Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
CONTRIBUTED -
After he auditioned for the Olympics Dalton Spence, along with 30 other persons entering categories such as dance, drama, singing and modelling, was selected.
I tried everything but it couldn't subside. The hurt and pain that I feel inside. Till finally in desperation I check Dr. Jesus for an operation.
'Dr. Jesus', written by Dalton Spence
WHEN MUSIC teacher Dalton Spence first heard about the Music Olympics World Champions, held in Los Angeles, California, USA, earlier this year, he did not think he would have to endure so many trials before he could finally realise his dreams.
"I have always had a deep desire to represent my country and part of my determination for attending the World Championships was part of fulfilling that desire," Spence told The Gleaner.
Spence, who has been a music teacher at the Liberty Academy at Priory for seven years, is also a singer by profession.
In 2002 he entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song Competition with Doctor Jesus, but didn't make it into the top ten.
OPPORTUNITY
His friends, however, were confident that given the right stage, the song had the potential to do well. "My friends would tell me that the song would do better in an international arena and so I was searching for an opportunity to have it featured internationally," Spence said.
After he auditioned for the Olympics, Spence, along with 30 other persons entering categories such as dance, drama, singing and modelling, were selected.
The brunt of Spence's problems, however, did not come until after he was selected to represent Jamaica.
"It was after I was selected that the expenses hit me. The total amount to participate was US$2,800, covering plane fare, hotel accommodation, food and a part of the entry fee. I didn't have the first cent," Spence recalled.
Being the determined man he was, Spence allowed his faith in God to take over and embarked on an in-depth campaign to try and raise funds.
"Many persons thought that I was mad and said it was too costly just to in the end receive a medal," he said. But, according to Spence, this wasn't about to deter him from realising his dreams.
"I raised about US$1,500 in the form of sponsorships from NCB, Hawkeye Security Company, National Housing Trust (NHT) and Virginia Dare (a juice company in Kingston), but I still didn't have the full cost of the entry fee," he said.
ILL-LUCK
Spence says ill-luck followed, as his back-up singer had to back out one week before the competition due to circumstances beyond her control.
When he boarded the plane on Friday, August 6, headed for the competition, he was without a back-up singer and entry fee and a little worried, as he would be competing against people from around the world who had been rehearsing for months. "A lot of people at the competition started to label me as crazy," Spence recalled.
Then on Saturday, August 9, Spence says a competitor from Montego Bay, Lesline Kidd, heard his song, ("which I was playing on CD") and decided to assist him, taking a great risk as she would have very little time to learn a completely new song.
According to Spence, if their performance didn't impress the judges, then it could have a negative impact on her solo performance. Nevertheless, the two got together and Kidd was able to get the hang of the song in only two days.
"On Sunday, a church was having a special independence celebration for the Jamaicans in L.A. and they requested that some of the competitors come over and share their pieces.
"Three of us took up the offer and after my performance, I shared with one of the church members my dilemma (that of not having the full entry fee), and they immediately put together and gave me US$300," he said.
When Spence returned to his hotel, the organiser was able to lend him the rest of the money for his entry fee, "so I was able to get into the competition."
Spence made it through two intense rounds and eventually finished with a gold and silver medal. He received a gold medal in the category of Best Vocal Gospel Duet and a silver medal for Comical Variety Vocal. In addition, Spence says he also received an offer for future work with a Hollywood talent agency.
REWARDED
Spence, who has been a Christian for 12 years, has been guided by his faith and in the end, he was rewarded. "People were so impressed that I was able to raise the money and make it, that they came to me, asking me to pray for them to make it through the intense competition," he said.
"I felt really proud that I was able to represent my country so well. I have often watched television and seen the likes of Merlene Ottey and the Reggae Boyz do well and wished I could do the same," Spence recalled, but said he was never athletically inclined.
"Standing before these people from all around the world with the gold medal around my neck, with the Jamaican flag, it was a feeling that was unexplainable and it was worth all the struggle that I went through," Spence said. Musically, Spence says he looks forward to excelling at his God-given talent, singing professionally and being a good music teacher. "I want to continue to touch the lives of young people through music," he said.
