STEPHEN Davidson, director of marketing at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), says there has been an encouraging response to its campaign to determine the most popular Festival songs.

In commemoration of the JCDC’s 50th anniversary, the annual Festival Song Competition is, this year, being replaced by a public vote.

“We opened the voting one week ago and are pleased with how everything is looking. We really want persons to look back and vote for their favourite songs, as well as for younger persons to listen and become familiar with the festival songs for the past 50 years,” Davidson tells the Jamaica Observer.

The top 20 songs chosen in the poll will be revealed on August 2, at the Festival Song Showcase at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

This Festival Song Showcase will feature performances by some of the artistes in that top 20. The compilation will be released this year as a collector’s item to cap the JCDC’s golden anniversary.

He adds that the Festival Song Competition — first held in 1966 — should return next year.

The JCDC and Ministry of Culture were criticised by the opposition Jamaica Labour Party when it was announced early this year that the Festival Song Competition — a staple of independence celebrations — would be cancelled and a public vote held in its place.

Over the years, the competition has produced Jamaican pop standards such as Bam Bam, the first winner by Toots and the Maytals; Cherry Oh Baby, Land of my Birth (Eric Donaldson); and Give Thanks and Praise by Roy Rayon.