Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Roy Rayon, winner of this year's Festival Song Finals, with his entry 'Rise and Shine' - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Roy Rayon has done it again! With his entry Rise and Shine, he won his fourth Festival Song competition last Saturday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre, St Andrew.

From a field of 10 finalists, the experienced Rayon was a crowd favourite as he performed his hits Another One Come, Love Fever and Thanks And Praises at the event dubbed Festival Song 2k8 - What A Bam Bam.

Rayon was not the only festival 'old-timer' entering the competi-tion. Four-time winners, the Astronauts, got a favourable response from the crowd, as well as Atlanta-based Monty Montgomery.

Rayon said while he was not surprised by the win, he was pleased.

"I believe if you put in the hard work, you'll get in the result. I believe a Festival song has three ingredients: good rhythm, good lyrics and it has to be something for people to dance to," he said.

"I think my song had the edge because when you hear my song, you see parade floats and people having a good time," he added.

However, not everyone in the near capacity-filled auditorium was as happy with the win.

Some patrons filed out disgruntled, crying, "This is rubbish!" and "Countryman shoulda win!" in reference to the entry by Lynford McIntosh of St James.

The competition was a lively one, with host Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small taking over emcee duties.

Enhancing songs

Lynford McIntsoh combined comedy and festival. Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The first segment of the show saw finalists battling it out with mainly cover songs, while the second half was original pieces.

The Astronauts in plaid and straw hats belted out Banjo Man, while Zetto did Nah Left Jamaica, which was thematically similar to Pluto Shervington's I Man Born Ya. Roy Rayon was colourful, accompanied by dancers for his Rise and Shine. Clevon Edwards did better the second time around with Jamaica Little but We Tallawah. Lynford McIntosh combined comedy and festival, coming out in suspenders, lime-green pants, yellow socks and a pink shirt with hilarious content in Country Life. The audience was very impressed with his performance.

Danny Brasco and Iya Symba did a song-and-deejay combination in Festival Time Again, followed by Monty Montgomery with My Jamaica, Michael Rutherford's Old Time Festival and the single female contestant Natalee 'Versatile' Edwards did We Need Love. DJ Speng closed the original segment with Sweet Jamaica.

For the first time ever, the winner of the competition was announced on the night as the judges tallied their scores and those of the public.

Gifts

Lone female contestant, Natalee 'Versatile' Edwards, performing 'We Need Love'

Winning a million dollars, Rayon took home the main prize, in addition to nabbing the Best Performer title, which earned him $300,000, a cellphone courtesy of Digicel, and a $25,000 gift certificate from Cooyah.

Minister of Information, Sports, Youth and Culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, gave a tribute award to five-time festival winner Eric Donaldson, who performed Cherry Oh Baby, among other hits. To close off the performances were Richie Stephens, Shane-O and Bounty Killer.