By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
Gordon: I think I love both (songwriting and performing) equally, because they both give me the same joy and I find the same pleasure in both of them. - File
TEACHER BY day at Clarendon College. Singer slash songwriter by night. He is George Gordon - the 14th child for his late father, Lester Gordon, and the 12th offspring to his mother, Daphne Gordon.
It is evident that the elder Gordon is a rather busy man. However, George does not plan to epitomise the proverbial premise 'Like father like son'. "Certainly not," he said with a chuckle. "I love children very much, but I have a different view of life... I don't think I can do that in this day and age. My intention is to father two."
Gordon, who has been married for five years, rose to fame with his signature ballad, I Long For Great Peace a song that still brings tears to the eyes of some listeners which copped the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Gospel contest crown in 1999. Before coming out on top, George placed third the previous year with another self-penned effort, I Am That I Am.
MASSIVE HITS FOR OTHERS
Yet, George has done so much more. Although he is yet to deliver another massive hit for himself, he has managed create some for several others. The Chapleton, Clarendon native is the composer of songs such as Come Down Jesus by Shane Wright, who finished second to none at the 2002 staging of the JCDC Gospel contest. He also owns songwriting credits on I'll Give My Heart, sung by Jodi-Ann Pantry, who finished second in the same contest. In that same year Calvary, penned by Gordon and performed by Racquel Osbourne and Ryan Daley, finished behind Jodi-Ann's entry to take home the third-place slot. George highlighted that the song made popular by young Pantry, which many say should have walked away with top honours, was penned when he was 17 years old. It is evident that Gordon, whose choice dish is rice and peas and any serving of fish, is multi-faceted. He has displayed prowess both in performing and the penning of songs. However, which does he prefer?
HIS TWO LOVES
"I think I love both equally, because they both give me the same joy and I find the same pleasure in both of them," reasoned Gordon.
George, who is a member of the Chapelton Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Clarendon, said that both talents are not jostling for first position on the contrary, they fit as comfortably as a Persian rug on a hardwood floor.
"Writing is the groundwork, but performing is bringing it across to the masses. Having a message is one thing, but putting it across is most important," Gordon said.
While having difficulties saying which of the two tasks he loves more, George had no qualms in telling The Gleaner which one he was better at. "I think I am a better writer (than a performer). I think I am learning to be a better performer; it is something that is being developed," he said.
The talented songwriter said that he gets his inspiration to write from personal experiences, as well as the experiences of others. Gordon, 30, who has been saved for 21 years, completed his debut album in June of this year. It is slated for release on September 27.
The album is simply but profoundly entitled God Can. According to George, the album named itself. In explaining, he revealed to The Gleaner some of the many heartaches he endured in attempting to complete the set. He said many potential sponsors promised to lend a helping hand, but it turned out that those were only comforting words and nothing more.
The unfulfilled pledges threatened to stall the completion of the album, as well as throw fiery darts at his faith. It was then George Gordon realised that only God can do what others have failed to do.
He did.
