Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter
Rising Star finalist, Noddy Virtue.PHOTOS BY HERBERT MCKENIS
WESTERN BUREAU:
WESTERN JAMAICA'S contender for the 2005 Rising Star title, Noddy Virtue, has managed to remain grounded despite being catapulted into stardom from his participation in the popular competition.
The 28-year-old Libran of Comma Pen, St. Elizabeth, maintains that he is the "same humble and godly child he has always been".
"I only change within the music but I am the same person ... giving thanks for life, that's Noddy," he told The Gleaner on Tuesday.
Prior to the televised talent show, Noddy lived a quiet rustic life, doing some farming as his means of earning a living. When he was not in the fields, he was belting out tunes in between hobbies, such as playing football with his friends.
"Me always seh, 'yout' yuh can sing and you a go bus' one day'," his cousin and friend, Texroy Nembhard commented. "To me, is only two persons can sing better than him right now, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley!"
His mother, Lavern Powell, was without words to convey her enthusiasm for her son's recent success.
"I'm feeling so good. I can't even find the words to explain," she said.
Who is Noddy Virtue?
He was born on October 19, 1976 to Lavern Powell and Hayden Virtue.
Noddy is the sixth child, and the only boy in a family comprising seven sisters.
EDUCATION
He would later attend the New Forest All-Age School before moving on to Manchester High School. According to Ms. Powell, her son has been singing from a tender age.
"My life is about music. Every muscle, every vein, every beat of my heart is about music," explained Noddy, who is the father of a three-year-old son, Janeil.
His mother nodded.
"If him a sleep or eat, him a sing," she said, erupting into laughter. "Him take all 10 hours fi bathe, sake a singing. Sometimes mi affi seh, 'bwoy yuh caan stop sing?'"
She boasted that Noddy couldn't stop singing even if he wanted, as both his maternal and paternal grandparents were very gifted musically. His father is an excellent crooner himself.
"That's why me have a great voice," Noddy interjected. "I'm glad I was born into music because only it can bring thousands and thousands of people together. I'm asking the Jamaican people and the artistes not to disrespect the music because it is a powerful tool."
Taking first place at the Rising Stars final, scheduled for Friday at the TVJ studio, would not only be a fitting pre-birthday gift but generate hope for young singers.
"If I win this competition, my plan is to take music to a higher level so that I can help younger talents who want to make it," he stressed. "I see where Jamaica needs more music with soul. I would also love to do collaborations with some high artistes like Beres Hammond and Lucky Dube from Africa."
