Dawn Martin-McKane

Singing was always a dream for Dawn Martin. As a little girl growing up with music all around her, she would listen to her parents sing and play music on a guitar made of wood. Later, she entered the music fraternity with her brother and sisters to form the group, Martins Heritage.

Now known as Dawn Martin-McKane, she recently released her debut album, Count On You, which was co-produced by her husband, Mark McKane and Fitz Bennett. Her album was launched at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Braeton Parkway on March 15. The event was well supported with renditions coming from The Emmanuel Mass Choir, deejay St Mathew, singer C Sharp and saxophonist Errol Hird.

Decked out in green and black, Martin-McKane took the stage accompanied by her sisters and nephew, singing songs from the album, most of which were written by her. She did her favourite, I Belong To Thee, then rendered the familiar My Redeemer Lives. It was certainly a thrilling performance.

Other songs on Count On You -- which she says she has been working on since October 2000 -- includes He Can Be Found, Close To Home, the title song, The Glory Medley and Powered By The Holy Ghost, which features Fitzroy Blackman.

Martin-McKane entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's National Gospel Song Finals in 1998 and 1999 and went one step further when she shared the stage, at differing times, with big-name gospel acts like Kirk Franklyn, Skeeter Davis, Shirley Caesar, Papa San, Lt Stitchie, Grace Thrillers and Sandra Brooks.

She has travelled the island with Chevelle Franklyn for whom she does back-up vocals and was also a part of the recent Caribbean Music Expo (CME) in Ocho Rios.

Martin-McKane continues to minister with her siblings.

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