Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Clarence 'Joseph', Scott has recorded four albums '(Waymaker', 'Going Home', 'Never Going To Let You Down' and 'Why Me?)' and has produced theme songs for the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists. - CONTRIBUTED
He never said it would be easy.
I Just Can't Give Up Now - Mary Mary.
THESE COULD have been the words that Clarence 'Joseph' Scott spent three years reflecting on, as he had to endure watching his wife battle with cancer. However, it was out of his moments of despair that he found the strength and vision to pursue his ministry.
"I got saved from 1996, but after three years of watching my wife battle with cancer I decided to start a ministry in 1999, where I sing and also teach from the word. We do it all around Jamaica and also overseas," Scott said.
And this year, he is a finalist in the Grace Tropical Rhythms Jamaica Gospel Competition with Watch And Pray, produced by Jon Williams
Scott has recorded four albums (Waymaker, Going Home, Never Going To Let You Down and Why Me?), and has produced theme songs for the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists. Among some of his more popular songs are I Am Included, He Knows and Struggling.
One of his songs, Transformed in Christ, was written for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States of America.
ANOTHER ALBUM
"Right now I have another album working on to be released by December and this album will be a kids' album, which will feature kids songs, so it will be Joseph Scott and the Kids in Praise," he said.
Clarence Scott has shared the stage with international recording artistes like Alvin Slaughter, Candy Staton, the Tallies and Accapella.
Born in Farm Heights, Montego Bay, Scott is a member of the Montego Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Scott says entering the gospel competition has given him some much-needed exposure and the publicity will assist him in getting his message across.
"The reason why I entered this year is because I have a message that I want the whole Jamaica to get and the best way to do it is through this medium where I could get the publicity. The message is to watch and pray, because the corruption, violence and hatred is creeping into the church and as Christians we need to watch and guard the avenues of our mind, so that we don't get caught up," he said.
This is the third time that Scott is entering the gospel competition. His last entry in 2003 made it only to the semi-final stage.
"I think my chances this year are very good and I see myself with the relevant song for the time to create the change in the hearts of people, and so I think I will win," he said.
SUPPORT
He says the support has been great so far. "It has been very good and for the show in Lucea this weekend, we are expecting great support from the church. And not only from the church, but many people who buy my music, who may not be members of my home church, they also will be coming down to support me because they like my song and the message," he said.
However, Scott says that persons should try not to get caught up in the hype and excitement of the competition, but seek out the messages that are being brought across.
"What I want to say to everybody who is listening to the songs is to ensure that the song can do something for their life. Don't just be caught up with the music, but ensure that you benefit from what the message of the song is saying. Listen carefully to the message," Scott said.
