And the gospel finalists are ...
published:
Sunday | July 31, 2005
THE NATIONAL show of the Grace Tropical Rhythms Jamaica Gospel Competition is at the Ranny Wiliams Entertainment Centre (beside Police Officers' Club), Hope Road, St. Andrew, today. The show starts at 6:00 p.m., but before you go - or even if you don't - The Sunday Gleaner introduces the finalists in this year's contest.
HORATIO HINDSHoratio Hinds says his musical career began in 1999, when he started singing in church. His talent has continued to grow and has inspired him to start writing his own songs, to reach the hearts and minds of people. Horatio was born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, and is a member of the Jones Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church. His entry is Use Me, produced by Paul Barclay.
ORALE JOHNSONOrale Johnson was already writing his own songs by age seven and at nine he was playing the piano and also an active member of the Villa Road All Age School Choir. In 2003 he was a gold medallist in the National Festival of the Performing Arts. Orale was born in Manchester and worships at the Cedar Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he has served as a youth choir director and pianist. His entry is Mercy, produced by Grub Cooper.
WINSTON BELLWinston 'Bello' Bell, more popularly known for his acting talent, has proven that he can be just as good as a songwriter, musician and singer. He recently released his debut album, Praying For You, for which he laid all the musical tracks and, along with his wife, Joy, did the entire vocal work. Winston Bell has been a recording artiste since 1976, while still in high school, but his acting got the better of his singing career after he was accepted for full-time classes at the then Jamaica School of Drama at the Cultural Training Centre, now the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. His entry is Be Still and Know, produced by Jon Williams.
JOYCELYN PEART-LAWSONJoycelyn Peart-Lawson began singing at age five. Her music ministry has continued and in 2004, along with her husband, she launched the True Worshippers Ministry. She is actively involved in ministry at her church, where she serves as a member of the choir and praise and worship team. She has performed at crusades, conventions, weddings and funerals. Her entry is Ram In the Thicket, produced by Dennis Rushton.
>ST. JAGO INSPIRATIONSThe St. Jago Inspirations comprises six persons who attended the St. Jago High School. The group conducts their music ministry through performances within their school and church audiences. Group members have been gold medalists in music in the annual National Festival of the Performing Arts. Their entry is Come Home My Child, produced by Dennis Rushton.
SASHOI HINDSSashoi Hinds started singing at four years old; 20 years later she is still carrying out her gospel ministry. Sashoi has been a medallist in music at the National Festival of the Performing Arts. Currently a member of the Praise Choir, she is founder and leader of the Hope Singers. Sashoi Henry's entry is Nothing Sweeter Than The Lord, produced by Jon Williams.
LEROY RICHARDSLeroy 'Songbird' Richards began his musical career in the 1980s. For many years his music ministry has inspired people wherever he has performed. His entry is Give Thanks, produced by Geoffrey Thomas.
KOMPLETENolan Brown and Abba Jones, along with Joel Brown, make up the group 'Komplete'. Their entry is Jesus Is The One, produced by Grub Cooper.
LEROY ANDERSON, ROWAN HAUGHTONLeroy 'Bunny' Anderson and Rowan 'Weeping Prophet' Haughton describe themselves as humble, but jovial and friendly. The duo's goal is to evangelise to the less fortunate, saturating Jamaica, the Caribbean and the western world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bunny was awarded the Jamaica Music Awards (JAMI) for Best Male Vocalist/Soloist and Best Gospel Recording 1995 & 1996. Their entry is No Greater Love, produced by Paul Barclay.