Entertainment

Stars rise in Portland rain

By TEINO EVANS, Staff Reporter

THE COLD GREETINGS of heavy showers and muddy grounds did not deter some very eager and determined Portlanders from turning out to the first audition of the 2005 season of Rising Stars.

The open audition which took place at the Neville Antonio Amphitheatre (located beside the Marina) in Port Antonio, saw dozens of hopeful prospects turning out to have a go at becoming Jamaica's next Rising Star.

One could say that of the more than 200 contestants that registered and performed throughout the day, the judges were in for some very interesting showing.

Interesting personalities

Burchell Grant, a blind man, was led to the stage by a young girl (not more than 12 years old) and gave a very powerful cover of Luciano's Jah Give Me Strength.

"Singing is my career, and even though I have other professions, singing is what I like to do the most," Grant said.

Grant, who is from the parish of Portland, says knowing that last year's winner, Cavan is also from Portland, gave him additional confidence.

"It gives me bigger heart to enter and I am hoping that 2004 and 2005 will go to Portland," he said.

Another interesting character that turned out to audition was Lorenzo McLeggan, a paralyzed man in his wheelchair.

Without sparing much time for conversation, a confident Lorenzo firmly stated that his song was entitled Trouble Nuh Set Like Rain.

Then there were those who felt compelled to write and enter songs about Digicel, apparently thinking that this would better their chances of being selected to move on to the next round. However, they were to be sourly disappointed, as out of the three contestants who dared to sing such songs, only one actually got the nod from the judges to move on.

'Singing Chow' was one One 'Digicel songwriter', who got turned down.

"The reason why mi sing 'Digicel' is because they are one of the major sponsors and mi feel seh it woulda help mi get through. Plus, a di original phone company dat weh everybody like...it a di name brand," he said. "Well, it never workout, but mi wi still try mi luck again," he added.

More confident

An unsuccessful Martin Campbell was unable to make a favourable impression upon the judges, but what was outstanding about Campbell, was the fact that he might have been the eldest person to have auditioned that day.

Campbell, who said he was 59, explained that it was really his love for music that led him to audition, as before now, he hadn't had any real opportunity to showcase his talent.

"I always love music from I was growing up, but the opportunities that I've had were not very tangible, but now that I am singing with a band, I feel much more confident of my chances," he said. However, despite not being selected to move on to the next phase, Campbell says if he has the money, he will try again when the Rising Stars auditions are held in other parishes.

Rounding up the list of some of the day's most interesting characters to take the stage was Mickey the peanut man.

Clad in his windbreaker and 'lengths' pants, and armed with his bundle of peanuts under his arm, Mickey took the stage and did an original song about peanuts.

Persons in the audience could not figure out for sure if this man actually came to perform or to sell peanuts but Mickey cleared this up after his brief performance on stage.

"Yow, a nuts wi a sell from ancient times and from ancient times wi a sing," he said.

Mickey says he actually didn't plan to enter the auditions, but said he just felt a vibes to do something.

"Mi jus a pass tru and si what a gwaan and decide fi do a ting. Yuh si tru mi a entertainer, a nuff tune mi have an can mek. A singing mek mi sell mi first peanut suh mi jus decide fi do a ting pon dat," he explained.