They are touted as the Caribbean's biggest gospel band and tomorrow night they'll perform on Belize's biggest stage, the City Center. The 11 member Grace Thrillers Gospel Collective arrived in Belize today for the St. Luke's Methodist Church's Easter Music Fest tomorrow night. 7NEWS greeted the band members when they arrived from Miami.
Keith Swift Reporting,
They aren't your usual pop-stars but this afternoon 9 members of the Grace Thrillers Gospel Band from Jamaica arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport to a VIP welcome with mayor Zenaida Moya herself. At the front was the band's creator and leader for the past 35 years Nnoel Willis.
Noel Lewis, Grace Thrillers Band Leader
"This good to be here man, very good. We look forward to staying here and we enjoy it so far."
And while Willis might lead the show, the real stars are the members of the group. There are ten of them and most are young and talented like 22-year-old Alrick O'Connor and 23-year-old Mary Lewis.
Mary Lewis, Grace Thriller
"We sing, we mix gospel with different styles of music like reggae,
calypso, a little traditional, basically that's it."
Keith Swift,
So you take gospel and make it fun?
Mary Lewis,
"Yeah, fun."
Keith Swift,
So why did you choose to sing gospel?
Mary Lewis,
"Why gospel? Why gospel Alrick?
Alrick O'Connor, Grace Thriller
"For me the reason for gospel...let's just say God is a perfect God and I feel at the time that I got saved he did it for a very perfect reason. To be truthful to you, the blessing that he has given me in my life, I just have to give myself..."
Mary Lewis,
"...to worship song. It's a life changing experience, come and meet God."
Keith Swift,
Will it be as much fun as we had at the Beenie Man concert?
Mary Lewis,
"There is no comparison to the joy that you have in God. There is a seasonal fun in the world but when it comes to the joy, we have fun in music but there's a deep joy that goes with it. Its not just fun."
The Heavenlies Gospel Band will open the show.
