Faith Talent competition kicks off in April

The long-awaited Faith Talent Search competition, the brainchild of evangelist Carlene Wilson of Growing Faith Ministries, airs on CVM television on Sunday, April 18, at 9 p.m., with the results shows on Saturdays at 10:05 p.m.

This exciting reality programme is geared towards persons between the ages of 16 to 40 who have a gift for gospel music. All 14 parishes will be represented in five zones: Mandeville, Montego Bay, Portland, Ocho Rios and Kingston.

"I wanted to create an opportunity for persons of faith to have an avenue to promote their talents while celebrating God," said Wilson. "There is such a struggle for Christian artistes in Jamaica, and I find that they either give up on their talent or compromise their faith. It was important to me, especially as a singer and producer myself, to give back to my Jamaican people."

This she does with a stellar team of first-class professionals who have come together to lend their talents to this budding programme.

Leading production

Formerly of the Oprah Winfrey Show and Essence: The Television Program, Emmy Award-winning producer Angela Thame, who is the force behind other local productions such as Our Voices, b-Mobile Singles and The Jamaican Barber Shop, is spearheading the production. Dannie Brownie, CEO of Main Street Music and co-founder of Caribbean Gospel Inc who is credited for his contribution to bringing to prominence, gospel artistes such as Prodigal Son, Goddy Goddy, DJ Nicholas, Chevelle Franklyn and many others, will sit on the judges' panel along with Crissy D, who returns to the spotlight after a long break.

Jon Williams, CEO of Almond Productions Limited and a proven maestro in the classical, jazz and gospel arenas, is on board as musical director. Rishille Pelicie, an educator in both voice and acting and who also works closely with the participants of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Arts Festival and Song competitions, will be the official voice coach. Claudius England of RedTones Productions will provide marketing and sponsorship expertise. Gospel darling and singer extraordinaire Teena Tamara will host the Grace Room, while media personality and actress, Maliaka Bryce, will be the host.

Faith Talent Search is a six-month project which culminates in a 13-week televised talent programme. A series of five audition road shows will take place from March 31 to May 1, after which the on-air segment of the project will begin. Broadcasting will begin with these pre-recorded auditions on Sunday, May 2, and the highly anticipated series of in-studio programmes will commence on Sunday, June 6, and will continue for eight Sundays thereafter, with the results shows airing the following Saturday. The project will climax with an awards show and selection of the winner on Saturday, July 31. A post-production concert will officially end the season.