'We Need' tops Gospel Song Competition

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

With red and tearful eyes 20-year-old Jerome Smith on Sunday was named winner of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition held at the National Arena.

He collected a $500,000 cheque from Grace Tropical Rhythms, a recording contract from Destiny Records and the JCDC Trophy among other prizes as his song We Need topped a quality collection of gospel songs that were in contention.

Second place went to Jerome Welch's In the Heat of Battle, while third place was awarded to Home At Last by the musical trio, The Servants. However, all the acts were outstanding and contributed to what turned out to be a wonderful experience even for those who fell short of their objectives.

Smith, a former student of Jamaica College, also dominated the sectional prizes winning $50,000 for being the Best Performer and an additional $50,000 for having the Best Lyrics. He also won the sectional prize for Best Arranged Song. The Viewers' Choice Award went to Shakera Grant, a 20-year-old student of the University of the West Indies, for her song I am Renewed, while the deeply spiritual Rosecia Foster walked away with the Spirit of Praise award and $10,000.

Overwhelmed

Smith, who was still overwhelmed with emotion while speaking with The Gleaner, said he felt truly blessed to have emerged the winner from such a quality field of performers and songs. "To see how God is favouring me. You know the testimony, the things that I have been through and I am being favoured now, it's overwhelming," he confessed.

He said the song was written on the day when the contestants were being auditioned because his original entry was deemed ineligible because it was already being played on radio. "I went through a little situation and the song just poured out, I just started to write." Still fighting for control over his emotions, he said he feels God is using him.

After he had collected his prizes and gave an encore performance of his winning song, which had sections of the crowd dancing and waving their arms in praise, Smith was engulfed by his fellow contestants receiving hugs and well wishes. They seemed not to care too much about the material gains the night offered but about the opportunity for fellowship.

On a night when the audience was as much a part of the event as any of the performers, spirituality and praise and worship characterised the proceedings. Led by hosts Markland 'Action' Edwards and Basillia Barnaby, the audience danced, sang and worshipped. Edwards, standing out in a bright red jacket, dark vest, red shirt and dark pants, was particularly effective in engaging the large crowd with humour and surprisingly decent singing as he helped pass the time between segments.

However, it was the 2004 Gospel Song winner Lubert Levy who set the place afire. Coming on near the end of proceedings as the judges tabulated the final scores, Levy had everyone out of their seats singing along to his infectious songs.

They left their seats and danced in the aisles. The judges, too, for a while seemed to forget what they were there for, singing and praising right along with everyone else. Dressed in a shiny brown suit and vest, with lime green shirt, pink tie and pocket square, Levy commanded the stage and built the energy to unprecedented levels.

Even as sweat poured from his bald head, he never seemed to tire and kept the crowd going right along with him. He was even brought back for a brief encore just before the final results were announced.