Ryan Davis. - CONTRIBUTED
THE FINAL show of the 2006 Jamaica Cultural Commission (JCDC) National Gospel Competition is only one month away and almost all of the contestants are beaming with confidence heading into the last hurrah at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston. Ryan Davis, a 20-year-old hospitality student, is also riding high in confidence.
"I think I have some talent and I need a vehicle to sell myself," he said.
A BIG FAN
He grew up watching the competition on television and has been a big fan over the years. He decided to enter the competition after his friend encouraged him to do so. "He was the one who actually showed me how to register for the competition," Davis said.
Teenagers who become Christians during holidays often have difficulty maintaining their Christianity when they get back to school, and so it was for Davis. He said he was surrounded by Christian friends when he first entered college, but the number dwindled as the semesters went by. He sees the effects of college on young people as cause for concern in Jamaican schools and especially at Moneague College in Moneague, St. Ann, where he is studying tourism and hospitality.
This predicament prompted him to write Testify. "You know, no matter what you're going through,you should always give God the glory. Things will get us down spiritually but we can always depend on him," he said.
While more and more young people are committing crimes, this lad wants to be one of those who can make a difference. Davis is not troubled by the other heavyweights in the contest but he is committed to doing his best at the July 30 final. "My lyrics really stand out and really have a good message," he said.
Davis and his family worship at the Church of God of Prophecy in Long Hill St. Catherine. He gets a lot of love and support from his seven siblings and his mother, who are almost always present at the road shows. "I want to thank them also. They are always there for me whenever they can be," he said.
A loss would not signal the end of Davis' quest to sing gospel music, as he is currently a member of the Musical Solutions Band. Davis has plans to make an album and said that the competition will make him more familiar with the music industry. A certain level of visibility comes with being the competition and he is also hoping that he will have fans after the show.
In the meantime, he performs at concerts, writes songs and plays cricket. He attended the Oberlin High School where he not only excelled in music and drama, but also in academics.
"I want people to see me as more than just a contestant. This is a good artiste and I would like people to continue listening to me," Davis said.
- A.J.
