Before the world knew about the band Y.O.U., Shurwayne Winchester kept the hearts and souls of Caribbean music lovers across the world, pumping with energy. He kept flags and rags waving in mid air, momentum peaked, and with his groovy melodies he wooed the ladies.

From a decade with the band Traffik to 10 months with Y.O.U., Shurwayne Winchester remains a strong force at the forefront of Caribbean music, and for this reason he has been nominated for an award in the upcoming Sunshine Music Awards.

The event to be held on October 24th in New York City will see homage paid to a number of creators, performers and promoters of the Caribbean’s performing arts. Chairman and Founder of the Sunshine Awards, Gil Figaro, in inviting Shurwayne said that this year’s Grammy-style gala, will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People  (NAACP). He highlighted that Shurwayne’s presence would ultimately support the committee’s goal which is to pay tribute to the NAACP and our fore-parents for their struggles in ensuring that many can today enjoy the benefits of education and equality in our world.

Winchester feels gratified by, and excited about the nomination. He says, “whether I’m awarded or not, I feel honored to have even been considered. I’m privileged to have been given the gift that I have and because of the people who came before me, I can sing to people across the world, unhindered. I’ll attend, if only to show my support for the tribute that will be paid to the NAACP.”

“Carnival Please Stay,” the song, which copped the 2008 Groovy Soca Monarch in T&T will stand among other great songs sung by other incredible entertainers from the Caribbean in the category of Best Soca Song. This year, the Sunshine Awards celebrates its 21st anniversary in the Big Apple (NYC), however plans are already underway for a large-scale event to be held in Uganda in 2010.