By SHAVAUGHN MOSS, Lifestyles Editor

Everything's all set to go, and there won't be a debacle like what happened a few weeks ago with another concert, according to promoter Steve McKinney of Five Star International PR Network, as the countdown is on to the 8th annual Millennium Countdown Concert, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.

"All signals are go, everything's locked down and confirmed, and the artists have all been paid, so we're not anticipating any glitches," said McKinney yesterday. "The only thing that can stop these artists from coming to town is death."

McKinney says this is an event you don't want to miss, with names like Keyshia Cole, Brian McKnight, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams signing on for waht promises to be a sizzling affair, with music for all tastes and pleasures, incorporating reggae, dancehall, R&B and gospel.

As an added bonus, $8,000 is up for grabs by concert attendees, tickets will be put into a pot and by lucky draw, one winner will walk away with $5,000, and another with $3,000 according to McKinney.

Tickets also went on sale yesterday, with platinum tickets priced at $175 in advance and $200 at the door. VIP tickets are going for $100, and $125 at the door. General admission is $40, and can be purchased at the Juke Box, Urban Nation, Wyndham Resort Box Office and Sigma Management, Hilton Business Center

R&B and soul lovers, you definitely don't want to miss the performances of Cole, and McKnight. Reggae lovers will be thrilled with the lineup of Morgan Heritage, dancehall artist Mavado, reggae singer Tony Rebel, dancehall artist Queen Ifrica, Etana, who rejected the image of sexy dancehall genre in favor of the visible lifestyle defined by Rastafari, and reggae artist Jah Cure. Gospel lovers are in for a treat with Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Landlord and the Christian Massive group who are set to perform at this year's event, under the theme "Unity Through Music, God Above All".

And then there's the crossover crowd who like a bit of everything, and won't want to miss a night of this fabulous affair, which showcases an array of international recording stars for the four-day event, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.

"Millennium Countdown Concert in The Bahamas has carved out its very own special place in the heart and soul of concert goers around the world because of the energy and focus we place on providing the very best quality artists for the concert series," says promoter Josef Bogdanovich of Downsound Records. "We get the large numbers of international guests and tourists here because of the high caliber of celebrity artists and musicians we put on stage."

Promoters Sigma Management (Bahamas) and Downsound Records have combined their efforts to organize and stage the event for the eighth consecutive year in New Providence.

The concert is being promoted in Europe, Canada, the United States and the Caribbean with hopes of attracting scores of international guests and tourists to the country.

"A key focus for us is that everyone must win from this major undertaking," said promoter Frank Forbes of Sigma Management (Bahamas). "Everyone includes The Bahamas tourism industry, our straw vendors, food vendors, local arts & craft artists, Junkanoo groups, Fish Fry vendors, taxi drivers and local hotels. This is the reason behind placing a tourism flare in the promotions throughout the USA, Canada and the UK. We are beckoning them to come to The Bahamas for the MC8 as a must do getaway to the sunny and friendly shores for a three-day unforgettable music festival," he said.

People from Toronto, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Miami, Jamaica and the Caribbean are being courted to cash in on a dream vacation opportunity for the event.

8th Millennium Countdown Concert

Pre-party night — Thursday, Oct. 30

Pre-party and fashion show

International night — Friday, Oct. 31

Keyshia Cole

Brian McKnight

Morgan Heritage

Etana

Reggae Dancehall Night — Saturday, Nov. 1

Mavado

Jah Cure

Bounty Killer

Harry Toddler

Queen Ifrica

Tony Rebel

Demarco

Magma

Temperature

Chi Ching

Princess Menen

Sky Juice

DJ Smurf

Gospel Night — Sunday, Nov. 2

Yolanda Adams

Donnie McClurkin

Landlord

Christian Massive

Tickets

Platinum: $175 in advance, $200 at door

VIP: $100 in advance, $125 at the door

General Admission: $40

Box office

Juke Box

Urban Nation

Wyndham Resort Box Office

Sigma Management, Hilton Business Center