Bingie Barker

<p align="left">Lionel ‘Bingie' Barker was born in Kingston, Jamaica. The son of calypso king “Lord Jellicoe” and choir singer Esmie, Barker began his singing career as a child, first in the school choir at St. Anne's Infant and Primary schools (Western Kingston) and then joining his mother's church choir. A normal, though slightly mischievous child, Barker's childhood pranks resulted in an unusual punishment; to accompany his father to “work” and spend long hours in recording sessions or at rehearsals. This “punishment” was perfect for the musically inclined young Barker. The experience enhanced Barker's musical appreciation, and he was fortunate to meet Jamaica's top musicians including <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=70">Don Drummond</a>, the entire <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=71">Skatalites</a> Band, Babba Brooks, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=767">Bryon Lee</a> (producer and The Dragonnaires' band leader), <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2574">Duke Reid</a> ‘The Trojan', Sir Coxone Downbeat - <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=2504">Clement Dodd</a>, and many others. <br>
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During these recording sessions, Barker was often rewarded for good behavior by being allowed to play the triangle, the grater – and sometimes to sing background vocals (to his father's lead vocals) on a track or two. Barker also accompanied his father to gigs at the North Coast hotels, and the young Barker's performances earned applause, one-dollar bills, and Coca Cola. When Barker was seven years old, he sang a duet with his sister, Alethia that was broadcast live throughout Jamaica on Radiofusion (RJR) and Radio Jamaica. <br>
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Barker was a teenager during the era of the highly competitive outdoor sound systems, which blazed music on Kingston streets headlined by <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=42">King Tubby's</a> hi-fi with Hugh Roy, Tippertone with ‘<a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=20">Big Youth</a>', Sir George ‘The Atomic', and Prince Patrick Sound Systems. He rarely missed a live concert and, influenced by the performances of local and foreign artists, Barker formed a trio, ‘Bingie and the Astronaughts', in 1968. <br>
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Barker immigrated to Canada in 1972 to attend Algonquin College of Arts, Science and Technology, and soon joined the Sound of Freedom band as lead vocalist. The group performed alongside an array of international artists including The Fabulous Five and Inner Circle. Barker was also a radio deejay, and hosted the only Afro/Caribbean program being broadcast in 1979. In November of that year, Barker had the opportunity to meet <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=26">Bob Marley</a> while The Wailers were touring Canada. Barker's interview with Bob Marley has been aired annually on Cable Channel 22 in Ottawa since 1981. <br>
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In 1990, Barker formed ‘Bingie Barker and the Raggamuffin Band', and the group took the city of Ottawa by storm; they captured “Band of the Year” and “Vocalist of the Year” awards in 1991. <br>
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In addition to performances at festivals, charity balls and private parties, “Bingie Barker (RAW # 1442) and the Raggamuffin Band” have a standing Thursday night engagement at various venues in Ottawa since 1994, most notably The Whipping Post , Perfect Strangers, and presently, Babylon Night Club. </p>
<p align="left">Bingie Barker was recently nominated for the “Top Reggae Newcomer (Male)” award by Canadian Reggae Music Awards. Barker is the current “Featured Artist” on TheOrbit.net ( <a href="http://www.TheOrbit.net/orbits/ire/reggae2.html">http://www.TheOrbit.net/orbits/ire/reggae2.html </a> ), and he was selected as he Featured International Artist for the week of April 21 on www.riffage.com </p>
<p align="left">Bingie Barker's debut CD “Rebel.com”, was released in July of 1999 at the Hard Rock Café in Ottawa, Canada. The CD was selected by CBC's Heartland host Bill Stunt as “Disk of the Week” (November 20, 1999) and the song “Mr. President” has been selected “Pick of the Day” on both MP3.com and AMP3.com, where “Rebel.com” continues to hold a Top Ten position. Additionally, both “Mr. President” and “Key to your Heart” recently charted in the #1 position in France on www.francemp3.com; “Mr. President” is featured on the soundtrack of “Spanish Moss”, an independent film by J Films Incorporated. A video of “Mr. President” was released on June 3, 2000; Rebel.com, MP3, SpinRecords.com, and Much Music sponsored the video release party, at Barrymore's in Ottawa. </p>
<p align="left">Barker's web site, www.bingiebarker.com, contains Rebel.com sound samples and purchasing information; the site received a “Peace & Harmony Award” from reggae Train (www.reggaetrain.com) in October of 1999. <br>
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<p align="left">During August 2001, while recording for his new CD “ Dimensions “ , Bingie's daughter, friend, and back-up singer, Kelly-Anne Barker, tragically lost her life in a car accident, and two months later in October, Bingie's dad also passed. Two tracks were completed with Kelly-Anne, ( Ghetto Dub & Tribute to Bob Marley ). The pre-released “Tribute to Bob” was “Selector's Choice” on veteran DJ/Host Lance O's Kulcha Shok reggae program in Miami. Also, a sample R&B track from Bingie, “Key to my heart”(Baby) is included on a compilation CD by Germany's Vitaminic.com, featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Patti LeBelle </p>