Roy Rayon

The finalists in this year's Jamaica Festival Song Competition were feted at the post-show Luncheon and Awards ceremony last Friday at the Hilton Kingston hotel. Awards valued at $600,000 were presented to the finalists, courtesy of the CHASE Fund.

The awards were distributed as follows:

Monty Montgomery received the prize for being the 'Most Disciplined Finalist', valued at $50,000. He also collected an additional $25,000 as a songwriter's incentive.

Another $50,000 cash award was presented to the competition's sole female, Versatile (Nathalee Edwards), for being the 'Most Improved Finalist', in addition to the $25,000 songwriter's incentive.

The 'Special Songwriter's Award' of $100,000 was presented to Clevon Edwards, singer and songwriter of Likkle But Wi Tallawah.

The award for the 'Most Consistent and Outstanding Finalist' went to the performer of Country Life, Lynford McIntosh, who received $200,000. A special award was also given to his songwriter, Mr Dennis McKay, a.k.a Mackie Conscious, who received $100,000.

The prize for the 'Best Video' was presented to Gregory 'Asha' McHail, music video director, for his work on Country Life. He walked away with a $100,000 cash award.

Special awards of participation were also presented to the remaining finalists, Danny Brasko and Iya Simba, Michael Rutherford, The Astronauts and DJ Speng, who got awards of $25,000 each.

The 2008 winner, Roy Rayon, received the 'Producer's Prize' trophy on behalf of Trevor Bonnick and Grub Cooper, producers of his entry Rise and Shine.

Rayon also presented the 'Veteran Producer's Award' to Rodwell 'Blackbeard' Sinclair, producer of Banjo Man, performed by the Astronauts.

( L - R ) Versatile, McIntosh