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    Festival Song Finalists 2008
Biographies
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  STACIA DAVIDSON

Song: Love Jamaica

Stacia
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A creative spirit… is how Stacia Davidson describes herself. As a young girl writing songs, singing in the church choir and performing at pantomime, she developed a love affair with the performing arts and in 2000 won the National Youth for Christ Songwriting Competition.

Daughter of a musical family, she graduated from Campion College and went on to complete a degree in Political Science at the University of the West Indies. While there, her creative spirit would be recognized across the campus, as she became known not only for her singing and songwriting, but also her sense of style. Now CEO of Yadd Trendz, a clothing line nominated in the Youth View Awards as favourite clothing line for 2008, this creative spirit has big dreams of one day becoming an International Fashion Designer.

  CC BLAKE

Song: Love A Little Island Ya
CC Blake
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Collebert Collinton Blake or CC Blake for short grew up in Holly Hill, Darliston, and Westmoreland. He attended the Holly Hill Primary and at the age of twelve, moved on the Petersfield High School in the same parish. Currently the manager of the local non-profit music television station, ‘Rescue Music Ministries’ (RSQ) he has been involved in music for as long as he can remember.

Blake began singing professionally when was saved in 1992 and currently has an original gospel album, entitled ‘THE CROSS’. He entered the JCDC Original Gospel Song Competition in 2007, where he made it to the semi-finals with the song ‘Christian Must Pray’.

Blake’s song-writing career began at about age fifteen and he also plays the guitar and the keyboard. He says music is his passion and wants to take his music career internationally.

  WINSTON HUSSEY

Song: Take Back Jamaice
Winston Hussey
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Winston Bell or ‘Winston Hussey’ as he is known on stage hails from Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine. He started sing in the 1979 at the age of twenty eight years old. He has performed along with the likes of Jungo Lawes, George Pan and Leggo Bease. Currently working with Lloyd Grant, Hussey made a hit song in 1985 entitled ‘Face look good’. In 1993 he immigrated to the United States but returned in 2005. He is currently promoting his entry son “Take Back Jamaica” along with another song called “Gun Madness’, both made with producer and manager Lloyd Grant.
  CHRIS CHRISTY

Song: Jamrock Land of the King
Chris Christy
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The journey of “Chris” or Christopher Christie began at an early age when he realized that he was musically gifted. His mother, an organist and church choir leader nurtured his early song writing and vocal abilities.

As a teenager, he won multiple gold medals in the JCDC Music Festival and in 1999 wrote and performed “Thank You” in the JCDC Original Gospel Competition. As former lead singer of the group Soul 4 Soul, Christy perfected his sound as a singer / performer performing for seven (7) years in the north coast hotel circuits.

His debut gospel album “Love” which is currently released on MVB Records in New York, and shows the world his evolution as a musician. A Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Musician, Engineer; Cris Christy says he is the complete package.

As a past student of Mannings School, he now works in the field of Software Engineering.

  CALVIN McFARLANE

Song: Jamaica Nuff Niceness
Calvin McFarlane
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Calvin R. McFarlane was born in Somerton, St. James as is the third of six (6) children. Though he now resides in Kingston, he spent his early years living in Montego Bay. As a youngster he followed his mother to a choir rehearsal, where it was discovered by the choir director that he could sing and from there developed a love for singing.

A Pastry Chef by profession, he also plays the clarinet and saxophone in his spare time. A lover of board games and basketball, Calvin also has been writing songs and the past fourteen (14) years. He believes that being apart of this competition will enable him to fulfill his dreams of becoming a successful singer and recording artiste.

  NATHAN

Song: The Vibes
Nathan
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Conroy Willis grew up in Top Hill, St. Catherine. Nathan as he is known to everyone in his community, started singing in church from a tender age, already knowing his aim was to be a professional singer in the future. At his former school, Charlemont High, he joined the C.Mont Band as lead singer and one of the original members, where under the management of then new music teacher and founder of the band, Mr. Nigel Powell, he represented the school all around Jamaica and at National School Festivals; winning countless medals and trophies.

