Nadine Sutherland - still burning bright

Sutherland

Nadine Sutherland's past as a child star is still a burning fire. She relives with zest winning the first Tastee Talent Contest grand final in 1979 and recording her first song 'Starvation on the Land'.

Nadine said that her childhood stardom was just "thrust upon her", but she grew up as a normal child.

According to her, she was putting out records for all of her St. Andrew days and she entered the JCDC Festival Song Contest at age 15.

"As a child star people never saw me as a person. I was put in a fish bowl and viewed as just a celebrity," she said.

But promoters like Sharon Burke feel that child stars should be given latitude to grow.

"I don't think it will affect schoolwork... they can cope with both," she said.

Sharon would have no problem putting a child on a show she is promoting as long as their lyrics are not offensive.

"Parents should also set the principles," she suggested.

Jade Lee of JADE Promotions says child stars have to be able to balance between school and their careers.

"You have lots of children in the first world with serious summer jobs; it's just like that," she explained.

She feels it also gives student entertainers a chance to decide whether they really want to get involved with entertainment full time.

"Still strong parental guidance should be there," she ended.

Karen Kennedy, principal of Bridgeport Comprehensive, said that she would be reluctant to condone music from minors that is not gospel related.

"Some of the venues and some of the lyrics might be harmful or incite violence," she said.

She further said that she would not agree with anyone committing themselves to music while still in school, "for even with the best of them the balancing act can be difficult".

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