Marlon Smith (left) and Marlon King, The Marlons. - ContributedTEN FINALISTS of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's National Popular Song contest are to go on to the finals set for Saturday, July 28.
Michael Nicholson, JCDC's national co-ordinator for the contest told The Gleaner that this year's crop of finalists are among the best in recent years.
He noted too, that this year's contest has attracted a number of young people, who are hoping to use the competition as a stepping stone to "stardom".
The finalists signed contracts last Tuesday with the JCDC committing themselves to participating in road shows, promotional CD and video, and the rules and regulations governing the contest.
The contest began in 1966 under the name Festival Song Contest and has produced a long list of winners who have gone on to be household names. Among them are Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, Toots Hibbert, The Astronauts, Stanley Beckford and Heather Grant.
The top ten songs for this year: are Gwan Go Wok written by Quilbert Ford, performed by Baya Ford, St. Elizabeth; Proud To Be Jamaican, written by Livingston Morgan and performed by Barry and Friends from Manchester; Land Of The King And Queen, written by Rowrie Townsend and performed by Donnette Townsend of Clarendon; The Best Recipe, by Errol A. Williams and performed by Errol and The Juwse of Clarendon; Feel The Breeze written by Omall and Donald and performed by AY2 of Kingston and St. Andrew.
Lift Up Jamaica was written and performed by Roy Richards of St. Ann; Love JA, by Rupert Harper and performed by Stamma T of Kingston and St. Andrew; Say It Out , Lord, written by R. Reynolds and performed by the Potential Crew of Kingston and St. Andrew; A Fe We Time, written by Marlon Smith and performed by the Marlons of St. Catherine; Get Up And Move, by Sylvester Fyffe and performed by Time & Space of Kingston and St. Andrew
The Gleaner understands negotiations are presently under way with Tastee Limited to be this year's major sponsor.
Road shows for the competition are scheduled to begin in June, leading up to the finals.
