Beloved reggae singer Freddie McGregor is excited to be on the line-up for this year’s Reggae Sumfest and is preparing himself mentally and physically for his upcoming performance at the music festival on July 22.
The Big Ship Captain, who suffered a stroke while in Florida last November, and has been recovering there, will be performing with his children Stephen, Chino and Yashemabeth and the Code Red Band.
“I have been rehearsing for weeks for Sumfest. The mental preparation is going great and so too is the physical. My doctors are pleased with my progress so far and I am taking my medication,” an upbeat sounding McGregor said. Going into details, he shared that he has occupational therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays and physicals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The ‘I’m A Winner’ singer said that when he signed the Reggae Sumfest contract nearly eight months ago, he was hopeful that he would be where he wanted to be health-wise by July, and currently, he is almost at that place.
“I have not been to Jamaica since September last year and I haven’t performed at Reggae Sumfest in a long time. All of us can’t wait. Stephen and Chino and of course Shema [Yashemabeth] … we can’t leave out Shema. She goes everywhere with us. Shema is in charge of backing vocals. We will be singing the songs that people love and it will be a great homecoming. God is good, He has preserved me. I am thankful that He has spared my life,” McGregor said, as he thanked his children, his family, friends and fans for their love, support, and their prayers.
“It’s at times like these that you realise just how important family and friends are. I remember opening my eyes in the hospital and seeing all my children and some of my grandchildren. [Culture and Entertainment] Minister [Olivia] Grange came to visit me on her way from Mexico. Dean Fraser, Tarrus [Riley], Copeland Forbes, so many people. It felt good,” the veteran singer said.
His last public appearance was via a video shared last Christmas, of him sitting in a wheelchair performing songs such as I See it in You backed by a band and back-up singers.
The reggae festival, however, will not be McGregor’s first performance since the stroke. Prior to coming home for the event, the Big Ship artiste will be off to Japan to represent reggae on Mighty Crown’s Far East cruise. “I am looking forward to that, too. When the cruise ends, the Big Ship will sail straight into Montego Bay and dock up and deal with it,” he promised.
McGregor is also looking forward to the release of his new album, ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’, on his birthday next Tuesday.
