WHILE making hit songs is critical for any artiste, a sustained career is just as important. That is something Da’Ville is focused on as he eyes new markets.

The singer is determined to emulate reggae greats by growing his base beyond the Jamaican Diaspora into areas like Australia, where he is scheduled to perform for the first time in October.

“I prayed to be busy like Beres Hammond, the Marley family, and dem man deh. Anyone who knows me knows I am a very driven and determined man, and I love what I do with a passion. The fact that so many people have shown appreciation and are requesting me for my music and performances as much as they are, means a whole lot to me,” he said.

His debut down under will be at the Australia Reggae Fest on October 29 in Geelong, Victoria. He headlines the show which features mainly local reggae acts.

Da’Ville has performed on shows as far as the Solomon Islands, as well as in Kenya and Nigeria. As he promotes new songs from an upcoming album he is seeking new audiences.

“To me, performing in places like Africa and Australia, among others, says that my music has transcended barriers and the message in my music is reaching people all over the world and is being embraced by them — regardless of their languages and/or ethnicity,” he noted. “I’m very grateful to God for that and I’m so appreciative to the ones that’s been showing love and support for me and my music.”

Happy and a cover of Ace Of Base’s Everytime it Rains are Da’Ville’s current songs. They are a precursor to Breath, his seventh album which is expected to be released in September.

Da’Ville’s best-known song is Always on my Mind, his solo breakthrough which came in 2006. He also scored with This Time I Promise during that period.

Australia and New Zealand have been more receptive to roots-reggae acts like Marley, Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, the Marley brothers (Ziggy, Stephen and Damian), Steel Pulse and pop-dancehall artistes such as Shaggy and Sean Paul.

In recent years some hard-core acts like Beenie Man have broken the ice as he debuted in Australia five years ago, while Sister Nancy did five shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Byron Bay and Canberra in March.

Ce’Cile is also scheduled to perform in Australia in October.