Reggae artist Mitchelle “Live Wires” Trott will tonight perform a new original song which encourages people to stand up for their rights.

Stand Tall is one of two new songs Mr Trott will be performing with his band, the Kings, at the West End Sailboat Club, as part of his Earthstrong birthday concert, tonight. The other new song is called Fire Burn Dem.

“I wrote Fire Burn Dem after a friend of mine was murdered,” Mr Trott said. “The song is not directed towards anybody in particular, but is about burning out all evil conceptions.”

Mr Trott believes that Black men are an endangered species because they often kill one another, which, he says, is why he and the Kings try to promote positive images through their music.

Mr Trott has always been passionate about music and performing. His grandfather, John “Pickle” Spence, was a well-known gombey.

Wendell “Shine” Hayward was one of his many music teachers and directed the first band that Mr Trott was in, the Sophisticated Gents. He began writing songs at the age of 12.

The Kings will not be the only act performing at the sailboat club tonight. The concert will feature comedienne Gina Love as well as some Bermuda Idol winners. Mr Trott said he wanted to keep the other featured artists a surprise for concertgoers.

“I chose to have this concert at the West End Sailboat Club because it is a great venue, with great atmosphere and has the Great Sound as a backdrop,” he said. “Our last few performances have been in the east, so we want to bring positive vibes up to the west now.”

Gates for the event will open at 8pm and the show will start at 8.30pm. Tickets are $60 and part of the proceeds will go to the African Diaspora Heritage Fund.

Vance Campbell, the Minister of Tourism, will be the distinguished patron for the concert. Tickets can be purchased at ptix.bm, Caesar’s Pharmacy, Fish N Tings or by calling Mr Trott directly on 518-2769.