Out of the maddening crowd of artistes that fill the Jamaican arena, hails an international icon whose record cannot be wiped out. EVERTON BONNER, aka PLIERS, of the dynamic duo Chakademus and Pliers, was an entertainer from the moment he was conceived. He and all his siblings are blessed with vocal talent, an attribute that can be traced back to his mother, the singer points out. My mother is a big singer, so it is natural that her children would inherit her qualities. Hailing form the cooler climes of Rock Hall, a rustic district nestled in the hills of St. Andrew, this quiet, introverted troubadour has represented himself and his family well. He has spearheaded the Bonner Productions Company and is responsible for paving the way for his younger brothers who have followed in his footsteps namely Richie Spice and Spanner Banner who are both holding their own on both the local and international music scene. Originally called Blues Melody by his friends in his hometown, while singing on King Bidia, a small local sound system in his community, he was often praised for the sweetness of the melody in his voice, a quality he has managed to better with time like a fine wine. He eventually became known as Pliers while recording at Black Scorpio studio, and his early hits include the very first version of Murder She Wrote, and the stark reality song Babylon a Brutalize. With his smooth, fluent warble weaving a pretty path between original songs and cover versions, Pliers managed to distinguish himself as a member of the dancehall elite. The meeting and collaboration of Chakademus and Pliers, two great personalities and keen minds complementing each other, was inevitable. A string of hits and vastly improved record sales was the result. Their first collaboration Gal Wine spent over three months on the reggae charts in 1992, followed by a solo song by Pliers called Bam Bam and Murder She Wrote which became the biggest selling reggae dancehall single of 1992. Subsequently, Murder She Wrote, Tease Me, Twist and Shout, and War A Gwaan all took the world by storm and soon the duo was enjoying record-breaking sales worldwide. Their smash hit “Murder She Wrote” made them a household name in reggae and dancehall music worldwide, with albums that have gone Gold, Platinum and Triple Platinum. Then came the accolades. Number One on the British Top of The Pops along with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest selling single ever Twist & Shout; hits on movie soundtracks such as Save the Last Dance, Poetic Justice, and PS2 Grand Theft Auto- Saint Andreas. Performing in countries many of their contemporaries only dream about, Chakademus and Pliers have wowed sold-out crowds all over the world including Japan, Australia, Ethiopia, and all over Europe and Africa. They have performed unmatched feats such as performing to over one hundred and seventy thousand screaming fans in Brazil. After a self-imposed sabbatical, Chakademus and Pliers have since graced the world with more recent tracks employing Pliers’ savory, yearning vocals and Chakademus’ cajoling deejay lyrics on their single “Need Your Loving” which made an indelible mark on the music scene, featured on their most recent album Back Off The Wall. Recently, the dynamic duo took their journey to another level on the stage of the 2007 American Music Awards, performing alongside International R&B star Alicia Keys and stealing the show with reggae legends Junior Reid and Beenie Man. Their performance was the talk of the show and it revealed a deep respect for Jamaican music and its biggest players. This was followed by their first ever US tour, long-awaited over the course of their 20+ year career. Their cross-country tour took travelling from Seattle, to Chicago, Orlando, Minnesota and all the way to Hawaii and back…performing their Number One hits for sold-out crowds all over the US. Intent on focusing on Bonner Productions, and the thrilling three Bonner Brothers, Pliers has since released a new album along with Richie Spice, and featuring the likes of Spanner Banner, Capleton, and Anthony B. The single titled Emotions by Richie Spice and Pliers, had every Jamaican dedicating it to their mothers who have them feeling emotions, higher than the heavens above. The album is a sizzling, effervescent mix of roots reggae and soulful ballads, specially produced and designed to capture your heart while you meditate the powerful lyrics, then send you jumping and pumping to the hip beat, featuring much talked-about singles such as Murderer and Night Nurse. As always, Pliers has something for everyone…in one hit he is touching on the plight of the nation as he wails murderer, political murderer then he cries out for a night nurse to quench his thirst. Since touring Australia at the end of 2008, Pliers has kept busy with solo performances in North Carolina and will soon be re-visiting Hawaii with Chakademus for a series of shows before going on a 2-month European tour. Till then he is hard at work constantly upgrading his new solo album “Sex and Religion” which is set to hit the streets in May2009. Already making waves are the singles “Melony” and “Rough Times”, classic displays of Pliers’ smooth, soothing vocals along with his unique versatility…serenading and singjaying intricately interwoven like a beautiful macramé. Video releases are in the works and it’s getting bigger, better and the best is yet to come! Pliers has redefined himself, an artistic individual, singer/producer, moving forward, mixing the contemporary styles with the present, yet still rooted in the reggae tradition that first nurtured him- an international reggae superstar who has set the trend for many at home and abroad. Compiled by: K .Graham bonnerproductions@yahoo.com