By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
Kevin Downswell
AFTER SEVERAL attempts, The Gleaner finally got through to Kevin Downswell - this year's Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Gospel Contest winner.
He blew away the competition with his original entry Praise. Downswell said his mobile phone rang without an answer because he was in class for most of the day. Despite his God-given talent, Downswell is a Bio-Chemistry student at the University of the West Indies. He has his sights set on becoming a paediatrician.
Kevin is also 'doctoring' a puerile career as a gospel artiste. Since he copped the JCDC's Gospel crown, his fame within the gospel fraternity and his demands have skyrocketed. He reveals that he has performed on about seven shows in October, about the same as in the previous month, and he has already been booked for four performances this month.
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
Additionally, Kevin is a member of the University Singers, and they did a tour this summer, which saw the ensemble performing on several neighbouring Caribbean islands.
However, his studies have began to demand a lot of his time so he has had to scale back his artistic side for the time being. "I have to cut it (performing) down a bit because this is a study period. "Exams begin early in December," Kevin says.
Still, he has been enjoying the ride since he became kingpin at the JCDC show. And, quite frankly, he is yearning for more - but only when the time is right. "I have been ministering all over the island," he reveals. "I have been to a few big publicised shows as well as small events, and all of them have been good."
In addition to the fame and the many performances that winning the JCDC competition has brought to his life, Kevin said it has also brought spiritual maturity along with it. "It impacted my spiritual life significantly. If I used to play I have to be on form now because you have to be spiritually focused and prepared for the shows," he explains.
The last time The Gleaner spoke with Kevin in August of this year, he promised that he was going to release a single three weeks after. Unfortunately, three weeks have come and gone and we are rapidly approaching three months and there still is no single. Kevin attributes this to unforeseen circumstances.
This time around, though, Kevin promises not one but two singles. This, he says, is a sure thing, as he was headed to the studio to add the finishing touches to the projects. The names of the singles are Give Me Grace and, Why I Came.
Kevin has also pledged that gospel enthusiasts would be treated to an album in January. That, too, has been delayed. His revised plans now call for the album to be released in March next year, April the latest.
In closing, Kevin made a request known. He craves the prayers of the people. "I depend on people praying for me and supporting me in prayer. It is really important," pleaded Kevin.
Indeed, it is.
