Kevin Downswell performs at the Jamaica Gospel Song 2K9 launch at the Ranny Williams Centre, Hope Road, on Wednesday evening. - Photo by Mel Cooke
In between shifting musical gears to go uptempo with his second song at the launch of Jamaica Gospel 2K9 (sponsored mainly by Grace Tropical Rhythms) on Wednesday night, 2003 winner Kevin Downswell reminded this year's finalists of their wider responsibility.
"As much as this is a competition, remember you are one body, the body of Christ. In my year, we focused on one thing," he told the very enthusiastic audience at the Ranny Williams Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew.
The finalists in the 22nd staging of the competition were present to hear the advice from one who has gone before them and present their entries to the whoops and hollers of their supporters in the audience.
This year's top 10 are Reassurance, sung by Kimela Isaacs and produced by Grub Cooper; Sen' Down by Kimola Brown (produced by Garfield Martin); Weh Yu a Worry Fah by Brinetta Lewis (produced by Jon Williams and Christine Fisher); Wherever I Go, performed by Nickette Morgan, produced by Jon Williams; Fabian Wright's I Have Your Mercy (producer Othneil Lewis); Robert and Jenieve Bailey's production of Omar Douglas' Jehovah Nah Sleep; André Wright's Man O God (producer Mario Lawrence); Buss Out (singer Leo Lewis, producer Paul Barclay); Tabi Gay Maxwell and Gilhesia Smith's You Are, written by Nichole Crawford and produced by Dennis Rushton; and Courick Clarke's production of Gamel Grant's Take Me To Jesus.
Starting tomorrow, the finalists will be spreading the word all over Jamaica, as the 'I Believe in Praise' gospel tour begins in Black River, St Elizabeth, at 10 a.m. It goes through Spaldings before ending in Lionel Town, Clarendon, with a Jamaica Gospel Street Blocker concert. They will go to other areas of the island on the following three Saturdays.
Wednesday's event also served as a launch of the 'I Believe in Praise' album of the top 10 songs. It is the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) 12th album from the gospel competition over the years.
Heidi Leith, the competition's coordinator, noted the expansion of the gospel competition from four roadshows to 14 shows across the island, as well as the number of reggae songs which have placed in the top 10, this to the satisfaction of the producers.
Satisfying gowth
And there was satisfaction all around when Grace Tropical Rhythms' brand manager Nicholas Bramwell handed over a sponsorship cheque for $4.5 million to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.
Grange noted the gospel competition's growth with satisfaction, saying, "I remember when it was launched in 1987. We were all very anxious." She said that the contestants must not only get exposure, but also be "equipped to get the maximum returns on their creative talent".
"At the end of the competition all the participants must be prepared to continue their career in the gospel ministry," Grange said.
JCDC chairman, Bishop Dr Ronald Blair, added there is the hope that "the participants will not only aim to win, but also aim to minister as it should be".