The APS members are (front row) Louis 'Baby Blue' Delahaye (left), Mr. CMJ (centre) and Shadrock (right). In the back are Robert 'Big Bird' Facey (left) and Gifton Wright. - Contributed

Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Very often artistes make it to the top, but their fans do not know how they got there.

Gospel artistes, like any others, need a producer and sometimes a manager to take them through the rigours of the business. Roger Facey and his gang at Anointed Praise Station (APS) have been trying to provide that support for artistes with potential. Facey's twin brother, R. 'Blue Bird' Facey and Louis 'Baby Blue' Delahaye (producer) are also members of APS.

APS has been in operation for over three years, but is still struggling to find a footing among the other well established companies. Still, the battering and the bruising he and the company have endured thus far are not enough to dissuade the persistent Facey.

He first started out with a sound system with the same name. The reception was great and others began to encourage him to look into other aspects of the music. Soon he was mixing dub plates and building a studio was next on the agenda.

Vision

"God gave us the vision to start the studio and from there we went on to do a compilation which was well received overseas," Facey said. "We want to take over the music completely. And, not only that, we want to rock the country with salvation."

Lofty plans, but they are not going at the desired pace. "I won't even lie, it is a rough road to get support and unexpected things have been happening," he said.

Regardless, he is pressing on with the little support he gets from his pastor and the love of those who surround him daily. A part of his problem involves getting airplay for his artistes. More airplay will result in more exposure and, eventually, more money for his artistes. That is essential, since this is Facey's full-time gig.

For now, he has to rely on others using his facilities to survive.

Expand their reach

APS has worked with many gospel artistes over their three years in musical production with D.J. Nana, D.J. Nicholas, Freshstart, Mr. CMJ and St. Matthew among the number. Currently, APS has three stable artistes who Facey says are persons "with a bright future as upcoming artistes". They are D.J. Nana, Mr. CMJ and Shadrock.

To expand their reach, APS joined the Anointed Praise Ministry in Spanish Town under the leadership of Gifton Wright, the spiritual coordinator. This is a "vision to establish God's abiding presence to abide in us and the gospel community at large by doing missionary work in the community".

The company's functional recording studio is now at Bridgeport, Portmore, and is open for those who want to do the work of the Lord. Facey wants others to start looking out for him in coming years. Not only does he want his companyand artistes to be household names in Jamaica, but he wants to be known internationally. He also has plans to own his own television station, the equivalent of Hype or RE TV.