Carolyn Johnson, Freelance Writer

Left: Deejay Papa San in an energetic performance at the finals. Right: Garfield Reid gave a powerful rendition of his winning entry 'Signs of the Times' at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday. Reid is the winner of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission 2007 Jamaica Gospel Song contest. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

When all 10 finalists of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song competition lined up on stage Sunday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre, it was Garfield Reid who stood a little taller and richer than the others.

But though he modestly denies it, he probably had some hint of his win when he penned Signs of the Time, his winning entry in the competition.

"I expected any card to play. I can't believe, I'm just overwhelmed," he said after the show.

Still, winning the JCDC com-petition has been one of his longest dreams. Now, in the spotlight, his message to Jamaica is: "perilous times are here, we are in the last days."

He said it was the manifestation of this, especially in the crime and violence that have been plaguing society today, that was the inspiration for his entry.

Show stopper

But it did not take a light from heaven to see that Reid was indeed a likely contender for the $400,000 main prize his copping the Best Performer award (like last year's winner Clive Warren) hinted at the final outcome, his performances had spoken for themselves.

In the first round where all the finalists performed a song of choice, Reid sang God is Good. He had the crowd attesting to the fact as they moved from their seats jumping and waving as he conquered the stage. Reid moved onstage, commanding the crowd with his strong vocals as a veteran performer.

When he appeared the second time (of many), he was dressed in full white with a long staff. Bu this performance was just as spirited as the first, it is hard to decide whether the crowd was entranced by him or the expressive, agile dancer at the corner of the stage. Both worked well together.

But apart from Reid, the show stopper was the man with only four senses. Blind Courtney Cooke placed third with Gimme Pass but, for many, was a winner. The jovial fellow was a great dancer and a comedian. For his first performance, Cooke, who came onstage with his cane and wearing dark glasses said, "mek me tek off me glasses so me can see unnu likkle betta."

The crowd erupted in laughter. "I see unnu enjoying unnu self," he said when he entered for his final performance. Still, it was his dancing prowess, especially when he dropped his cane and got on bad, that the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

Second-place Antoinette Brad-shaw with Completely thoroughly ministered to the crowd. Her personal testimony, coupled with her amazing voice, lifted her performance from the ordinary. But in an evening when all finalists held their own, possessing remarkable talent and with a smooth well-planned show, very little could have been described as ordinary.