It seemed like it was thirty years in the making for this hardworking singer and songwriter, but as nothing great happens before the time, Delisser ‘Kharuso’ McFarlane’s time came on Friday July 30. After a fierce musical battle that unfolded on stage, at near midnight he was crowned the 2010 winner of the Festival Song Competition.

Kharuso copped not only the title and the best performer credit but won for himself a cool million dollars in cash courtesy of Claro and a brand new Nissan Tiida from Fidelity Motors.

For Kharuso it was an overwhelming experience that he is yet to recover from. “Boy I tell you that from Friday (July 30) I don’t get no sleep. It has been a whirlwind but I appreciate every last bit of it.”

Based on his burning desire to “buss big” for years he is indeed enjoying it. As both the singer and songwriter of the winning entry My Jamaica, he is a man driven to share his talent with everyone whose auditory nerves are in good working condition.

“My inspiration for this song came from God as it is he who gave me the lyrical content. My Jamaica came about as I listened to people continually degrade this country yet still I have travelled and nowhere nuh sweet like Jamaica. We have challenges yes, but all around the world people face challenges and problems. It is not reserved for Jamaicans alone. Some people value foreign land and foreign things over Jamaica, but I love this place as it is a God given country and all of us need to see what visitors and tourists see. When it is time for them to leave they weep as they recognise that Jamaica is paradise. No matter what the trouble and chaos Jamaica is still paradise.”

In addition to being a singer, Kharuso is also a prolific bass player. He is also a fisherman who every spare time he gets, is in his boat and out at sea in Salem St Ann, near Runaway Bay from where he hails.

For him winning has been sweet justification as it proved that all his years of trying to make it in the music business was not in vain. “I’m very elated as I’ve been rewarded for 30 years of trying .I’ve written over 50 songs and done two albums and many singles as I’ve been in the business since the tender age of ten and even recorded my first song in 1987.”

A singer on the hotel circuit with his brother, he says Mento is his music of choice. “I love doing Mento and playing my rumba box as Mento is the root of the music. I know reggae and other genres but Mento is the root culture of Jamaica.”

For him the Festival Song Competition was an experience he will forever cherish. “Sometimes it was tiresome with all of the road shows, but as I’m a natural hard worker and so I know you just have to deal with it. All the contestants live like family for the past four months. When you first go out you start wondering how the song will be received by the crowd but I’ve learnt that you must never start doubting yourself. On the road shows, the fans were very receptive to all of the finalists but there was just something about my song that made people come up to me afterward and say ‘A you bring back festival’. People gathered around me and tell me ‘Ras, we love your tune and a you me ago vote for’ so I knew it would do well.”

With a solid win now under his belt Kharuso intends to generate more recognition for his music by giving people good music that they will appreciate. “I want to go back into the studio and do some social commentary and some love songs as well. Music that will put people in a good mood and elevate their way of thinking.”

And as to the prize money? “I know times hard out there so me haffi go stash at least three quarter a it for a rainy day as you never know what the future hold. Me ago give me bank manager friend the book fi hold and not even an ATM card me waa'”