Janae Jackson wins DBS Christmas Song Contest

Despite the rain pounding outside and the slightly chilled indoors environment of the Arawak house of culture, patrons were ablaze when 15-year-old Janae Jackson out performed 13 other contestants to take home the trophy in the Dominica Broadcasting Station (DBS) Christmas song contest for the second time.

Tears could be seen sliding down many faces on Sunday night as the youngest competitor captivated the audience with her rendition, ‘Miss you at Christmas.’

The song, written by her father Ian Jackson, tells of a lonely Christmas without her parents but at the end of her performance, they both came home bearing gifts and love, making her Christmas happy once more.

“It’s about bringing about the message to people and I felt a sense of emotion myself as I sang the song,” Jackson said moments after her victory. “I tend to lean towards emotional songs because it brings out my vocal aspects and I can communicate better with the crowd. So I felt as much as part of the song as the people did.”

She received a trophy compliments Dominica Association of St. Thomas, cash prize, trip for two compliments L’espress de illes, one tablet compliments CIS Enterprises, one Alcatel handset compliments LIME, $100 top up voucher compliments LIME and one gift certificate compliments of The Glam.

“I am just happy with the individual that I am becoming, and I just like the support from Dominicans,” she stated adding that this was her last stage appearance for a while as she will be in her final year of school and wants to give her undivided attention to her studies.

Her father Ian Jackson told reporters that he is a proud father and is in support of any move that his daughter is taking at this time.

The young performer’s mother, Agatha Jackson, who also spoke to DNO, saying she very is excited and a proud mother.

She said from the day Janae went to her father and said she want to compete in the the DBS song contest,  “I said, really? She said, yes … so then pen and paper start … and I said go for it my girl.”

First runner up, Corlene Letang, received a trophy compliments Jean Joseph, cash prizes, dinner for two at Fort Young Hotel, a handset compliments Digicel, a gift certificate compliments The Glam, and an electronic toaster oven compliments of Courts.

Second runner up ‘Lady S’ singing ‘Christmas Reflection’ got a trophy compliments Big Edge, cash prizes, an Oster cordless kettle from Courts and a handset compliments Digicel.

Third runner up, Akim Ishmae,l singing ‘He reigns,’ received a trophy compliments Big edge Financial Services, cash prizes, a participation plaque, a non stick iron, and $100 top up voucher from LIME.

Other participants were: Alvin Bazil, Shernelle Raymond, D-Shawn Peltier, Damian Dumas,Vernella Williams, Shernelle Hodge, Phael Lander and Netisha Joseph and Cyril Henderson.

Henderson added an extra flavor with his black Santa elf outfit and special recognition was given to Red Eye Rudy for his reggae rendition.

And as the patrons headed out into the cold, rainy night there were talks that Red Eye Rudy with his unique blend of reggae, should have gotten a spot among the finalists, but according to the Master of Ceremony (MC), Noreen Jospeh, “The judges’ decision is final.”