THE top-10 finalists in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Jamaica Gospel Song Competition are scheduled to face-off at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, on Sunday, July 23.

The finalists were selected from 23 semi-finalists at an event held at Olson Memorial Chapel on Hope Road, last Sunday.

“This year’s impressive crop of semi-finalists each brought something extra to the competition in their own unique way; it was hard for the judges to select the best 10,” said Stephen Davidson, JCDC director of marketing and public relations.

“But the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition facilitates growth in the music industry, and continues to provide opportunities both locally and internationally for a lot of persons who have entered, even those who were not the winner on the final night,” he continued.

The finalists are: St Ann’s Raheim Betty (Jesus I’m Sold Out to You); Portland’s Shaughna-Lee Steel (Arise); (Through the Storm) Chevanese Thomas; and (God is Real) Derona Nunes, both from Manchester. Three finalists represented Clarendon: Dannareo Fearon (Order My Steps); (The Blood) Shanoya Haley and (Too Late) Vylmark Hamilton. The Kingston and St Andrew comprised: Dycinta Nunes Holgate (Bawl Out), Tevon Brown (Christ Put a Praise in Me), and (Hold the Faith) Flavia Bradshaw Beswick.

“The finalists will now begin preparation for their journey to the finals which will include voice, music and industry based developmental workshops, recording the album and performances and outreach across the island. All this will be captured in a reality television series leading up to the Grand Finals,” said Davidson.

Since its inception in 1987, the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition has become an iconic presentation of indigenous gospel music in Jamaica and attracts over 200 artistes, producers and writers of original gospel music each year. This competition is also seen as another avenue for the unearthing and growth of writers, and vocalists through training with the best within the industry.