Misha Lobban, Gleaner Writer

The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend.
Henry David Thoreau

Singer/songwriter Duane Stephenson is a fresh new voice in contemporary reggae music, who has already begun to create sensation with the release of his first album, From August Town.

The former lead singer of the group To-Isis launched his solo career with the release of From August Town in October 2007. Produced by Dean Fraser, the album blends social commentary and romantic lyrics with the singer's excellent vocals. The album also includes collaborations with popular artistes such as Anthony B, Mystic Routes and Tarrus Riley.

An exceptionally gifted songwriter, Stephenson has been writing since his early teens, penning many of the songs performed by To-Isis while he was a member. He has also written songs for artistes such as Luciano, Morgan Heritage and Jah Cure. The talented artiste has also been trying his hand at producing with album credits on Jah Cure's True Reflections ... A New Beginning and on Tarrus Riley's Parables and Mystic Routes Journey albums.

Stephenson's musical talent can be attributed to his early exposure to music, as his uncle Michael Rutherford, was lead singer of the band Sonny Bradshaw and the Big Band, and Rhythms Kings band.

His best friend is Robert 'Willy' Williams, a founding member of To-Isis. Williams and Stephenson are also former members of Cathy Levy's Little People Performance Ensemble, where they were first introduced to performing arts and the stage.

In this week's feature, Williams tells us that Stephenson is not only a gifted songwriter but is also skilled at basketball, football and tennis. In fact, he taught tennis privately from as early as 14 years old.

How did you meet Duane Stephenson and how long have you been friends?

Duane and I met about 18 years ago. We were in our early teens and we used to play basketball at Hope Valley Experimental School, which is close to August Town. Duane lived in August Town, which is close to Elletson Flats where I lived.

We became friends playing basketball together and then we became closer when I joined Cathy Levy's Little People club in 1993. The club was located at the Liguanea School in Half-Way Tree and Duane used to do extra lessons at the school so I invited him to join the club.

While we were in the club, Duane and I would spend a lot of time together singing our favourite old hits and we eventually formed a group called Alto Volta, along with two other guys in the club. The group would sing at barbecues and other events. Then three other guys joined the group and we changed the name to South Side 7 but Cathy Levy recommended that we change the name of the group and we came up with the name To-Isis in 1997.

Whenever we went on tours, he and I would hang out together and we looked out for each other. Nine years later, he left the group and went out on his own but we have maintained our friendship and I even go with him to his performances and video shoots just to give him my support.

Tell us what you admire most about him and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

He is very focused and goes after what he wants to achieve. He treats people with great respect, irrespective of who they are, and he is kind; he has nothing that he considers too good to give to someone who needs it. Also, despite his success, he remains very humble.

We share the same goals and the desire to achieve the things we set out to do, and we encourage each other to pursue our goals. We are alike in that we are quiet and humble. We treat each other like brothers and we get along very well.

Tell us something interesting about him.

Duane is exceptionally gifted and has been writing songs all his life. In fact, when he was 14 years old he wrote the song, Ghetto Pain, which is on his album. Majority of the songs that To-Isis performed were written by him.

Growing up in the ghetto as a child, Duane was very conscious about the things that happened in his environment and the society and he would write songs based on that. Writing, for him, is a form of self-expression.

What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?

He loves to talk about politics, current affairs and we also talk about our plans for music, our career and our future. We also talk about personal things.

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.

There are many happy moments but the day he bought his first motor car was significant because, as a youth, he would walk everywhere trying to make a better life for himself. Even when he broke his leg while playing football in 1999, he was still up and about on his crutches. I was very happy for him when he bought his motor car in 2002 because I knew it would lessen the pressure on him and make life a bit easier.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of him and why.

Humble. He is from humble beginnings and has experienced many challenges and even with his latest success, he has remained humble and continues to have a humble perspective on life.

What are his favourite food, music and sport?

He loves to eat and loves food. Period! But he especially likes fried plantains.

Kenny Rogers, Phil Collins, Peter Tosh and Lucky Dube are among his favourites.

He is great at basketball and he plays football very well too. He is also good at playing tennis. His uncle, Noel Rutherford, played tennis for Jamaica and so Duane grew up playing tennis. He was very good at the game.

Tell us the colour/s that you associate with him:

Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget.

Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend.

Red - signifying someone you really love.

Green - signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life.

Green, because he is a positive person and doesn't believe that there is anything impossible to be achieved in life. He goes out there and makes things happen. Even though he was from the ghetto, he worked hard towards a better life. He inspired me to be a better person and to achieve the things I want out of life.

And I choose orange because if I am in a difficult spot, I know that I can call on him anytime and he will be there to help me. He is dependable, reliable and simply a true friend. He will sacrifice to make sure you are okay and he doesn't take his relationships for granted.

I will be leaving to go live in England soon and my doors will always be open to Duane and I know that when I come to Jamaica, his doors will be open to me. We will forever be friends.

Please send your feedback and comments to lobban_misha@yahoo.com.