Singer Carlene Davis, who was one of 11 winners at the October 19 Sunshine Awards in Newark, New Jersey, last Saturday, believes her work as an artiste and humanitarian is responsible for the latest accolade.

She pointed to a New Testament scripture to reinforce her point.

“This award lines up with the word of God, which says in Galatians 6:9, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,’ ” the gospel artiste told the Jamaica Observer.

Organi sers of the Sunshine Awards noted Davis’s contribution to the performing arts for making her one of the award recipients. It cited her songs in the secular and gospel fields as having lasting appeal.

“My creative process is not focused on awards but on the message that God has given me to share. However, awards are public recognition of the work being done, and I appreciate each award as recognition of my commitment to excellence in sharing God’s word and love for mankind,” said Davis.

The Clarendon-born vocalist, whose career started in Canada during the 1970s, broke through a decade later with songs like Stealing Love on The Side, Like Old Friends Do, and Going Down to Paradise.

Since converting to Christianity 30 years ago, Davis has recorded a number of inspirational albums.

Artistes from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, the United States, and Ethiopia were also recognised at the Sunshine Awards, which were first held in 1989.

— Howard Campbell