Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Rising Stars winner for 2004, Cavan, performs at the media launch of Rising Stars 2005 series of shows, held at The Courtleigh auditorium (formerly the Island Life Centre), St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston on Tuesday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THE MACHINERY to ignite dreams of stardom is set to grind again with the launch of the 2005 edition of Rising Stars at the Courtleigh auditorium (the late lamented Island Cinema), on Tuesday night. Denise Hunt, who returns as the series presenter, hosted the event.
The first round of Rising Stars auditions will take place in Port Antonio, Portland on Saturday, April 16 where any Jamaican over age 16 (who is not already under a management or recording contract) can vie for a chance at $500,000 and an artiste development package from GeeJam Productions. The development package includes a recording contract with a guarantee of the production and release of a single within 90 days of the final.
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
Of course, in today's entertainment business, image is quite close to everything and so the package also includes a music video and photo shoot. The first runner-up will receive $300,000 and the third runner-up will get $200,000.
"I think the future of the record business is in corporate sponsorship and finding new ways of artiste development," said Jon Baker of GeeJam Productions, after dousing last year's four finalists with great praise.
Judges Anthony Miller (producer and presenter of Entertainment Report) and Nadine Sutherland (singer), from the inaugural staging, make the return trip. They are joined by Clyde McKenzie, director of Shocking Vibes. The public will be able to vote for the performer of their choice by either text (at $15 per vote) or call (at $25 per vote). Voting will end at 6:00 p.m. the Friday, following the Sunday airing of the show. The results will then be aired on TVJ at 9:00 p.m.
The launch event featured performances by last year's winner Cavan, who has signed with VP Records. Cavan, who had made it into the competitions as a judges' wild card delivered Pain at the beginning of the show and closed it with War.
REGIONAL COMPETITION
The show was developed by the Irish company Screentime Shinawil Productions Limited, with Mark Kenny as producer. Rising Stars executive producer Mike Hogan noted, however, that a key aspect of the project was skills transfer. As such, it is hoped that Maxine Stowe will eventually take over from Kenny.
Hogan also explained that in an attempt to keep himself busy he is attempting to work out the logistics of creating a Pan-Carib-bean Rising Stars final, featuring the winners from the five Carib-bean islands on which the competition is currently taking place.
The auditions will move through six parishes. Montego Bay is the second stop on the road, scheduled for April 23. The trek across the north coast then continues with auditions in Ocho Rios on April 30, before swerving inland when Mandeville gets its turn on May 7, then down to the south coast to Black River on May 14. The auditions culminate at the National Stadium on May 28. Airing of the audition shows will begin in June on TVJ.
The reservation of the National Stadium is a sign of the organisers' expectations of the public interest in the event. Last year, Rising Stars attracted 2,500 persons intent on getting their 15 minutes, or maybe even five minutes, of fame.
