Sonnie lives up to Billing

As I got closer to the gates of the auditorium (National Theater), I could hear some wonderful Ghanaian traditional drum rhythms. Oh! That was to usher in the guests of the Sonnie Badu concert? I must mention that seeing and hearing that traditional band welcome guests

so beautifully really impressed me. It was about ten minutes to 7 when I got there. Since the concert was scheduled to begin at 6, I rushed through the entrance and quickly moved into the main hall, only to realize that the show had not even begun. I was disappointed.

Technical people kept running around and looked very busy fixing “stuff” as usual. We kept waiting, watching the red curtain and tried to enjoy the music that was playing in the hall.

Finally, at about 7:12, Sunny Fm's Fifi Folson, the MC for the night walked in on stage. His very first word seemingly triggered a huge buzz out of the P.A system. After that ugly sound had been quenched, he went on to welcome the audience, or better still, the worshipers who had come together to magnify the Lord. He quickly apologized for the late start of the programme and introduced the first performer. It was this songstress who also knew her way around the piano. For a first performance, she did really well. A couple of groups came after her but the concert took off when Celestine Donkor came on to minister some very wonderful songs.

Joe Beecham, came on afterwards and took it even higher. Minister after Minister, song after song, the atmosphere kept charging more and more. On the bill, in addition to those mentioned earlier were, Kwaku Gyasi, Nii Okai, Soul Winners and Danny Nettey. After these, performances, the curtain was drawn so the main act would set up. A quick sound check was done to bring sound quality up to the main act's standard.

After some time, every thing was ready and at 11:00 pm, the curtain was raised for Sonnie Badu. And every single person was on his feet. But the lights were off, something that did not surprise me, because a little teaser at such points is necessary. Then again I heard the sound of those beautiful drums which I had heard at the main entrance. Shortly after that, with the lights still off, came the instrumentation of one of the songs from sonnie's album. Whoever was singing the song deceived me for sometime. I only realized it wasn't Sonnie Badu's voice, when the singer begun hitting high notes.

After a nerve-racking teaser, the lights came on and there he stood, the BEFTA Award Winner for Best Gospel act, The Worshipper, Ghana's pride in the World of Gospel Music, Sonnie Badu in his beautiful, black apparel.

The first song that the proper Sonnie Badu sang was his hot praise medley, which kept us all on our feet. A lot of people including myself were very tied as a result of all the dancing we had done with the other artistes. Some people at this point left the hall probably to sleep in preparation for Sunday church service. But a good number of us wouldn't let our money go like that. We were very ready to wait on “Covenant Keeping God”.

When Sonnie's first song had faded away, and after he had acknowledged a few people and honored his father by presenting him his BEFTA Award, we stepped into the presence of the most high in worship. The spirit of the Lord was all over. That was when I lost my mental pen, because, God kissed the earth and specially so at the National Theater of Ghana and I was lost in HIS gl

Originating at www.pinnaclegh.com