QUEENS OF REGGAE TO HONOUR CARLENE DAVIS
IF YOU had presented a musical award to Carlene Davis in the early 1990s, she would have probably expected it. With secular hits such as Dial My Number, Going Down to Paradise, and It Must Be Love, Davis said her “younger self” would have loved that kind of recognition.
Decades later, and singing a new tune, the gospel artiste said she does not look for awards. It is on this basis that her award from the second annual Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies (QORIHC) comes as a complete surprise.
“This is something I would have looked for maybe in my earlier days when I was trying to make a stamp,” Davis told The Gleaner. “Now I’m just walking in my purpose and fulfilling my purpose. I’ve been doing it according to God’s plan knowing that any reward I get is coming from God, not man. So it really catches me by surprise that someone recognises my work, and all that I am doing and appreciates it. I feel like a queen,” she continued.
QORIHC is scheduled to unfold on October 28 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. The event is organised by Laurell Nurse of Nyte Nurse Pro, and aims to honour women who have contributed to the local entertainment industry whether at the forefront or behind the scenes. Davis hails Nurse for orchestrating an event which recognises women.
“For her to take up the mantle is a huge responsibility that many people shy away from,” Davis said. “I have seen people take up allfemale events in the past. I myself was on an all-female tour some years ago, and it was quite a trip. We have come a long way and it’s good when we can honour each other, appreciate each other and learn from each other.”
Davis, who released Pray for You featuring Marion Hall earlier this year, said women should be recognised regardless of their tenure in music.
“There is no age barrier at the show, so it’s great that the younger ones are being recognised too,”she said. “It is important for the women coming up to see this because there is a tendency for the younger ones to think we as the older ones should step back when there is so much to learn from us. There is no better place to show this than at this event.”
Other honourees include dancehall deejay Spice, singer Pam Hall and choreographer Dr L’Antoinette Stines.