Mission & Vision

Barbados Gospelfest

The vision of Barbados Gospelfest is to be the premier international Christian music and arts festival promoting the life-changing message of the Gospel through multifaceted avenues of music and artistic expression.

  • Consistently glorify God in every aspect of its management and production
  • Foster the highest level of artistic expression
  • Facilitate life-changing spiritual experiences for its local, regional, and international patrons
  • Provide tangible and intangible value to its associates, partners, and corporate sponsors
  • Purposefully seek to propel our local and regional expressions into the international arena
History

Ministers

1993

Dr. Bobby Jones, Douglas Miller, James Moore and Stephen Whiley (USA), Joseph Niles, Promise, Tony Lowe, Barbados Mass Choir.

1994

Kirk Franklin, Douglas Miller, Dorothy Norwood, Speaker: Rev. Dr. Bernice King, Nicole Ballosing (TT), Harella Goodwin (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands), Yolanda Adams, Ben Tankard (USA), UK Choir, Barbados Mass Choir.

1995

Tramaine Hawkins, Jeff White of New York, (USA) Errol Lewis and Renaissance of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbadian Canadian Sandra Sandiford -Bryan, Denise Ogbede (England), Barbados Mass Choir.

1996

Calvin Bernard Rhone of the USA. Canadian Choir, Barbados Mass Choir

1997

Candi Staton (USA), Rev. Gwendolyn Coates, Change of Jamaica, Barbados Mass Choir.

1998

John Starnes & Alvin Slaughter (USA) and Ras Shorty I and the Love Circle (TT).

1999

Alvin Slaughter (USA), Keith Staten, and Richard Smallwood and Vision of the USA

2000

Noel Richards of the United Kingdom, Shine the Light of St. Croix US Virgin Islands, Claire Jean- Charles of Canada, Carlene Davis of Jamaica and Alvin Slaughter of the US.

2001

Kirk Franklin & 1 NC, Helen Baylor, Trin-I-tee 5:7, National Wesleyan Choir (Washington DC) (USA) Stichie (Jamaica)

2002

Kurt Carr & Kurt Carr Singers, Alvin Slaughter, Donnie McClurkin, and Chevelle Franklyn

2003

Bubby Fann & Unlimited Praise (New Jersey USA) – Peggy Britt (Virginia Beach Virginia USA) – Lisa Kempt (Florida USA) – Bridgett Blucher (New York) Elan Trotman – Saxophonist – Magrita Marshall & The Gospelfest Mass Choir (Barbados)

2004

Israel & New Breed, Deitrick Haddon, Papa San, Sisters of One, Gospelfest Mass Choir, Minister Stephen Hurd, Gospelfest Dancers, Sisters of One, Instruments of Prayze, Promise, Mr. Goddy Goddy, Neil Crichlow

2005

Dr. Helen Baylor (USA) Junior Tucker (Miami) Bridget Blucher (Miami) Marvia Providence (Canada) APC Voices (Canada) CIE (UK) Siani(UK) The Witness (UK) Gospelfest Mass Choir (Barbados) Danah (Barbados)

2006

Stitchie (Jamaica), Don Moen(USA), Papa San(Jamaica), Shekinah Glory Ministry(USA), Canton Jones (US); IDMC (UK);Blessed Voices (UK);Bishop Wayne Malcolm (UK);

Alesia McCrary (USA), Praise Academy of Dance Barbados Cornerstone, KDB, Dwight Crawford, Allison Norville-Forde, Promise, Inspired, Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir,

2007

Martha Munizzi, Canton Jones, Samantha Clarke, Isaac Blackman, Stitchie, Praise Academy of Dance Barbados, Jason Mighty, Alan Charles, Sharon St. Louis, Elan Trotman, Amy Cooley

2008

Israel and New Breed, Jason Mighty, Bridget Blucher, Praise Academy New Era, Shekinah Glory Ministry, Elan Trotman, RodZ, Horace B. Saunders, Akintunde, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers,Lloyd Thomas (Lytie), Ryan Mark & Crissy D, Gozzy, Mr. Militant, Cynthia Musson

2009

Alvin Slaughter, Ian Pitter, Kay Morris, Prodigal Son, Sis. Margrita Marshall, Mel Holder, Roger Samuels, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers, Rod Z, Hoszia Hinds, Mya Daniel, Comedian Stephon, Shepherd

2010

Antonio Allen, Willie Brown & Woody, John Tillery (USA), Praise With Steel (UK) YUNG Saintz and Norwill Simmonds (Canada) Sista Michelle (Jamaica/Miami) Nigela Garraway & Divine Tone & Linda Berthier (St. Lucia), Shine the Light (St. Croix USVI) Joel Daniel and Brotherz of Destiny (Dominica) CYI, Broadway Boys, Burton Sisters and Sons of Zion (Trinidad & Tobago), Kevin Downswell & Papa San (Jamaica), Gospelfest Mass Choir, Kellie Cadogan, Shane Forester and Neil Crichlow (Barbados)

