If one ever thought that the lovers of gospel music couldn't have fun, that theory was certainly turned into fallacy by the thousands who attended "the Biggest Contemporary Gospel Show of the Year" last Saturday at the National Park.

The show which featured three of the most popular names in Contemporary Gospel Music: Papa San, Prodigal Son and Chevelle Franklyn - certainly lived up to all its promotional hype and excitement. Not only was it the biggest gospel show of the year, it was also perhaps the biggest one ever held in Guyana.

When the Scene arrived a few minutes after the scheduled 6 pm start, the show had already begun. The local gospel artists did themselves proud and Guyana proud as they set the tone for an evening of high class entertainment.

Among the local artistes who performed were Ossie Thomas, Amanda Peters, gospel chutney star Anil Azeez, Miriam Corlette-Williams, Sean Sobers, Treneicia Esseboom (who continues to impress with her strong voice), overseas-based Guyanese Juanita Cameron and the a cappella group the Messengers

Artistes such as, Solid Youth, Edward Neblett, and his band Second Coming, the Linden based band Divinity, the Glorifiers Dance troupe, as well as Kester D - who was supported by the Fire House and Second Coming bands - were among the crowd favourites as they delivered high-energy performances.

The performances by the local artistes was followed by the Swansea sponsored "Step Pon Di Enemy Dance Competition" where children ten years and under were invited on stage to vie for cash prizes. The top five finishers were rewarded with cash prizes, with the top place finisher receiving $15,000.

A few minutes after 9 pm, the first of the Jamaican trio, Prodigal Son appeared on stage. He immediately got the crowd going by belting out some of his popular songs such as, "Who's that Guy?" Real Life, "I Wish" and "Don't cry for me" among others. As part of his performance, he taught some innovative dance moves and this was well received by the crowd. He also shared about some of his experiences as someone who grew up in the ghetto.

Prodigal Son was followed on stage by Chevelle Franklyn who led the crowd in quiet worship songs, as she prayed for the students of Annandale Secondary who were last week hospitalised with mysterious illnesses. She then sang some of her hits including "King Jesus" (her remix of" Dancehall Queen"), "Magnify His Name", and "Radio is Playing".

Franklyn, who experienced some difficulty with her sound tracks which kept skipping, saluted the Guyanese crowd, saying that their participation in spite of the malfunctioning of the music was a true reflection that the people had come to meet with God and not with her. When the Scene visited backstage after the show, Franklyn was still glowing over the quality of the audience.

At about 11:10 pm Papa San dressed in a black shirt, black jeans along with a black cap, came on stage. He told the crowd that he "came to give the devil belly ache and black eye" and delivered several scintillating performances that sent the already hyped audience into a further frenzy. Among the hits delivered were "Hail him up", "Step Pon Di Enemy", Pop Style", "God" and I" and "Amour"

Throughout, his time on stage, the former dancehall artist, kept telling the audience of God's goodness towards him recounting that once when someone attempted to kill him the gun wouldn't fire. Before he concluded his performance at around 12:25 am he invited those in the audience who were not Christians to make the decision to convert to Christianity. He then led such persons in a prayer.

If there were any negatives about the show, it would have to be the absence of bins on the tarmac for patrons to dispose of their garbage. Another concern to some were the high prices charged for beverages at the DDL sponsored bar, a 20 oz plastic bottle drink was priced at $200 and the bottle of water $180.

In spite of this, the concert will have to go down as one of the best gospel concerts ever held locally. alastair23@yahoo.com