Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter
Lloyd Waite, 60-year-old electrician of Catherine Hall, Montego Bay performs 'Why do I Keep Fooling Myself' on day one of Digicel's Rising Stars Montego Bay auditions at Pier One in Montego Bay on Saturday April 8. - PHOTO BY NOEL THOMPSON
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE TALENT pieces varied, so too were the personalities at the Digicel Rising Stars Montego Bay auditions on Saturday.
The aspirants journeyed from as far as St. Thomas and St. Elizabeth to get their shot at stardom on the televised talent search show.
Interestingly, both old and young were at the trials, which was hosted at the Pier One waterfront venue.
Some hopefuls, including a Trelawny yam farmer and a Michael Jackson impersonator, were disappointed that they did not receive the coveted 'white strip of paper', that would allow them the opportunity to return to the second nail-biting phase on Sunday.
The second phase of the auditions featured judges Clyde McKenzie, Nadine Sutherland and Anthony Miller.
"I don't think it's fair for me not to get that piece of paper," said dejected Lloyd Waite, a 60-year-old electrician of Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.
Mr. Waite performed the song Why Do I Keep Fooling Myself much to the delight of onlookers who wondered if he should take a hint from the song.
For Rastafarian Fabian 'Gangungreh Nevadye' Stennett, there was a moment of bewilderment when he realized there would be no call back for him.
MOTIONLESS
He stood motionless for about a minute staring at singer Roy Rayon and music educator David Wedderburn before walking away.
However, Stennett who describes his style as 'deep poetry', is no newcomer to the entertainment circuit as he has already completed a promotional CD. Several pieces of his work have been rotated on local radio stations.
The resident of Tangle River in St. James said he would still pursue his dreams of becoming famous.
Popular Montego Bay personality and a true stalker of the Rising Star stage, Changa Changa was not to be left out. The three-year veteran this year omitted the mantra 'Changa Changa' from his delivery because the "judges dem no really like it".
This time he chanted 'No Gun Round Yah':
"No more gun I no want round yah,
Tek wey di gun from the tief and robber,
Tek 'wey di gun from the police and solja"
Never failing to be positive, Changa said after not clinching the 'white strip': "I man a survivor, so if the I no make it dis time, I will make it again," he said. "Is so the runnings stay, it round like a circle."
