By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Gospel group 'Fountain of Love': From left: Warren Robinson, Donald Bennett, Desmond Campbell (manager) and Richard Scott.
THERE IS a group of three talented singers who have something in common apart from their beautiful voices a special love for Christ.
Richard Scott, Donald Bennett and Warren Robinson are the three young men who comprise the group, 'Fountain of Love' and while each has his unique personality, they blend beautifully and harmoniously.
Donald, the group's baritone, described as humble, easy-to-deal with and jovial, attends the Refuge Temple Apostolic Church in Old Harbour Bay.
Warren describes himself as having a very friendly personality. The rest of the group members seem to agree wholeheartedly on this, as they scuffle among themselves as if to suggest that he is in fact a little too friendly. Warren attends the Rehoboth Apostolic Church in Portmore, St. Catherine.
Richard is described as a straightforward person who loves to sing with a passion. Group members, however, say that he also has a special passion for eating. "Yuh haffi feed him before him sing," they said. Richard attends the Apostolic Seventh-Day Church of God in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.
'Fountain of Love' started out as a one-man mission in March 2001 when Desmond Campbell, the group's manager, saw talent and potential in a fellow church member of his, Warren Robinson.
The group's expansion took place in the same year to accommodate some new members Craig McDonald, Clement Davis, Karl Brown and Randy Holget.
CREATIVE MOMENTUM
They entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) gospel festival competition with the original Stand Up for Jesus. Despite not making it in the finals, the group made use of their creative momentum and in 2002, they released their first album, Thank You For Saving Me. The album featured 14 tracks, including the popular I Will Not Turn Back, which was number two on the Love FM chart, as well as Idol.
Eventually, the group would shed some of its members and take on some new recruits, as Craig, Clement, Karl and Randy dropped out and Donald and Richard were added.
In 2003 the group again entered the JCDC gospel song competition, this time with better luck, as they finished in the top 10 that year.
Presently, they have a video out for Trust Me, the song that made the final 10.
Now the group is working on material for their second album, which will be named Spread Your Wings, but in the meantime they have also released two more singles Be With You and Mother, the latter of which features DJ Access.
According to group members, their music is for everyone. "We have music for all people, traditional or contemporary, uptempo or soothing," Warren said. The album has a mix of all genres, including reggae, R&B and hip hop, they all agreed. Mainstreet Music are their current distributors.
In a group of mixed personalities and ambitions, it can be difficult to stay motivated. However, Richard says you can not go wrong once your motivation comes from above. "For me, the most powerful motivation is God," he said.
For other members, however, their inspiration also comes from other groups and artistes in the business, like The Emmanuel Apostolics, The Peace Heralds and Fred Hammond.
As a matter of fact, Donald says these groups have touched his heart and he would like to extend similar courtesies. "My heart has been touched by them (ministers of the gospel) and I'd like to do the same for others who may be feeling discouraged or down," he explained.
The group's members agree that want to take their ministry to a higher level in Christ. As one member put it, "We want to reach an international level, taking our music in the highways and byways."
'Fountain of Love' performs with their regular backing band Heart 'n' Soul and both units are now looking forward to their next gig, which is on August 27 at Prayz House on Maxfield Avenue in St. Andrew.
