KINGSTON, Jamaica – HOWDY! There will be a special tribute to late dancehall star Leonard ‘Merciless’ Bartley during the 19th anniversary of Weddy Weddy on Wednesday night.

“Ah my artiste so of course, we have to have a segment [Wednesday night] that is dedicated to the great Leonard and play all the big tunes that are his legacy. Howdy!” an enthusiastic sounding Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, owner of Stone Love Movements, said.

It is perhaps fitting that Stone Love will be delivering the tribute because it was a Stone Love session at the then House of Leo on Cargill Avenue in St Andrew that Merciless got his first big break when he voiced a ‘Len Out Mi Mercy’ dub plate for the sound which played there in prime time.

READ: Merciless found dead in motel

Wee Pow himself pulled it up nine times the night with the intro “this is going to be an artiste touring places, seeing faces” and he became an instant star.

The event will mark another special milestone for Stone Love. Several top flight artistes are expected to pass through the event.

“We have to big up Guinness for coming on board and offering special bucket deals for our patrons. We appreciate it. This is a time for us to be thankful and not take anything or anyone for granted. We will be celebrating our anniversary, our lives, friendships and good music,” Powell said.

Weddy Weddy, a popular weekly event on the entertainment calendar, is held at Burlington Avenue in St Andrew on Wednesdays.

Merciless, born Leonard Bartley, passed away on Tuesday, July 19 at the age of 51.

The artiste, who hailed from Chapelton in Clarendon, made his recording debut in 1994 with ‘Lend Out Mi Mercy’. He followed up that hit with fan faves like ‘Gal Dem Gizzada’, the gastro-culinary ode ‘Mama Cooking’, the boastful ‘Ole Gallis’, ‘Mavis’ (released on Shaggy’s Boombastic rhythm), the Dave Kelly-produced ‘Let Them Have It’ and ‘Mr Whodini’.

His signature greeting to fans was ‘Howdy!’