scene this year and this week he promised it will be a year to remember.

The Trinidad-born music connoisseur has a list of top-chart stars lined up to perform in Bermuda over the next ten months.

Leading the list is Jamaican dancehall king Shabba Ranks who will give a one-night show next month at the National Stadium.

Shabba, who is considered the biggest Jamaican star to hit the music scene since the death of the legendary Bob Marley in 1981, was expected to attract more than 3,000 fans to the concert on March 26.

And Mr. Aming said since the announcement was mentioned in yesterday's The Royal Gazette , his phone had been ringing off the hook with some people requesting up to 40 tickets.

But Mr. Aming said he was well prepared for a huge turnout.

He has secured a circus-type, two-storey tent designed for concerts.

While the tent alone can comfortably accommodate 3,000, Mr. Aming noted that with good weather the stadium could hold thousands more.

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 9 p.m. with local opening acts, are $45 and will go on sale on Tuesday at Sound Stage and Clay House Inn.

Also coming to Bermuda is a man who is no stranger to the Island -- Maxi Priest.

Maxi, who is on tour in the US, will give one show at the National Stadium on May 15.

Later that month, Mr. Aming promises to give the Island a soca festival featuring local bands and others from Trinidad, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica, and St. Kitts.

He said this will be similar to Trinidad's Carifesta (Caribbean Festival of Stars) which attracts thousands.

Another event expected to draw crowds will be US top performer and singer Patti LaBelle who was tentatively scheduled to a one-night show in Bermuda on June 15. Tickets for that concert, which was lined up for the stadium, will be $50.

On July 3, Mr. Aming will hold his annual Reggae Festival, featuring international groups such as Burning Spear and Toots and the Maytals.

This will be followed by part two of a tribute to Bob Marley on August 21.

Jazz star Winton Marsalis and his band will give a show at Clay House Inn on September 12. This will also commemorate the club's 25th anniversary.

SHABBA RANKS -- Dancehall king.