By RHONDOR DOWLAT Monday, July 23 2007

SEVERAL local Gospel artistes, including the current Caribbean Gospel Awards New Female Artiste of the Year and Sugar and Energy Soca-Chutney Monarch (secondary schools), Winsie-Ann Cuffie, are all expected to arrive in stretch limousines and walk the red carpet on July 29 for the big night at the Queen’s Park Savannah, with five-time Grammy Award winner, Yolanda Adams.

The “black-tie” affair, including a VIP section, is a first for local gospel events.

Promoters Konsepts International is expecting the largest turnout ever for the concert and advised spectators and supporters to expect “mind-blowing” things at the concert.

The well-promoted event, “The Awakening”, will kick off at 5 pm.

Yolanda Adams, born August 27, 1961, in Houston, Texas, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer. She is one of the most popular Gospel music artistes of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is among the artistes who have achieved the greatest critical and commercial success by blending Rhythm and Blues styles with gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially sparked criticism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues.

Additionally, concert-goers can expect the highly energetic, dramatic and talented performance of 15-year-old Winsie-Ann Cuffie of Mc Bean Village, Couva. Winsie, as she is fondly called, is the third daughter of Pentecostal Pastor Dr Winston Cuffie of Miracle Ministries, Chase Village, Chaguanas.

According to a concert official, Winsie-Ann cancelled a couple of foreign engagements to join the cast of local artistes, some of which include Sean Daniel and Ja Dee, at the Yolanda Adams event. “We the producers highly respect Winsie-Ann as a performer, and we are delighted that she can be part of the July 29 cast. This event will definitely contain various ‘elite’ features that will be new to gospel concerts in TT,” the concert official said.

At 15, Winsie-Ann is no stranger to the world stage. She represented TT last August at the Worldstars Championships in Hollywood, California. Her experience in Hollywood “opened a door” which led her to the prestigious Sony Studios in New York, where she recorded her CD We Salute You Jesus, which she launched in grand style in Canada late last year.

In January, Winsie-Ann “opened” for two internationally renowned gospel artistes — Terry Mac Almon and Junior Tucker — in two massive concerts. Next month, she will be in the US and Canada sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in gospel music.

Winsie-Ann has been busy for the past few years performing throughout the Caribbean and in numerous local events as well.

Her daily music and motivation feature, “Winning With Winsie-Ann,” on Radio Isaac 98.1fm, is also quite popular.

Last Christmas, the Miracle Ministries High School student joined voices with her elder sister Sherrose to release the CD You Deserve a Merry Christmas which was an instant hit, particularly with the churches.