"This is going to be nice. It is a nice line-up and a nice package and should be a really fun concert."

That was how Reggae artist Freddie McGregor was looking ahead to his Bermuda concert, part of the Culture Shock and Big Ship event which takes place on Saturday.

Although he has not returned to the Island for several years, he said: "Bermuda is happening, man! I wish I could come that way more often.

Mr. McGregor spoke to The Royal Gazette from his home in Jamaica before his band headed to Africa for concerts in Gambia and Sierra Leone.

His musical influences come from a mixture of American and Jamaican artists.

"On the American side it is Stevie Wonder and the Stylistics ... all those popular groups from the Motown movement," he said.

"On the local side there is Dennis Brown and Ken Booth and others.

"In Motown and in Philadelphia they were turning out some of the greatest black music in the world and we were fortunate to be born in that time to share in that glory."

After so many years in the music industry, he said: "Sometimes it amazes me that we are still doing this and turning out number one albums.

"But this is my work and this is what I am here to do."

Talking about the transformation of Reggae music from 'strictly roots' to 'rude boy', he said: "It has changed dramatically.

"The current genre has taken it much too far. Even though we are exposed to a lot of cable TV, that doesn't mean that we have to follow suit.

"We should maintain our principles and we have to remember that we are not just representing ourselves and our friends, but to a nation and a generation of people.

"We should be careful that we inspire people in a very positive way because of selfishness and hype. If you become wealthy and famous by what you do and you are a person with no morals, people won't look at you as a big man.

"So having all this glamour around you, well, we still are waiting for you to grow up. They should not see themselves as bigger than life. It is a hype and it is not real."

Mr. McGregor is the founder of the Big Ship Recording Studio in Jamaica.

Mr. McGregor will release another album next month.

"My new CD is due to be released on July 12 and it is called 'Comin' in Tough'," he said, "It has been produced by Jamaica's premier producer, Bobby Digital. He has produced a number of albums along with my young sons, Stephen and Daniel McGregor.

"It is my best album to date in terms of the songs we chose and the combination of myself with Nathony B, Morgan Heritage and Marcia Griffiths."

He said the album continues with his vision of using his talent to promote a positive message.

"It is a mixture of everything because I am talking to people and to the leaders."

Despite his success, Mr. McGregor comes across as a humble man. "I guess that is something that comes with the way you are brought up.

"I believe that having respect for each other will make a really great and happy world."

Besides his music, Mr. McGregor loves fishing and sports.

"Every chance I get I go fishing. I am missing it right now, because I haven't had a chance to go for a while," he said.

"I also love soccer and horse racing. It takes away the tension. Sometimes life becomes so tense and getting prepared to perform becomes an intense moment. An artist who says he feels no tension before a concert is pretty much lying."

The father of eight and grandfather of two said his other passion is farming.

"I go out every morning. It gives me a wonderful feeling and gives me a good head start."