Veteran radio host Rev VB and his renowned Blessing Plan Ministry was like an institution in Jamaica, starting in the ‘80s and continuing into the 2000s. Upon his passing in December last year, many persons testified of the impact of the gospel music pioneer who they either listened to on radio while growing up or heard about.
“The first gospel DJ on radio in Jamaica. You set the pace for religious radio in Jamaica. I always look forward to your show on Sunday mornings as you created a platform for gospel artistes back in the days where they could have their recordings given airplay. Gospel artistes such as the late Otis Wright and Insights Gospel Band came to prominence because of your show,”an Instagram user who goes by the name “Micberd” posted in tribute last year.
Bishop Vivian ‘V.B.’ Burke is being honoured posthumously by the Sterling Gospel Music Awards and, on October 5, his only daughter, Anika Hemmings, will be present at the ceremony to accept the award.
For Hemmings, it will be one of her proudest moments, and she shared that, even if her father were alive, she knows that he would have asked her to collect the Sterling Gospel Award for Excellence on his behalf.
“This moment for my dad is very special to us, knowing that his work is being acknowledged … and it’s not like people just let it pass by. Whatever it was that he did, he was doing it from his heart. He is a person who does not really look for awards. If he were here, he would say, ‘Annie, you go ... you know I am not for this,” Hemmings told The Gleaner.
She was among the invited guests to Thursday’s media launch of the 2024 Sterling Gospel Music Awards at the R Hotel in St Andrew. The event unfolds on October 5 at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church on Slipe Road.
A smiling Hemmings described her father as “a fun-loving person”, and shared exactly why she thought he was so popular.
“He did not have to know you to express warmth … he always greets you with a very warm smile. I think he was popular because of what he brought to the gospel fraternity. He was the pioneer for the hand-clapping, foot-stomping type of music to the gospel fraternity because, back in those days, they had a lot of sanctimonious type of music and I guess people appreciated that change … that vibrancy that he brought to gospel music in Jamaica. Also, he highlighted international artistes, which brought a difference to the atmosphere, bringing more life, more spirituality, more anointing … that type of thing. So I think that’s what made him so unique,” Hemmings said.
In addition to his musical pioneering skills as Rev VB and the Gospel Flames, the other big factor, she explained, was the Blessing Plan Ministry, which was a write-in ministry where people were able to send in their prayer requests from the length and breadth of Jamaica and they were prayed for on radio. The ministry moved with the times and, in the Internet age, an email address was provided, as well as a cell number.
“My father had it from the ‘80s and went as far as 2018/19, thereabout. Before that, he was on radio doing World at 8. And ... another thing ... when we had COVID and everybody was on lockdown, I said ‘Daddy, we should do a daddy-daughter thing’. So we had this programme on Facebook where I would do the gospel music and he would do the preaching. It was excerpts from some of his previous recorded sermons. We went for half an hour and then we extended it to an hour because people really loved what we were doing. We started it in 2020 and, because of ill health, he was on and off and then he left me alone to do it. He said ‘You are the pro … you can do it,” Hemmings recalled
Rev VB passed on December 29, 2023 and his homegoing service was held in February this year. In April of this year, he would have been 80 and Hemmings noted that the family had been planning a big birthday celebration for him.
In addition to Rev VB, the Sterling Gospel Music Awards will be honouring persons who have given more than 20 years of service to the gospel music industry. Perpetual Sounds of Praise, Birthright, Portmore Vision Gospel Choir, Sounds of Praise and Katalys Crew are among the groups who will be honoured; individual honourees are Junior Tucker, Chevelle Franklyn and Goddy Goddy. They will all receive the KFC Big Deal Award for excellence, in recognition for their outstanding contributions to gospel music.
The Sterling Gospel Music Awards, now in its eighth year, will recognise excellence in more than 18 categories. It was founded by radio broadcaster, television presenter and social media personality Basillia Barnaby-Cuff.
“With Sterling 8, we unveil an enhanced awards experience, enriched by new elements, a new venue and innovative themes, as we build an enduring legacy,” Barnaby-Cuff stated.