Who are the Claro Festival contestants?

The Gleaner continues to acquaint our readers with the contestants in the Claro Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Festival Song Competition. Have you met:

Singer: Papa Whyte

Song title: Zingy Zingy 2010

Papa Whyte was born in the parish of Clarendon but lived in Kingston for 40 years. An avid lover of music, he sang on his church choir for 16 years and in 1997 received a bronze medal in the Gospel Finals.

In the same year, Papa Whyte released an album entitled Victory by the Hebrew Brothers. He wrote and composed all the tracks.

In 1997, 2003 and 2009, he was a semi-finalist in the Popular Song Contest organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. In 2003 he was 15th.

Determined to make his mark on Jamaica, he re-entered the Festival Song competition with Zingy Zingy 2010.

Eric proudly explained that he is the father of the winner of 2001-2002 Popular Song Contestant Penicillin, saying that music runs in the family.

Papa Whyte also specialises in the art of stone cutting.

Vote for your favourite Festival song

The public may text or call 444-3270 to vote for their favourite Festival song.

The number assignments are as follows:

Di Land We Love by Nikki Dillon - text '1' to 444-3270

Welcome to Jamaica by Marvillus - text '2' to 444-3270

Jamaica deh deh by bello - text '3' to 444-3270

Zingy Zingy 2010 by Papa Whyte - text '4' to 444-3270

Island in the sun by Petrol - text '5' to 444-3270

Jamaica nice by Rock Irie - text '6' to 444-3270

My Jamaica by Kharuso— text '7' to 444-3270

Nuh weh nuh betta by Deru - text '8' to 444-3270

Reggae music by Mojahrock - text '9' to 444-3270

One heart by Amique & Nazzle Man - text '10' to 444-3270

Texts and calls cost $20. Service is provided by CLARO and is available on all networks.