The top ten finalists in the 2013 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition were chosen from a field of over 30 competitors at the high-energy semi-final concert held at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.  The final entries are:

NAME                                      PARISH                                  SONG TITLE
 
Sir Duke                              St. Elizabeth                               Forever Faithful

Voices of Inspiration                St. Catherine                          Sound of My Voice

Dionne Collins                        St. James                                    I’m Going Through

Vennica Nicholson                     K.S.A                                            Victory

Taneisha Mills                        Clarendon                                  Never Give Up                            

Deborah Coley                         St. Ann                                         Hallelujah Free

Howard Brown                          Clarendon                                   A Word from You

Endtime Warriors                      K.S.A                                            What Are You Waiting For

Minister Songbird                     St. Catherine                              Mi Nah Give Up

Carita Williams                       St. Thomas                                   Hold On


The finalists will be involved in activities that will lead up to the grand finale, which includes an album launch, workshops, a television reality show, island-wide road shows and social outreach projects.

For the first time persons attending the semi-final show were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items, clothes, toys and books for the Jamaica Gospel Song 2013 outreach programme which was well supported. This initiative will continue and members of the Public are invited to drop off donations at the JCDC Head Office and Parish Office Islandwide.

According to Leighton Jones, National Coordinator- Gospel Song Competition , JCDC, “The competition overall has been exciting and we continue to see the tremendous talent that Jamaica has, which is in keeping with the JCDC’s mission of unearthing the talent of Jamaicans from all walks of life. We believe the judges have selected the best of the best, who will now vie for the National title and we look forward to a successful finals.”

The Jamaica Gospel Song competition since its inception in 1987 has been the platform for many singers, producers and songwriters to rise to stardom such as Kerron Ennis, George Gordon, Jodian Pantry, Lubert Levy, Kevin Downswell and Glacia Robinson.

The National Finals of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition is scheduled for August 4, 2013.