Best Female Vocalist, Carlene Davis at the Caribbean Music Awards performing her latest release 'No Bias' at the world's renowned Apollo, New York City (1990).
-File photo
Toussaint Smith, Staff Reporter
The Gleaner has had its fingers on the pulse of the entertainment scene for decades. Naturally, our picture archives contain many a 1000-word story about those who have given us happy, memorable moments. In our series 'From the Archives' we pluck a picture and take a peek into the past, speaking to the central figure about the moment and subsequent events. Today, we speak with Carlene Davis.
The story reads: Carlene Davis in performance at the world famous Apollo, New York City, doing her latest release 'No Bias'. Carlene Davis was named Best Female Vocalist of 1990 at the Caribbean Music Awards.
Sunday Gleaner: What was the experience like, performing at the Apollo?
Carlene Davis: It wasn't my first time there. My first time there was in the 70s while I was still living in Canada and in those days before they had renovated - remember, it had closed down for a while - so prior to the closing down they used to have the same thing they do now, the talent. My auntie-in-law from America invited me, organised for me to come and appear at the talent night, and I flew in from Toronto. I went up to it and I remember the night Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes were the main singers; you know, like after the talent they put on a featured artiste, and Teddy Prendergast was a member of that group at the time. He wasn't on his own yet; he was still a part of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes and it was really a great opportunity for me, because you always hear about the Apollo and all the great artistes that have been through it. And even though I didn't win, praise God, they didn't boo me either (laughs). They didn't throw anything at me, so it tells me that they had appreciated my song. I had done an R&B song - I don't even remember what it is right now... When I had done the first Caribbean Music Awards, it must have been, I had gone there again to receive an award because of the song Welcome Home Mr. Mandela. I think I had done the two songs, Welcome Home Mr. Mandela and No Bias. I also had this new album called No Bias.
SG: How did you feel when you won Best Female Vocalist at the Caribbean Music Awards?
CD: It was truly an honour, because it was all the Caribbean islands coming together, from calypso to soca to zouk, and the African artistes who made it in the USA charts. And it was really an honour for me, because when you have the likes of Sparrow and Judy Mowatt and there was Third World being nominated, it was really an honour to know that I was among the greats of the Jamaican music industry and it showed me that I had made a mark, you know, and it was an encouragement to where the Lord was taking me. And even Eartha Kitt was there at the time - I think she was one of the MCs - top actress, singer. It was really a joy to be in the company of people that you see in film and movies growing up and here you are now sharing the same stage with them.
SG: Do you like the direction Jamaican male and female gospel vocalists are taking?
CD: Most definitely! I mean, there is a boldness in the songs they are writing and it's not just singing, but the songs that we are writing. It means that we are tapping into the source and our source is truly God and we are now able to write our experience with God and how he has brought us through, because we all go through trials and we go through temptations, but when you come to the knowledge that it is God who is taking us through and bringing us out, you can truly share that with others. You don't need to wait for church to preach it. We have the privilege now to put it in songs and the airwaves will take it and encourage somebody, so I'm really excited about that for sure.
SG: How has your life changed since?
CD: Well, my songs are testimony in terms of that. Even as a mother, as a wife, I have learned to trust the Lord for my concerns, the concerns that I have for my children and where I want to see them go in life. I can truly say that God has brought me to a place where I can... all I have to do is to pray and leave it to God and not worry about it after I'm through praying, but knowing that God answered my prayer and it's a matter of waiting for the unveiling of what God is doing in life. So I'm no longer fearful and worried, because I've put my trust in God.
SG: How is your spiritual growth so far?
CD: Well, my husband is a testimony of that. I mean, I know that because I can trust in the Lord it tells me that I've grown, because there was a time when you know you'd pray and worry and that doesn't make sense; you can't be praying to the God who has created you, who you know is your source, who is your provider then you walk away and still say 'bwoy mi nuh know how mi going manage'. You've already prayed, so now that I'm walking in the knowledge that once I prayed I must leave it and trust God for the answer, that tells me that I've come a long way in Christ. God has brought me to a place where I can rest in him.
SG: What are you up to now?
CD: Well I'm in the recording studio. I have my own studio, it's called Judah Recording, and we have our own recording label called Glory Music Productions. I'm working on my seventh gospel album and I'm very excited about it. With each album God allows you to go a little deeper so that, you know, there is a freshness coming from this album from where we were before. It's like everything else - people are expecting more. In everything you do people are gonna require more of you and so I'm not anxious about having this thing out tomorrow, I want it to be just right, so I'm just taking my time and allowing patience to work through this one. I just completed my master's degree in Pastoral Counselling from Trinity South Florida University. The Jamaican Chapter went up for graduation with the rest of the students from overseas and it was truly when you talk about growth, this was something that my husband and I were desirous of from I recommitted my life, that I should go back to school. And the Bible speaks about studying to show yourself approved unto God and I'm so thankful that he has brought me this, that I can be doing that. So having done my master's now, I'm going full force for my doctorate, because my desire is to make a difference in my home, in community, in the lives that God bring to me, so I can in turn, be a blessing to someone else.
