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Walt Willey
Best known to many as All My Children’ “Jackson Montgomery”, a role he played for almost 25 years, Walt is one of the busiest men in showbiz. He has just wrapped a series for Discovery, Gunslingers, in which he played Wild West icon “Wild Bill” Hickok and a web series for NYC Brands, Tainted Dreams. He begins production on another Western series, Thurston, in October. Currently touring with his one-man show, Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok and his stand-up comedy act, the Wild & Willey Comedy Tour, Walt has still found time to do Deathtrap with his son Chance, and to co-host the Miss America’s Miss Virginia Pageant...and that's just since June!
Born in Ottawa, Illinois, Walt Willey attended Southern Illinois University where he studied fine arts and also began his life in acting. After numerous Off-Broadway productions, including Dust Off and stints on NBC's Another World as “James La Russo”, he branched out into stand-up comedy in 1990 across the country, headlining at the famous comedy club Caroline’s in New York. He continues to tour nationally, and friend and fellow comic, The View’s Joy Behar, proposed him for membership into the famous Friars Club. Walt joined the likes of Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Billy Crystal when he was inducted into this prestigious entertainment fraternity in January 2001.
Walt co-hosted The 20th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, with Susan Lucci. He also co-hosted the 1992 Ford Supermodel of the World with Beverly Johnson, and again in 1993 with Rachel Hunter. Willey was co-host of ABC’s coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1994, 1995, and again in 1997. Walt also hosted Disney's A Magical Time in a Magical Place.
At Disney’s Super Soap Weekend, Walt has hosted the “Talk Show”, “Street Jam”, the game show “Super Soap Spin” and was the only person besides his friend Meredith Veira, to be allowed to host the on-property “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!” Walt also regularly hosts charity fundraisers, and developed the WilleyWorld Endowment Fund, benefiting children’s charities.
When not working, Walt resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife and partner, Marie and his son, Chance, and daughter, Merit. They are owners and proprietors of the Crystal Mesa Farm Bed and Breakfast and the 317 Aztec Café in Santa Fe.
Samoya Kirby
Samoya Kirby is no stranger to the stage. In 1999 she captured the title of Miss Antigua & Barbuda and represented her island in numerous regional competitions, charities and international trade events. She currently works as a news reporter and news anchor with Antigua and Barbuda’s national broadcasting service.
Since 2004, Samoya has also served as the voice of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation. She has also spearheaded projects such as the Ivan Relief mission to Grenada in 2004, the Redicover Antigua and Barbuda tourism week. She is currently pursuing her MA in Media Communication and Public Relations with the University of Leicester in England.
On hosting World Travel Awards, Samoya says, “I am humbled and I graciously accept the opportunity to represent the beautiful Twin Island State of Antigua and Barbuda for the prestigious World Travel Awards. The directors could not have selected a more exotic destination than Antigua and Barbuda and the world-renowned Sandals Antigua Mediterranean Village. I am definitely looking forward to the experience of a lifetime where the rest of the world will be inculcated with the rich sweetness of Antiguan (Wadadli) culture.”
Burning Flames
King Onyan is best known as one of the founding members and lead vocalist of The Burning Flames, a band which was formed in 1985 and is one of the world’s longest lasting jam bands.
Burning Flames made a strong debut with the song “Stiley Tight”. Onyan and the band continued to enjoy massive success in the years which followed with global hits including “Workey Workey” and soca anthem “Island Girl”.
In 1997 Toriano embarked upon a solo career as King Onyan, going on to become a four time, and undefeated, Calypso Monarch of Antigua. He also started the Baygon band.
In 2006 Onyan rejoined Burning Flames as lead vocalist and guitarist. In the off season following carnival the Onyan tours extensively and writes and produces for several national and regional artists. He also mentors young musicians, aiding them in honing and developing their talents as writers, producers and musicians.
17 61º
The band 17 61º represents Antigua & Barbuda with 17 61º being the first part of the longitude and latitude to pin point Antigua & Barbuda on the world grid. Also the 17 61º band logo is made up of the Antigua & Barbuda National flag colours.
17 61º is a collective of professional musicians with scores of performances to their credit, including performances on BBC TV, as well as UK Tour and many live performances throughout the Caribbean and America, supporting artists such as Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Ray Davies, Tian Winters and Kenne Blessin. 17 61º will be recording original material for promotion this year and with a music video to follow.
Passion De Danse
Passion De Danse founder, Karen Brookes, is well known for her contribution to the development of dance in Antigua. She studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of music and Dance in London, a leading school of contemporary dance in the world.
In August 2012 Brookes and two other colleagues were selected to assist at the Trinity Laban’s dance Summer school workshop, where she assisted with teaching choreography comprising of over 100 students. After her training, Brookes was also given the opportunity to work with Paul Weaver – an acclaimed London Arts photographer.
After popular demand, Karen began the Passion De Danse school where she exposes her dancers to various forms of contemporary dance as well as technique, African, hip hop and Caribbean dance forms. Her aim is to give her students a wide background of genres but a good foundation in technique so they become flexible all round dancers able to specialize if they so desire. You can find them in cultural shows, the carnival stage, charity events and even in church.
Kayla Lay
Singing and entertaining has always been Kayla Lay’s blood and veins. At age of just four, she showed her little community her immense talents at her preschool graduation, and all through elementary school she would perform with her two cousins, and they even wrote a song in 1999, later making it a single in 2001.
She was a member of her high school choir and a member of Le’ Chateau D’or School of Music, playing the keyboard, recorder and the steel pan. In 2005, Kayla was a part of a trio called SKS to compete in a national competition called Star Quest 268 then became a duet in 2008 called KiS. They released their dancehall/ hip hop crossover single and music video Pon Di Riddim, which was used as a soundtrack for the Caribbean movie, Redemption in Paradise. It was time for a change for Kayla, so she crossed over to the soca world, joining the Tonik Band, releasing soca songs that year and the following year, while performing around the country. She participated in the country’s Annual Summer festival, Antigua’s Carnival, by releasing her soca singles in 2011 and 2012, making it to the semi-finals in the Party Monarch Competition.
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