Joel Wray tops them all
Published:Saturday | June 21, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer
RESIDENTS OF dozens of communities in St Ann affected by Noranda Bauxite company's mining operations each year get the chance to show off their talent in the annual Noranda Bauxite Community Council talent parade.
And so it was in May when the 2014 competition was launched at the company's Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay. After six thrilling weeks of competition, it was the young singer from Liberty Hill, Joel Wray, who was crowned winner after an outstanding performance at the finals last week Thursday.
Wray's combination of original lyrics and captivating dancing at each stage of the contest was enough to get the nod of judges Mark Brown, Marjorie McIntosh, and Maurice Bryson.
In the process, Wray topped 18 other contestants and walked away with the top prize of $75,000, much to the delight of the nearly 2,000-strong audience.
The Farm Town pair of Lamar Blake and Carl Blake finished second and third, respectively.
The prize for most improved contestant went to Claudette Ferrigan; the group One-Ten captured the best group and best outfit prizes; while Anthony Smith won for having the best original lyrics.
The weekly Thursday night series was coordinated by entertainment professional Seymour Green with the objective of encouraging and developing career talents and recreational opportunities in areas of western St Ann where Noranda operates.
Noranda's personnel manager, Nathan Thompson, was full of praise for the contestants and the effort they put into the competition.
"The performances have been of a high quality and have caught the attention of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commis-sion as well as private-sector sponsors," Thompson said.
Sponsors of the talent series included Noranda Bauxite; Jamaica National; Tank-Weld; Discovery Bay Premiere Supercentre; Total Supermarket; Right Choice Electronics; DAFA Wholesale; Taste the Tropics; Caribbean Style Seafood; and Dr Dayton Campbell, St Ann North West MP, who donated the third prize.