Reggae singer to croon to the crowds

GREENFIELD, MA- Freddie McGregor is an internationally-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated reggae singer and songwriter who has been a pioneer in reggae music since the 1970s.
Whether a romantic crooner or an emissary of strong cultural messaging, his undeniable vocal ability boasts hits like his signature “Big Ship,” “Push Come to Shove,” “I Was Born A Winner,” “Guantanamera,” “Lock Dem’ Down,” and “Bangarang” – the last two being chart-topping hits from the album “Comin’ in Tough.” With his profound natural talent and notable influence by legends Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Alton Ellis, and many others, McGregor has finessed his craft to become one of reggae’s greatest singers.
He was born in Clarendon, Jamaica, on June 27, 1956 and at 7 started singing backup for a local ska harmony duo called the Clarendonians. Throughout the 1970s, he sang lead for groups like Generation Gap and Soul Syndicate, and also recorded off and on as a solo act. He converted to Rastafarianism in 1975 and started working with Earl “Chinna” Smith, recording several classic songs reflective of the social and political upheavals in Jamaica at the time. In 1981, McGregor scored a huge hit single with “Big Ship,” which catapulted him to the front rank of reggae stars in the immediate post-Marley era, along with Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs. To date, he has released 36 studio albums.
Rhythm Incorporated  with roots in reggae, funk and hip-hop, is a six-piece band from Northampton that uses different rhythms and styles from all walks of life. Simon White leads the group on with his soft and sultry vocals and guitar, along with vocalist Giles Stebbins, drummer Jamemurrell Stanley, Brian Dimartino on lead guitar, Jason Metcalf on keyboard, and Andrew Atkin on bass. Their latest EP, “Beautiful Day,” was mastered by Northfire Recording Studio in Amherst.
The performance will be held on Friday, May 31. Hawks & Reed, at 289 Main Street. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of show. Call (413) 774-0150 for more information.

The Deerfield Valley News

797 VT Route 100 North
Wilmington, VT 05363

Phone: 802-464-3388
Fax: 802-464-7255

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