(From left) Clyde McKenzie, Nadine Sutherland, Denise Hunt and Anthony Miller are all set for the 2007 season of Digicel Rising Stars. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

The 2007 season of Digicel Rising Stars was launched at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Wednesday night, with the announcement of this year's prizes, which include a milliondollars cash, as well as singles produced by Greensleeves Records.

To commence the night's programme, the audience was taken down the 'Rising Stars Memory Lane', where they saw mostly humorous clips of last year's show. Then Mike Hogan, the show's executive producer, gave a not-so-brief overview of the show - its beginnings, its constant growth across the Pan-Caribbean region, the growth in viewership and other information.

Then, to lighten things up a bit, some personnel from FAME FM programme, 'Full House Friday', along with others from the Dance Theatre Xpressions, did a musical piece about the competition - the prizes and other reasons to enter. Those from the 'Full House Friday' crew were Volier Johnson, Christopher 'Johnny' Daley and Elva.

Evoked laughs

While singing their comical song, they attempted to get some audience members involved, including Christopher Martin, the 2005 winner. Elva handed him the script, saying, "Read dat and sing it." An unwilling Chris, only looked at the paper and grinned. "Di bwoy cyan read so good," said Elva, which evoked laughs from the audience.

After the mock-performance, last year's runner-up, Nickiesha Barnes, sang Lauryn Hill's Ex-Factor and reminded the audience of why it was so difficult to choose between her and winners, One Third.

Paula Pinnock-McLeod, Digicel's product manager, thanked the sponsors, viewers and future contestants for helping to make the show a success.

To close the evening, One Third hit the stage with a surprise of their own - literally. They mesmerised the audience with their usually perfect moves and new songs, including, Candlelight.

To introduce the song, group member, Al, said, "I am from the ghetto and whenever any of my bredrin drop out we light candle pon the street side. Yuh fi only light candle pon birthday or romantic dinner or something." After this they launched into the song, with the chorus "we nuh wha haffi light no candle pon di corner/ a life we a deal wid on yah."

Prizes

Volier Johnson (left) and Christopher 'Johnny' Daley (centre), along with the women of Dance Theatre Xpressions, help to get the 2007 season of Digicel Rising Stars off to a start.

A video for one of this year's winner's songs will be released. Additionally, the winner will get $100, 000 call credit from Digicel. The first runner-up will receive $600,000 and will have one single produced and distributed by Greensleeves, plus $75,000 call credit from Digicel. The second runner-up will receive $400,000 cash prize, one single produced and distributed by Greensleeves and $50,000 call credit from Digicel.

Auditions for season four of Digicel Rising Stars begin on Saturday, April 21, in Ocho Rios at Island Village. On Saturday, April 28, it is off to Mandeville at the Fayors Entertainment Complex, then on Saturday May 5, Port Antonio is the town and the , Neville Antonio Park the spot.

On Saturday, May 12, Montego Bay will have its turn at Pier One and the auditions finish, on Sunday, May 19, in Kingston at the National Stadium.