She is frequently asked the question: “What does a woman born in Scotland and a trained opera singer know about reggae and dancehall music”? And, for Patricia ‘Pat’ Gooden, the answer is simple: “It’s all music.”

Come October 19, National Heroes Day, Gooden will be among the thoes receiving the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer (OD) for her outstanding contribution to music and elocution in Jamaica.

Gooden, who was born in the city of Aberdeen, admits that she has had a 49-year-old love affair with Jamaica, which began the moment she set her eyes on the island in 1966.

“I am so totally Jamaican now that I cannot see myself resettling in Scotland. My brother wants me to return as I am now getting on in years and he fears me being alone. I have had great experiences and bad ones, but I really love Jamaica, it’s something with the people and the food and the culture. Yesterday I cooked ackee and saltfish, roast breadfruit and pear for dinner… where am I gonna get that in Scotland? I am totally Jamaican.”

Gooden can’t recall just how she got started in music, but remembers singing with an orchestra when she was five years-old and hosting a television show in Scotland by the time she was 18. She would then move on to college where she studied music and also did a number of courses related to working with people who had special needs in speech.

A career as an opera singer seemed to be on the cards with performances in London and Germany. That got derailed when she arrived in Jamaica in 1966. The country would provide her with what she describes as her calling, as Gooden’s chequered career has always been held together by the common thread of music and the desire to help people.

These days her efforts are directed at working with aspiring singers and musicians (she teaches piano).

“I work with a lot of singers and deejays helping them find their voice. A lot of the deejays come to me as they want to become singjays. I work with them on breathing and pitch, as a lot of the deejays are off pitch,” she said. “In the past I have worked with Sean Paul, Devonte, Snagga Puss, and a lot more whose names I have forgotten. One of my most challenging was an artiste called Kim Wierdo. She came to me raw and wanted to prove to her audience that she could also sing. She wanted me to help her find her voice, which I did. It was a tremendous challenge, but I loved every minute of it. I don’t know what happened to her,” Gooden added.

Many Jamaicans will remember Gooden who took over from Marie Garth on The Colgate Cavity Fighters Club on RJR, which she co-hosted with Neville Willoughby, and even continued after his passing — a stint which lasted 26 years.

She also works with patients at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, helping them with their speech. Gooden finds time to help wards at the Maxfield Park Children’s Home with music. And she still enjoys being on stage. Currently, she is preparing for a concert in September with the Jamaica Military Band.

“I really get a kick out of helping people, especially young people as there is so much potential in this country, musical and otherwise.”