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Reggae star ready for Veterans in Action gig

Dream come true: reggae dancehall singer Tony Curtis, who has had a string of hit tracks and six studio albums, says he never thought he would be in the music industry this long (Photograph supplied)

Nearly three decades after his career began, reggae dancehall singer Tony Curtis is holding his own and showing no signs of letting up.

“To be truthful, not in a million years did I dream of this,” said the 44-year-old, who has six studio albums and a string of hit songs under his belt.

“I never thought I would be in music this long.

“It has been an amazing journey, taking me all over the world to my adoring fans who really appreciate my renditions. Music is my life and I have more hit singles to come.”

The Jamaican singer is one of the main performers at tomorrow night’s Veterans in Action show at the BAA gymnasium.

“The Bermuda people really know reggae and dancehall,” said Curtis, who has performed here before.

“Because of this, I can’t wait until the performance. I look forward to the energy that Bermudians bring to an event. They make noise like none other.

“I will bring my all for the Bermuda public. They are in for a treat. I promise a spirited performance. I enjoy veteran events like this because the mature crowd isn’t coming to look for trouble. They are out to appreciate the music and have a true evening of entertainment.”

Curtis’s career began in the 1980s. It took off after he won a talent contest with his friend in Ocho Rios. “I went to visit a female friend and just happened to see that there was a contest,” he said. “Jigsy King said, ‘Let’s enter’. We did. We won and both our careers took off from there.”

The artist has been influenced by the likes of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Sanchez, Marvin Gay and Sam Cooke.

He recorded his first song in 1993 and his big break in the dancehall and reggae music industry came in 2002 with the release of his self-produced track, ‘High Grade’. The song became a hit and appeared on his album ‘Stronger’, which was released that same year.

As well as being a solo artist, Curtis is a member of reggae quartet LUST with Lukie-D, Thriller-U and Singing Melody.

• Tickets to the show are $40 in advance from People’s Pharmacy, Fish & Tings, Belvin’s Variety in Pembroke and Devonshire, Hunt’s Liquor, Somer’s Supermart and from www.bdatix.bm. Tickets can also be bought at the door. Gates open at 8pm