Noddy Virtue eager to please his fans

The career of St Elizabeth-based Noddy Virtue as a reggae cabaret singer got a boost when he entered the Digicel Rising Stars in 2005. Noddy, a former sound system devotee, told THE WEEKEND STAR that although he is a die-hard lover of dancehall music, after being highlighted as a reggae singer through the competition, he wanted to preserve the relationship with the following he attracted when he sang Bon Jovi's 'Bed of Roses'.

That decision has earned him frequent bookings within the hotel circuit. However, this Christmas the entertainer will re-emerge on the stage show scene, with the first stop being Winter Splash in Manchester on Saturday.

"I find that people on the western side of the island are more interested in hearing reggae or lovers' rock music, and that is what I am bringing to the show," Noddy said.

The entertainer said that he cannot wait to perform his most recent single, Permanent Screw, for the Winter Splash patrons.

"The reggae single is about a relationship gone bad, so it leaves me with a permanent frown on my face. I am already getting good feedback about it," he said.

"I had to form a balance with my music since I made the decision to not sing too much of the international-sounding type of songs and dared not to be too outrageous."

Cara Vickers, the project manager for Winter Splash, said that they are happy to have Noddy on the show.

"Once you have talent, as does Noddy, I believe there should always be a place on the stage shows in Jamaica for you," Vickers said.

Part of the promoters' reasons for selecting the singer for the show, which features hard-core dancehall artistes like Rygin King, Macka Diamond and Teejay, is because "He [Noddy] is from that side of the island, he is passionate about the initiative, and there is no doubt that the people in the southern and western end of the island love him," she said.

For this, its second staging, Winter Splash is giving back to the community, as part proceeds from the event will go to the New Forest Primary and Junior High School in Manchester.