‘Jamaica 60 could not happen without Festival Song’ - Eric Donaldson happy to hear competition is back on

The man considered 'Mr Festival Song', multiple winner Eric Donaldson, says that Jamaica's Diamond Jubilee celebrations would have been "incomplete" without a competition to choose a song that rallies the nation.

Culture Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange had announced in Parliament that there would be no competition this year due to unsatisfactory entries. Donaldson, 75, understood that the songs previously submitted to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for judging were not of the quality that judges were seeking. But he did not expect that would cause a cancellation of the event.

"The music have to play," he told THE STAR. "Festival cannot go on without the music that brings the people together. I'm happy to hear this news. So many people come out for Festival Song when I usually entered." Donaldson applauded the reversal of the decision, which was announced following a decision made in Cabinet on Monday. A week ago, Grange stated that 123 entries were received, much fewer than the number submitted in previous years. A few industry professionals suggested that there was an ongoing boycott of the competition. But Donaldson did not agree.

When the JCDC hosted an online post in 2013, Donaldson's 1978 winning song Land Of My Birth was voted the most popular in the competition's history, and he proudly says that it still is. He also won the competition in 1971, 1977, 1984, 1993, 1995 and 1997. The veteran singer-songwriter has even expressed an interest in entering the Jamaica 60 Festival Song competition. He is currently promoting an album compilation titled Big Boots with songs like Haul and Pull, Mek Mi Climb and Where Did My Baby Go which has been pre-released but was delayed due to the pandemic.

"In Jamaica, you find people just brand me on to festival but I have continued to record and release music that are number one and keep me travelling," he said. "I did lots of songs and I have more in the making." He advised anyone wishing to enter the competition to do so with a free mind.

"Make sure you have a song you think will win the competition. That's what you need to have in your mind. See the competition reopen, that's because at Grand Gala, you have to have a national festival song that the people can connect with," Donaldson said. Meanwhile, Grange is encouraging persons with good songs that they believe can rally the nation to submit their entries.

"We are waiving the entry fee and we look forward to receiving entries by Tuesday, June 21 at midnight via the online entry portal at the JCDC website ( www.jcdc.gov.jm). We are looking for that catchy, infectious, or inspirational song set to a Jamaican beat that will be on the lips of every man, woman, and child this Independence," she said.