JAMANTHA HOLDER has been crowned Barbados’ newest karaoke queen!
Representing the parish of St Michael, Holder was in fine voice as she captured the overall title in the inaugural Banks Beer/Voice of Barbados Karaoke Competition, the final of which was held before a large crowd in the Banks Brewery car park in Newton, Christ Church, last Independence weekend.
For her efforts, Holder collected $3 000, a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone compliments of Digicel, $500 in décor from Renaissance Designs, and a Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) hamper.
But the jewel in her crown came in the form of a recording contract with soca superstar and Banks Beer ambassador Anderson Blood Armstrong.
As part of her prize, Holder will receive studio time and production support from the reigning Party Monarch champion, who will guide her through the oftentimes tedious process of writing, producing, arranging and distributing her own original song.
“The response from the public has been tremendous. By far, this has been one of the best received karaoke competitions in Barbados for quite some time,” said Charles Walcott, category manager for BHL.
“The crowd that turned up at the brewery proves to us that Barbadians not only love their karaoke, but they love their country and the ‘Beer of Barbados’. As we were on the cusp of celebrating our 47th Independence Day, we had all the right ingredients in a truly Bajan pot. It was a fantastic evening which exceeded all expectations!”
Leroy Malik Gooding, representing the parish of St James, claimed the runner-up spot, while Ronaldo Bobb, representing St Philip, finished third. Gooding walked away with $1 500 cash and a BHL hamper, while Bobb collected $500 and a BHL hamper.
Other finalists included Tyrone Rollock (St George), Davison Chrichlow (St John), Kevin Forde (St Joseph), Selma Smith (St Andrew), Crystal Hope (St Lucy), Rochelle Griffith (Christ Church), Janelle Gibbons (St Peter), and Damien Smith (St Thomas).
Elvis Godding, B&B Distribution Limited competition manager and trade activation coordinator, said the island-wide karaoke showcase had been a hit with patrons throughout each of the 11 parishes it visited.
“Community-building was at the heart of this competition. As we moved from parish to parish each month, the competitors gave a good account of themselves and everywhere we went, people came out in their numbers. Each night there was something special in the air,” he said.
Godding also thanked the competition’s panel of judges which included Blood, fellow calypsonians Alison Hinds, Bobo, and Answar, along with entertainers Ian Alleyne and David D2 Davis.
Wasting no time, the year-long 2014 Banks Beer/Voice of Barbados Karaoke Competition will begin this Friday, December 6, at E&E Bar and Variety in Kirtons, St Philip. (PR)
