REGGAE ICON, FREDDIE MCGREGOR, MAKES WAVES WITH COMIN’ IN TOUGH FEATURING CHART TOPPING HITS, LOCK DEM’ DOWN AND BANGARANG – July 12

On July 12, 2005, internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated, singer, songwriter and producer, Freddie McGregor, will release his latest album, Comin’ in Tough, featuring the #1 singles Lock Dem’ Down and Bangarang.  Catch his NYC appearances on May 31 - Caribbean Fair & DoItCaribbean Wedding (South Street Seaport, Manhattan) and June 2- Jamaica Night at the Apollo – all part of Caribbean Tourism Week In New York -  www.caribbeanweekny.com.

Equally at home in lovers rock or roots & culture, this unstoppable wonder has produced many hits like Push Come to Shove, Africa Here I Come, Just Don't Want to Be Lonely, I Was Born A Winner, Guantanamera and his signature Big Ship, to name a few.  Boasting a stellar career that spans over 40 years, Freddie began developing his craft in the mid-sixties.  Though his versatility allowed for all types of music he always kept a preference for lyrics of social consciousness and uplifment.  In 1989, Freddie launched his own record label, Big Ship, featuring Jamaica Classics Volume One as the first major release.  Part of this compilation included popular tunes like Little Roy's Prophecy and Derrick Harriot's The Loser.  To date, Big Ship has produced several reggae artists including General Degree, Cutty Ranks, Mikey Spice, Benjy Myaz and Freddie’s daughter Yeshemabeth and his album entitled Anything For You featuring the songs Uncle Sam, I See It In You and Anything for You, was nominated for a Grammy.  Recently Freddie produced the historic Super Stars Extravaganza DVD, highlighting rare concert footage from the 1989 Denbigh Show Ground (May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica).  The DVD features live performances by the great Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Cocoa Tea, Barrington Levy, Frankie Paul, Carlene Davis and the legendary Tamlins.

Over the years, Freddie has consistently “given back” to the community in many ways.  Currently, he produces his own concert entitled RockSteady Meets Reggae, which promotes unity within the reggae fraternity and he is slated to perform on June 4, 2005 at Cinema 2 in New Kingston at the popular Kings of Kings - Unite the People concert, featuring a host of artists like Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Richie Stephens, Cocoa Tea, Anthony B, Judy Mowatt, Norris Man, Admiral Tibet, Louie Culture and more (proceeds will benefit Kingston’s Victoria Jubilee Hospital and Haile Selassie High School).  He also donates to charities throughout the world and manages his own US and England based children's organizations; Big Ship Foundation Inc. and the Freddie McGregor Children’s Fund, both of which provides services and funding to renovate schools.  Recently, Jamaican artist Paul Napier honored Freddie with a life-like sculpture in commemoration of his music and contributions to Jamaica (proceeds will benefit various community/charitable organizations in Jamaica). 

Freddie McGregor continues to please reggae fans and music lovers throughout the world headlining international concerts and venues including Poland's Blue Note, Japan's Jumping Splash, Reggae Sunsplash (Clapham Common), the Cartegena Festival (Colombia), Midem (France), the Jamaican Expo (performing for Nelson Mandela and Prince Charles), the London Hammersmith Apollo - performing with John Holt and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Annual Caribbean Tourism Week (NYC) and many others.  On August 8, 2003, Jamaica's Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, honored Freddie with the prestigious Jamaican Order of Distinction in recognition of his contribution to Jamaica’s music and culture.  In addition, his popular tune, Lovers Rock, was featured in the critically acclaimed HBO exclusive Disappearing Acts and The world famous Apollo Theater saluted Freddie with the honor of being an Apollo Living Legend.  As a result, Freddie was invited to perform at the Apollo Theater for Jamaica's Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson and other dignitaries on June 2, 2005 for the prestigious Jamaica Night at the Apollo in celebration of 50 years of leadership in Caribbean Hospitality and Tourism.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FREDDIE MCGREGOR’S – COMIN’ IN TOUGH

Release date: July 12, 2005

BIG SHIP MUSIC INC.

Phone (310) 704-7522   www.freddiemcgregor.com