Mason: I began to write a couple (secular) songs, but it wasn't my purpose; it wasn't my calling. I just didn't feel comfortable doing it. - Contributed

Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Horace Mason was young and thought entering gospel music was an easy way to earn a quick buck.

His love for music, he thought, would have made his plight a lot easier. As time went by he found out he had to have a real love for the cause before his dreams could be realised.

"It definitely has to be love. It is now a joy for me to go on stage and watch the people be blessed," he said.

This love has caused him to look beyond all adversity he has faced. Mason said he has been rejected by some of gospel music's top producers and often felt discouraged. For a while, all he got were empty promises and eventual letdowns. It got so bad at one point that he more than contemplated becoming a secular artiste.

"I began to write a couple (secular) songs, but it wasn't my purpose; it wasn't my calling. I justdidn't feel comfortable doing it," Mason said.

His situation started to get better once he had an encounter with rising gospel song producer, Dale Virgo. Mason liked the direction Virgo was heading in and he wanted to go along for the ride. Looking back at his previous experiences with other producers, Mason said he understands producers cannot listen to and deliver on every request they get but, as people of God their approach was wrong.

Doing positive things

Now he is doing positive things. His single, Life Suh Rough, seems to be having the right impact on those who hear it. Still, there is only one gospel radio station in Jamaica and it is like a rat race to get a single into heavy rotation. But he said he is still growing and keeping the faith that the Lord will take him where he needs to be. Mason goes by the motto "Positively always look on the brighter side of life".

"Even if a lot of people don't like the melodies of my songs, the words will still get them. I am ready to take my music beyond Jamaica. It has no boundary, so I can't say just how far it will go," he said.

Mason is still growing as a Christian and as a gospel artiste. He is now more focused and has a word for other young people trying to make it in music.

"Humility is key in anything you do. Learn to listen more than you talk at times. Allow God to guide you and you can't go wrong," he said.