Carl Dawkins Sr. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Inspired by his father as a child, reggae act Carl Dawkins Jr decided to start a musical journey in 1992. The versatile singer, producer and television presenter hasn't had the luck that most would associate with him being the son of an established artiste. Despite the challenges, Dawkins knows all too well that successes are oftentimes born of failures.

His father, Carl Dawkins Sr, who is widely known for a free-flowing melodic voice, built a strong music foundation, which started back in the 1960s when he recorded and released his first single, Baby I Love You. He then released Satisfaction, which is to date his most successful work. Dawkins Sr is also recognised as one of the most hardworking reggae artistes in Jamaica and, at 61, still performs and records.

The younger Dawkins admitted that "it would be difficult to fit in my father's shoes", but showed a pillar of confidence when asked of his own abilities and what difference he will bring to an industry flocked by so many hopefuls.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Dawkins, accompanied by his manager John 'Pelli' Waite, said when it comes to his career, patience is one of his best virtues.

"I've learned to be patient from ever since I was a child," said Carl, who resides in Meadowbrook Estate.

"But I have reached a stage in life where I'm not looking for a pot of gold. It's about making a positive mark and sustaining a name in the music business and bringing back the good music," he added.

That good music, he said, was created when as a child he would sit and admire his father and other veteran artistes composing songs which helped establish reggae as a genre.

learning from legends

"I remember when he used to carry me to Carib Theatre. I used to have first-hand experiences with great artistes like John Holt and Toots. For them, it's all about music. I have gained and learned so much on how to deliver music," he said.

Dawkins' musical career went through a barren run during the late '90s, but now the 36-year-old singer said he is seeing all the hard work pay off. His four new singles, Ruff My Lawd, Bogus Shotta, Last Night and a cover of Kenny Rogers' She Believes In Me, is getting reasonable airplay. The songs were produced and released on his part-owned Jaf Records Label in Duhaney Park, St Andrew.

"We are giving people music to dance and enjoy and that can be played anywhere," he said. He is also working on a 13-track album, which is set to be released early next year.

Dawkins listed his two most successful studio efforts as a producer, the first coming in 1995 when he played keyboard on the remix of Satisfaction on the Diago Label along with Canada-based producer Bobby Chung. The other was producing Row Da Boat (four years ago), which features international artistes Ying Yang Twins and Don Yute, who he currently manages.

"Those are my strongest works to date," he highlighted. He has also been on several tours with his father, and the Satisfaction Band in Japan, Canada, Sweden and the United States of America.

Dawkins is also the presenter of a local television entertainment programme, Carl Dawkins Showcase, which is aired on Wednesdays on Portmore TV. The programme, which started four years ago, gives an update on both local and international artistes.

local & international talent

"A lot of things happen in the entertainment industry. This programme basically exposes the talents of local and international acts," he said.

Dawkins said he was also friends and schoolmate with Grammy-winning dancehall artiste, Sean Paul, and Don Yute, who is currently in the USA promoting his music, but admitted he never saw himself or either of the two becoming recording artistes.

"The funny thing about that is Don Yute was a table tennis champion. We used to play cricket and football every day, but I guess music overlaps everything," he said.

Dawkins said as he continues his musical journey, he's not aiming to emulate his father but leave his own unique footprints.

"Carl Dawkins is a phenomenon, even Beres (Hammond) said that," the younger Dawkins said of his father. "In the streets, he's recognised as the real vocalist. It would be hard to overlap or go around that."

Carl Dawkins Jr. (left) and his manager John 'Pelli' Waite. - Photo by Roxroy McLean