Shawn Campbell hits the right note
When the emcee announced that Shawn Campbell was next on the lineup to perform, I said to myself, “Who the… is that? Never heard of her before”. But, my curiosity was satisfied within minutes, because the moment the gorgeous young lady took the stage, my eyes were fixed on her for the entire duration that she spent before the audience. And, where was I? At the Annual Fashion Cabaret 5 fashion and entertainment showcase, which was held in Tamarac, Florida recently.
Shawn, who is Jamaican, was making her debut performance outside of the country, and was she nervous. “I am nervous as hell, but I am gonna make sure that you enjoy what I am here to do tonight,” she cautioned the capacity-filled venue at the Italian-American Club.
Coming on in full effect and powering away on Destiny Child’s Survivor and Blu Cantrell’s Hit Em Up Style, she got down to some serious singing when she touched on I Wanna Be With You Everywhere, and More Than I Can Say. But it was her original effort, Looking For Mr Right which had me standing up and taking notes.
“I started out by entering a karaoke competition at Margueritaville, Montego Bay. I sang the song, “To Love You More” and came out the winner. That night I was encouraged by a patron at the event, Leroy Williams, to pursue a career in the music,” Shawn told All Woman shortly after her performance in Florida.
After doing stints at weddings and talent shows, she got a job at Sandals Montego Bay, where she worked in both public relations and guest relations. The former Mt. Alvernia High student is these days doing the cabaret circuit on the North Coast.
“Apart from doing the cabaret circuit with my own show, I am also a part of the Claudette Miller Revue, which is currently doing well on the hotel circuit,” said Campbell.
Former lead singer for Ebony??? Miller drafted Campbell, after she had filled in temporarily for one of its members a few years ago. “I learnt a lot from the three months that I was in the group. It was like a good training ground for me”, she explained.
It has been a hard road for her, as she found out that the music business is not exactly a bed of roses for an aspiring female artiste.
“It’s very tough out there. Very challenging at times. Being a female artiste, we come across many things that the male artistes don’t even experience. In Jamaica, the female artiste has to put out the extra effort,” she said.
However, she has managed to acquire the services of a manager, Leroy Williams of Lloydjam Promotions in Montego Bay, who has thrown his weight behind the talented singer.
Describing her music as alternative rock/reggae, she has to date recorded two original songs, Looking For Mr Right and That Way Bout You. They were produced by the Western Jamaica-based producer Jermaestro.
“Jermaestro and I share the same vision I write the songs, he produced the tracks. The gift of writing that’s what I have. He uses his talent to enhance whatever I write. I feel a lot of love and emotions in what I do,” she said.
Her mother, whom she describes as a very strong individual, is one of the many persons whom she admires greatly. “I have seen her survive a lot of ups and downs and she has passed that determination down to me. Once you have a strong foundation you can build on, you can accomplish anything,” said Campbell.
As for her musical influences, Regina Belle, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin are tops on her list. She also likes Beres Hammond and Shaggy.
“I like Madonna because of her ability to go with the times. Her sense of change. I really like Shaggy because of his crossover attitude and that’s just what I am about. Taking reggae music internationally to another level. I am also very fond of Marcia Griffiths.”
With her completed demo being shopped to overseas interests, Shawn says that there are a few things currently in the works as far as her career is concerned. “Since I performed in Florida, I have a few recording opportunities now, and there is also the possibility of touring. I am just taking it one step at a time.”
