Connie Campbell - Contributed photos

Popular back-up singer Connie Campbell will receive 'strength' from local entertainers as they gather in Washington in the United States for the 'Connie Campbell Foundation Concert'.

Campbell, a popular back-up singer for several leading reggae acts including Luciano, Shaggy and Tarrus Riley, had a seizure on August 23, 2009, just minutes before hitting the stage while on tour with Riley at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex in Maryland. Since then, there has been many avenues available to assist the back-up singer including a 'Help Connie Campbell get therapy' group on Facebook and a 'Connie Campbell Foundation' started in her honour.

According to the Facebook group, Campbell will need, "expensive, extensive and prolonged therapy over the next 6-9 months, and her family, friends and close associates have rallied to help raise awareness about Connie's plight, and to raise funds for her therapy." The group explains that initially Campbell was thought to have gone into a coma but was later diagnosed as having had a "brainstem stroke", and now has 'locked-in syndrome' where the singer hears everything and is able to react to some commands, but is unable to speak.

This Sunday, at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex, artistes such as Shaggy, Tarrus Riley, Duane Stephenson, Sherita Lewis and Cocoa Tea hope to make a difference as they perform at the 'Connie Campbell Foundation Concert'. The proceeds from the show are expected to go to the Connie Campbell Foundation which is being managed by the singer's family.

When The STAR spoke to Riley he commented, "Connie has been my back-up singer for a long time, I've known her since 1997 she's my friend and worked on all my early recordings. Crossroads is where it happened, so its fitting we're having the concert there to raise awareness and we know that the people will show up to support the foundation."