Silvertones Of Barbados
The Silvertones of Barbados (formerly the Nazarene Silvertones of Barbados), is an inter-denominational Christian singing group with members affiliated to the New Testament Church of God, Church of God (Anderson), Church of the Nazarene, Wesleyan Holiness, Baptist, Church of God of Prophecy, Power in the Blood Assembly among others. The group operates under the Silvertones Ministries and is affiliated to the Barbados Youth for Christ. It is also a member of the Gospel Music Association, USA.
Since our inception at the Cave Hill Church of the Nazarene in November 1981, the group has shifted personnel as singers grew up and moved on, but has remained a leading force in a new era of Caribbean gospel, blending sacred message with the infectious rhythms of the region. This has allowed the gospel music industry to be refreshed and energized in a way, that there is now nothing like the warm spirit and rhythms of the Caribbean.
Members are in their late teens, 20s and 30s and have developed and matured both spiritually and musically, that they now represent a new generation of excellent messengers for the modern style of music that is used in a fresh way to bring people of all ages to Christ. The singing is expertly and tightly coordinated, that by the end of sets, there is dancing, clapping, shouting and jumping with joy. As a trend-setter and leader in gospel music in the Caribbean region, the group has been blessing audiences with its powerful, dynamic and spirit-filled singing where ever it ministers. With a house-hold name in Barbados and the Caribbean, the group is so versatile that it performs a wide variety of musical styles including, reggae, soca, calypso, urban, country, traditional, inspirational, praise and worship, traditional, and contemporary .
The group is managed by its founder leader and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Harold Britton. Mrs. Allison Norville-Forde is the musical director. It has a membership of sixteen (16) persons comprising nine females and seven males including a four member accompanying band that plays keyboard, drums, rhythm and bass guitar.
The group has made numerous appearances locally, regionally and internationally at major gospel concerts, church services, conventions, revivals and other special community events. It has also performed to over 65,000 people on three occasions at the Church of the Nazarene International Conventions and General Assembly held at the RCA Hosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana (July 1993) and (June 2001), and the Alamadome Stadium in San Antonio, Texas in 1997. It has also shared the stage with leading local and Caribbean gospel artists such as the Grace Thrillers, Joseph Niles, Shine the Light, Jerry Lloyd, Nicole Ballosingh and Promise and internationally, with Ron Kenoly, Jeffrey White, Rise\' Joiner and Bishop Clarence E. McClendon.
In April 1998, the group performed at the historic inaugural National Heroes Day Celebrations in Barbados, where an estimated 25,000 people were in attendance while many others watched it live on national television. The group has also participated in local television programmes such as Youth in Concert, Time to Sing, and a Barbados Tourism Authority video-taping for international promotion called \"SPLASH BARBADOS\", which was shown on international television networks in Canada, USA and Europe.
The group has won numerous awards, made tours to the Caribbean, USA Bermuda, and has produced many annual concerts.