2011

William McDowell (USA) VaShawn Mitchell (USA), Michelle Mckinney Hammond,(USA) Rod Z (USA) , Doreen Vail (USA), Kevin Downswell (Jamaica), A few Good Men (Barbados) Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Trenacia Esseboom (Guyana) Ekklesia (UK), Curtis Jordan (Trinidad & Tobago), Positive (Trinidad & Tobago), John Tillery, (USA) Hoszia Hinds (Barbados), Kings Ministries (UK)

2012

Tye Tribbett (USA), Larnelle Harris (USA), DJ Nicholas (Jamaica), The Grace Thrillers (Jamaica), Eric Darius (USA) Small Fire (USA), Marvia Providence (Canada), Rob Evans “The Donut Man” (USA), Sis. Margrita Marshall (Barbados), Promise (Barbados), A Few Good Men (Barbados), Divine Divine (UK), Shepherdess Connie Brown (USA), Doreen Vail (USA), Soul Winners (Barbados), Issachar ARTS Ministry (Barbados), Liam “Teknique” Rehman (Canada), Greg “Dunamis” Grant (Jamaica)

2013

Nicole C. Mullen (USA), Canton Jones (USA), Mali Music (USA) , Kay Morris (Canada), Atta Boafo (Ghana), John Yarde (Barbados), Junior Tucker (Jamaica), Romaro Greaves (Barbados), Dave Brown (Canada), Bridget Blucher (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) A Few Good Men (Barbados) John Yarde (Barbados) Kay Morris (Canada), Neesha Woodz (Barbados) Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Boma Diri (UK) Chinnitta “Chocolate” Morris (USA)

2014

Hezekiah Walker , Tye Tribbett , Damita Haddon , Rod Z, Curtis Haywood, Danielle Rene (USA) Marvia Providence, Revival Time Men’s Choir (Canada) Sherwin Gardner (Trinidad and Tobago), Shezekiel, Annastasia Baker (UK), Total Praise, Ay’ Di Gospel Unity (Martinique) Called Out (St. Vincent & The Grenadines) Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Nicovia & Larix, John Yarde, Sirrah, MC ‘s – Imran Richards & Mark Harewood, DJ Pedro G (Barbados)

2015

Israel and New Breed, Akintunde, Cornell Germaine, Curtis Haywood (USA), Positive, Sherwin Gardiner (Trinidad and Tobago) Esther Farinde, Ekklisia (UK), Kreyol Gospel Parts (Martinique), Gershwin Lake & Parables (Anguilla), Flow, Called Out, Bridget Blucher (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Promise, Neesha Woodz, Philip St. Hill, MC ‘s – Imran Richards & Mark Harewood, DJ Pedro G (Barbados)

2016

Sinach (Nigeria) Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy , Akintunde, Chinnitta Morris, Workshop – Neicy Tribbett (USA) A’Leithia Sweeting (Bahamas) J Prince, Positive (Trinidad & Tobago) Kim Arthur Theo Bessem, Revival Time Men’s Choir (Canada) Annastasia Baker (UK) Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Neesha Woodz, Sirrah, Gozzy, John Yarde, MC ‘s – Imran Richards & Mark Harewood, DJ Pedro G (Barbados)

2017

Sinach (Nigeria), Pastor Charles Jenkins (USA), Jonathan McReynolds (USA), Small Fire – Comedian (USA), Jaron Nurse (Trinidad & Tobago), Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Neesha Woodz, Pastor John Yarde (Barbados),

2018

Jonathan McReynolds, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Kevin Downswell, Jason Mighty, Marcus D. Wiley (Comedian), Lamont Sanders, Doreen Vail, V3, Mervin Budram aka MD, Pastor John Yarde, Comedian Rod Z, Alida Sharp, Kingdom Arts Music featuring Tao Howard, Excellency, The Barbados Gospelfest Mass Choir, Promise, Chozenn

2019

Alvin Slaughter (USA), Mel Holder (USA), Comedian Rod Z (USA), Promise (Barbados), John Yarde (Barbados), JPrince (Trinidad & Tobago), Blessed Messenger(Trinidad & Tobago), Neesha Woodz (Barbados), Bel Canto Quartet (Barbados), Marc Isaacs (Trinidad & Tobago), Trinity Clarke (Barbados), Allison Norville (Barbados)

2022

Neesha Woodz (Barbados), Sean Daniel (Trinidad & Tobago), Promise (Barbados), Romaro Greaves (Barbados), Mya Daniel (Barbados) Jude Clarke (Barbados), Reuel Lynch (Trinidad & Tobago), Janine White (Barbados),

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