Freddie McGregor warms hearts at New Year’s Eve party
Afew hours after millions of New Yorkers watched the ball drop in Times Square, Manhattan, on what was the second-coldest New Year’s Eve celebration on record in 100 years, veteran reggae crooner Freddie McGregor brought fireworks and a burst of Jamaican sunshine at the New Year’s Eve Black and White Ball held at the Resort World Casino New York City.
“Happy New Year!” McGregor said as he greeted the excited crowd.
From his opening salvo, See It In You, the ‘captain’ found his groove, connecting with fans who sang and danced to hits Let Them Try, Push Come To Shove, Keys To The City, Prophesy, Big Ship and his 1987 cover Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely, that found favour with the single women in the house.
He encored with an a cappella version of his R & B ballad So I Will Wait For You, that tugged at heartstrings.
At the end of his set, event host DJ Roy thanked McGregor for his support and presented him with a custom-made Road International winter jacket, engraved with the words ‘CAPTAIN Freddie McGregor, WE RUN ROAD’.
“Now you will never be cold again” DJ Roy assured McGregor.
Florida-based reggae crooner Hopeton Lindo, who preformed earlier, delivered the first spark of the night with Lonely Nights, while Ian Sweetness, whose velvety baritone voice invites comparison to the late Frankie Paul, had to ‘pull up’ his reggae version of Little Green Apples three times.
The annual event, which was held at the posh Resort World Casino for the very first time, attracted a full house of friends, well-wishers, music lovers and the ‘who is who’ in the Jamaican diaspora.
McGregor’s next big performance will be at the annual Rebel Salute 25th anniversary celebration next weekend in St Ann.