The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), launched the 2009 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition and album entitled “I Believe in Praise” at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Wednesday. The album features the entries of the competition's ten finalists produced by some of the island's top gospel music producers. At the launch the JCDC unveiled the plans for the 2009 competition and the ten finalists who will compete for gospel stardom made their first public debut for the competition.
The 2009 finalists include, Andre Wright with the song “ Man o God ” ,Omar Douglas , with “Jehovah Nah Sleep” , Kimola Brown with “Sen Down ” , Fabian Wright with “I have your Mercy ” , Brinetta Lewis with “Weh yuh a Worry Fah” , Gamel Grant , with “Take Me to Jesus” , Kimela Isaacs with “Reassurance” ,Nickette Morgan, with “Wherever I Go” ,Tobi Maxwell and Gilhiesa Smith with “You Are” and Leo Lewis with “Buss Out”.
Starting June 27 the finalists will participate in the “I Believe in Praise” Tour, an island wide motorcade with stops in parish and town centres before the grand showdown scheduled for August 2 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.
The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition was instituted by the JCDC to encourage the production of new works in the genre and preserve the authentic Jamaican Gospel music form.