Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter
BAUGH - CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
POWERFUL IN voice but humble in demeanour, Rayon Baugh was born in Gordonwood, St. Catherine. He grew up in a stable Christian home and, though not forced, he was encouraged to attend church.
"I was born again (baptised) when I was just 10 ... I remember trying to do it earlier, but people kept saying I didn't understand Christianity, when I did," reminisced Baugh.
Rayon moved to Portmore and attended Johnathon Grant High, where he began to backslide. Rayon's music began to emerge, as began to write his own songs, but his faith in God was still strong and in Grade 9, the 13 year-old Rayon Baugh penned what would later become a gospel hit, Keep Your Feet On The Ground.
By grade 8 his talent had become common knowledge and his music teacher Victor Lynton began training him, encouraging Baugh to do popular secular music. He became part of the quartet Legende, which broke up when Rayon graduated.
In 1989 Rayon went to the Maritime Institute, where he got placed as a trainee cadet on a Dutch cruise line. This was the most trying time in his life, as most of the crew members treated him him with extreme racial and cultural prejudice.
"There were two trainees, myself and a Dutch trainee, and the Dutch captain would always call the other trainee and tutor him while he would send me to do manual work," lamented Baugh.
TRIBULATIONS
Throughout his tribulations he would sing Keep Your Feet On The Ground which would inspire him to endure the abuse. His dreams were cut short when, on returning from a day's leave in 1991, after he had visited his Jamaican doctor to treat an ear infection, he was told that the ship's captain had said he did not want Rayon to return to his ship and left the young cadet at the docks.
Rayon says that the experience badly affected his self-esteem but allowed him to get closer to his faith. Through prayer and hope, Rayon soon recovered and got a job in the Freezone.
He realised just how much hope his song had given him throughout his ordeal and felt the need to share this hope to others. In 1992 Rayon Baugh entered the Gospel Song Competition with Keep Your Feet On The Ground and placed in the top ten. Rayon was satisfied, however, that it might have been able to help someone.
He didn't realise the popularity Keep Your Feet On The Ground would garner though; and as other artistes and choirs began singing it, Rayon says fewer people believed that it was his song. "People were saying that my version was their favourite cover for the song, but they wouldn't believe that someone without a gospel career could have done that song," laughed Baugh.
Rayon eventually decided to focus on a career in gospel and after a many years of singing in churches and crusades released his first album Keep Your Feet On The Ground in 1999. The album was named after his hit song, in a move to reclaim it as his. The album produced a few hits, including the title track, and God Has Broken Your Chain.
He began touring, Philadelphia, Connecticut and Bronx in the United States and Cayman. While in the Bronx he placed second in the 2003 Caribbean Artiste Talent Search in the Contemporary Gospel group.
SOUGHT COUNCIL
"My altar is under a tambourine tree and I remember one day seeking council from the Lord under the tree, I was told to do another album. As I lacked the funds to do this I queried God's words, and he said again - 'go do the album'," stated Baugh. He soon made contact people who begun work on the album without money up front, including Dennis Rushton, Othneil Lewis, Donavon Palmer, Craig McDonald and a host of others.
"My music transcends hope. Once you believe in God and accept him as your saviour, he will deliver you from your trials," says Baugh.
Rayon Baugh's new album, The Journey, will be released on February 17, 2006. The album of original songs will include I Lift Up My Voice, and Signs Of The Times..
