THE Holy Spirit and musical energy boosted by the On the Shout Band on Sunday night at the Ranny Williams Entertainment centre surely opened the flood gates of heaven. The Grace Tropical Rhythms Jamaica Gospel Song Competition 2010 finals, under the theme ‘One Voice, One Heart’ showcased the talent of 10 incredible musical ministers from across the island.

The atmosphere had people forgetting that this was a competition, due to the strong spiritual energy that was present at the event.

However, Ann Marie Laing from St Elizabeth won with the original entry produced by Asley ‘Grub’ Cooper, I Can Trust God.

“Oh God! I am so ecstatic by this… words just can’t express the feelings that are overtaking me right now,” she told TEENage. After winning other sectional prizes such as Best Performer, Best Arranged Song, and the Spirit of Praise award, she told TEENage that she was filled with confidence.

She went home with the wining prizes valued at over $1,000,000. This includes the JCDC trophy, a cash prize of $500,000 courtesy of Grace Tropical Rhythms, and a cellular phone courtesy of Claro, among other prizes from the event sponsors.

This prestigious event has become one of the biggest of its kind in Jamaica and is known for the competitor’s high quality: many like Noreta Lewis, Glacia Robinson, Kerron Ennis, and Kevin Downsell have moved on to become professional ministers of the gospel. Other highlights of the night included a performance by Ryan Mark.

Strangely, this was not like Ryan Mark’s other performances. As a result, it had several of the night patrons wondering what was going on. Ryan gave us a performance not based on hype, but one lead by the Holy Spirit. He ministered mostly new hits like Never Turning Back and Naah Give Up along with old hits like God Have Mi Back and Right with You.

After a very competitive segment of the entrants performing their original pieces, we were all treated to a power-packed hand-clapping, body rocking performance by evangelist Sandra Brooks. She definitely gave us a performance filled with words of encouragement and upliftment with songs like Down on My Knees and Did You Stop to Pray among other favourites. Last year’s winner Gamel Grant and Psalm International Ministries also gave thrilling performances.

Other winners of the night included second-runner-up 19-year-old Tiffany Hall with the song Lost Without You, produced by Courick Clarke. She went home with $100,000, a trophy courtesy of Grace Tropical Rhythms, and a gift certificate courtesy of Healing Rain Beauty Spa.

Hall commented that this placement is just a testament to God’s faithfulness and that she hopes to put out more singles and albums in the future. Second-place went to the man who also took home the award for best performer, lyrics, and arranged song, Leeroy Johnson, who goes by the stage name Ancient Priest, with the song My Prayer. He went home with a cash Prize of $200,000 and a JCDC trophy, among other enticing prizes from the night’s sponsors. The popular vote award went to Raylene Lindo with her piece I Just Cant Give Up.

None of the contestants went home empty handed, as they were all awarded JCDC medals and packages from Grace Tropical Rhythms, while producers were also given tokens. All in all, this competition was certainly one to remember.

— Chavon Panton