GOSPEL artiste Prodigal Son is on track to host the official release of his latest album, Half Way There, on Saturday, November 20 at the Emanuel Apostolic Church, 12 Slipe Road in Kingston.

Half Way There, as the name suggests, is an acknowledgement and a celebration of the Christian walk.

“This album is a testament to the fact that as Christians we are on a road that leads us to perfection. It doesn’t happen overnight and there will be stumbling blocks along the way. But as long as we recognise that we are half way there, that is enough assurance and encouragement for us to continue the rest of our journey,” Prodigal says of the album title.

Half Way There was released online on November 2 and individual songs are available on pre-order on Amazon.com, Itunes, Myspace Music, Emusic, Rhapsody and Napster.

A 20-track offering, the album features other gospel acts including Sherwin Gardner, Dwight Gordon, Shepherd, Jason Mighty, Teena Tamara, Murphy, Rayon and Professor. Half Way There is on Prodigal’s very own Radikal Yawd Music.

Calvin Curtis Whilby aka Prodigal Son was born in St Catherine, Jamaica, in 1976. Accepting Christ at age five, he followed the Lord until the age of 13, when upon the death of his grandmother he slowly descended into a lifestyle of gang and gun violence.

This rebellious ghetto teenager found protection and family in his gang, called Fatherless Crew the same would later be called Lock the City Crew. Interestingly, he gave up his guns and girls and accepted Christ, similar to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Calvin humbled himself before the Father and asked for forgiveness, he surrendered all to Jesus. Like any love story, the Prodigal Son got baptised on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1998 and has never looked back since.

Inspired by the parallels in his life, he copped the name Prodigal Son, and although he had no previous secular experience in music, he soon realised he was blessed with a gift he decided to use for the glory of God. He was introduced to producer Danny Brownie who soon became both mentor and friend. Brownie guided Prodigal through his musical career and continues to be his ministry partner.

His debut album Radikal Prodigal, produced by Danny Brownie, featured crossover hits I Wish, Woe and Radikal Style. His second album Still Standing, which was self-produced, was voted best gospel album of 2005 by Love 101.

Prodigal Son is an ordained pastor.