ADAMSTyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
GOSPEL DIVA Yolanda Adams believes that Jamaican gospel music is next in line for its blessing. The beautiful songbird, who is armed with an equally amazing voice, is of the opinion that our native gospel acts are set to light up the Billboard charts.
"I think Jamaican gospel music is headed to the top of the charts. Reggae and the other music that comes from Jamaica is hot in the (United) States. I guess gospel music is next," noted the accomplished Adams.
The Sunday Gleaner caught up with her when she was in Jamaica recently for '3 The Lord's Way', the Jamaican leg of the Hopeville Tour.
The singer, who has been recording music for more than 12 years and has released about 10 albums to date, shifted her attention from the music produced locally to the location.
"This is one of God's special places," was the sentiment of Grammy award-winning gospel artiste, as she spoke of the land of wood and water - Jamaica. The respect for the Jamaican people continually poured like rain from the wells of the songbird's heart when The Sunday Gleaner spoke with her backstage at the '3 The Lord's Way' concert on Saturday night at Kings House.
The show marked Yolanda's first visit to the island as a performer and she was loving it. "I believe they (audience) came to praise God and it makes it easier for the artiste, as you don't have to pump the audience," reasoned Adams, with a smile that outshone the bright lights at the venue.
The negative image of our people and society, which has been constantly portrayed overseas, may scare some visitors to the island - but not Ms. Adams. The gospel diva's perception of Jamaicans was not in the least affected by what any news broadcast or word of mouth had to say.
"I don't ever like to make preconceived judgements of people, as I don't like people to do that to me," she said. She continued, "If you let people tell you something about a place before you go there, you might miss out on some genuine people that you might meet. Especially as Christians, we have to be open."
When asked if she was planning on returning to the island, she gave an emphatic "Oh yeah", as she cited that whenever she visits Jamaica the warmth of the people is overwhelming. "They are so giving, they make you want to sing more and more and want to come back .... the people are so wonderful," reasoned Ms. Adams.
In addition the seasoned Adams, who released her first album, Just As I Am, in 1988 with Sound of Gospel Records, was very pleased with the local production crew for '3 The Lord's way' as she highlighted that they did a very good job.
