Singer Zac Henry in performance during Tribute to Stanley Beckford at Ranny Williams Centre on January 28. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

To slow, church-style music from the Gumption Band, The Vibesmaster Jerry D became the collection organsiser at Sunday night's benefit for singer Stanley Beckford, who has throat cancer.

A box for donations towards his medical care, which had been near the entrance to the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St. Andrew, was moved onto the stage at the start of the second segment of the concert.

And after Dance Theatre Xpressions had done a lecture in dance on the development of Jamaican music, Jerry D went into collection mode.

"Give and give some more. Halleluiajah!" he said, after putting his donation into the padlocked wooden box.

With Gumption providing an uptempo beat, Jerry D started a chant of "come on up, come on up, come on up for Stanley Beckford", dancing to the beat.

A cameraman on stage did not escape the collection call as, dancing and singing, Jerry D searched his pockets, the audience laughing as Jerry D came up empty-handed and sang "No collection no di deh".

A muckle of chuckles

"No matter what you have, de Bible sey every mickle ...," Jerry D said and there was a muckle of chuckles. "No jus de money, de blessin!" Jerry D said, continuing to chant "put it een" as people came up from the audience to drop money in the box. "You no touch it. Yu waan open it. Yu slacker you," Jerry D said to one man.

An especially attractive young woman put in her contribution and Jerry D said "Halleuiajah. Let me touch you", to laughter from the audience.

"Stanley Beckford is one of the persons who has blessed us over the years. I am so happy to be a part of this effort," Jerry D said. And he put the humour in the context of the cause, saying "Stanley was a man who give us joke all the while, whether him a perform a France or Spanish Town".

Earlier, at the end of his performance, Leroy Sibbles had said, "This is a special case. The man is seriously ill. We are not here rejoicing. We are here to put a ting together. While we are here for a good time, it is for a special reason. I personally waan go inna me pocket an put $5,000 in the box for the man". The money was later presented on stage and duly deposited.

The audience was also given another option to make a contribution, via cellular phone. A call to 444-4226 put $20 in the fund and those wishing to contribute $65 were required to dial 444-4260. And for those who wish to make a donation via the bank, Bank of Nova Scotia account 8021-87 is there for the Stanley Beckford cause.

- M.C.