Nathan went on the study music as a voice major at the Edna Manley College. There he was recognized by his peers as "the Littleman with the big voice." He is also loved for his passion and fantastic writing skills. Presently working with some of his peers and also veteran producer "Bobby Digital", writing and producing inspirational, fun and uplifting music. Nathan is very focus on reaching the world at large with his music as he is positively sure he has something great to contribute to the universe.

  OBA SIMBA

Song: Feel The Pressure
Oba Simba
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Oba Simba says he represents perfectly the new conscious Reggae Roots Music straight from Jamaica. A guest at MIDEM Music Conference 2007 in France, Oba Simba created a big impact, sharing stage while sharing stage with the likes of Shaggy, Etana, Tessanne Chin, Daville and others. He has also appeared on several releases including ‘Cellblock Link Up Vol. 1” and “A Timeless Vibration”.

His biggest personal challenge when after returning from MIDEM was left with a permanent injury to his left foot after a boating accident. This took him off the musical scene for more than a year and although left with a permanent injury to his left foot .Oba is now returning even stronger musically and spiritually and is a true definition of resilience and determination.

He was born in December 1971 at Heartease in the parish of St. Thomas but grew up in Allan Town in Central Kingston. He attended Trench Town High School where he started answering his musical calling, giving hair raising performances and has never looked back since.

  TINGA STEART

Song: Make The Best of Today
Tinga Stewart
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Tinga or Neville Stewart’s musical career began in 1969 with the making of his first recording “She Is Gone”, a duet with Ernest Wilson of the Clarendonians. He was the lead vocalist for a group called the “Wildcats” and performed at some of the leading nights spots in Kingston. Teaming with the likes of the “Fab Five” band and “Byron Lee & Dragonaires”, he tirelessly entertained in schools and other functions.

In 1971 he joined the “Borris Gardner Happening Band” as the lead vocalist and toured the island and other Caribbean countries, mainly in the hotel and tourism circuits. In 1073 he went solo again and immediately scored his second hit “Funny Feeling”. His success continued in 1974 when he won the Festival Song competition in 1974 with the song “Play The Music”. He also wrote the following year’s winning Festival Song “Hooray Festival”, sung by his brother Roman Stewart. In 1981, he was voted the most popular artiste in Jamaica and sang “Nuh Weh Nuh Betta Dan Yard”, which catapulted him into the international spotlight.

He has performed all over the world and has received numerous awards including a “Lifetime Achievement Award”. He his current album titled “Ready to Grove” was released in 2004 and tracks from that album are still on the worldwide charts. Tinga feels that his longevity and reputation of talent and professionalism will continue to take reggae music to higher international heights.

Click here to view lyrics

  LESTER LEWIS & SINGING ROSE

Song: Love You Jamaica
Lester Lewis & Singing Rose
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Known as the “Pioneer of Sanctified Reggae and the King of Gospel Reggae, this multi talented singer and worship leader, Lester Lewis and His wife Rose, have touched the lives of many worldwide through the word of God. The two along with the ‘Dominion’ Band, have travelled to more than 30 nations, ministering at concerts, crusades and doing outreach work.

Hailing from the parish of Manchester, Lester admits that is former life before Christ was marred with many wrongdoings. His wife Rose however accepted Christ from a very tender age and has instrumental in Lester’s Christian walk and together they started the Lester Lewis & Singing Rose Ministries.

The song “Winner Man” was written and composed by Lester Lewis and has been covered by many artistes including Ron Kenoly. In 1988, Lewis & Singing Rose entered and the Jamaica Gospel Competition with the song “Every Time I Read My Bible”. The pair is joined by their son, Lestrado for the Festival Song Competition.

  JACQUELINE PENNANT

Song: Persistent
Jacqueline Pennant
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Jacqueline Pennant aka Pretty Rebel was born in Alverline, St. Ann. She started singing at a tender age from childhood and was featured on the Colgate Cavity Fighters Show. Currently she sings cabaret, at the Roots Bamboo Club, the Yacht club and the “the Bus” in Negril, Jamaica. She has also performed on major shows including Sting, Junior Reid’s Birthday Bash, Spring Break and other others.

Jacqueline resides in the Fletcher’s Land community and Choesion Band and has also releases her first single entitled “What a Gwaan” on the T.M.I Label. She currently writes and composes her own material and says she has several songs in the pipeline.


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