By Nordia Henry, Staff Reporter
Hammond relaxes at his Jacks Hill, St. Andrew residence.
- Jeffrey Marshall/Freelance Photographer
HE'S NOT a social animal like some entertainers, but rather friendly and down-to-earth and admits that he's a shy 'one-a-way' person. His songs are known to set any dance hall ablaze where they are played. Popular entertainer, Beres Hammond takes time out to tell the Flair what he would grab in the event of a fire.
Born on August 28, 1953, in Annotto Bay, St Mary , Hammond recalls fond memories. "Mi eat breadfruit and whole heap a ackee and saltfish. I went to one school Annotto Bay Primary after that I entered the school of life, graduated and am still doing some extra lessons."
From a tender age, Hammond developed a keen interest in music and got his first 'buss' when he entered the Merritone Amateur Talent show in 1973. However, his musical career really began when he recorded 'Wanderer', his first song at the age of 12.
Hammond writes 90 per cent of his lyrics which are inspired by real life experiences, but attributes his successes to his premier producer Willy Lindo, who helped hone his musical skills.
In order to strike a balance, Hammond sets no specific time for family or his career - he just goes with the flow of things.
"I just came and all these things just came into being, mi just gwaan live but I have never stopped to think if I had given this child enough of my time or this thing in my career enough time. The whole thing is just a flow and I see my children as music, they are good children and I do whatever I can for them. My family understands that my job takes me on the road. They are aware that sometimes I will be here and other times, somewhere else."
The 50-year-old is the father of six children but boasts that no one can beat him in "ludi and dominoes" which he plays for relaxation. "Mi have it man, mi have dem thing deh lock."
WHAT HE WOULD GRAB
Beres Hammond said his passport... I hate restriction. If I want to go somewhere, I hate to know that I'm not able to do so because I don't have the required documents. I love to move when I feel like; I want to move because most of my serious work takes me abroad, I may have to leave at any moment.
