The Tribune

In celebration of its 12th anniversary, the Joy 101.9 FM hosted it’s “Jingle for Joy” contest, inviting its listeners to create a jingle for the radio station. Students and up-and-coming gospel artists were encouraged to create a jingle incorporating the radio station’s slogan, “Your Choice for the Family”, and motto, “Uplift, Inspire And Motivate”.

The response from listeners was heart-warming, said Clover Bonamy, CEO of Joy FM. “Our listeners embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. We are truly thankful to all the participants of the jingle competition.

The competition attracted a cross-section of talented and creative individuals whose submissions ranged from gospel rap to a cappella performances. And the judges were thrilled by the originality of the entries.

Destiny Gibson, a 10-year-old Temple Christian School student was victorious in the elementary category with her catchy jingle, while 15-year-old Shawna Gibson of Kingsway Academy melodiously made her way to the top in the secondary category. The duo of Nelson Strachan and Selandia Toote submitted a rapped jingle that ultimately catapulted them to first place in the up-and-coming gospel artists category. The finalists, Eunice Johnson, Sheron Jerome, Marsha Hepburn-Peters and Destiny Adderley, all received outstanding reviews for their submissions.

The judges for the jingle competition were Kingdom Discipleship Centre Senior Pastor Devon A Rolle, an award-winning recording artist, songwriter and producer, and the musical team of Travanté and Tamika Taylor, owners and operators of Taylormade Productions, the parent company to Tarua’s School of Music and Tavan’s School of Mentorship and Tutoring.

The couple has over 20 years experience as youth pastors and music ministers, with Travanté, a skilled pianist and bass violinist, having trained and led numerous choirs to victory. Tamika is an accomplished gospel singer who has travelled throughout the Bahamas and US, gracing the stage with the likes of Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond and Bebe Winans.

Joy FM also used kids to assist with the jingle selection.

“We realise that a jingle has to be catchy and capture the attention of our listeners, especially our kids, who ultimately will be repeating it. Coincidently, the kids’ choices were the same as the judges,” said Ms Bonamy.

The winners and finalists received gift bags compliments of the Bible Book and Gift Centre.

To hear the new jingles, listeners should keep their dials locked to Joy 101.9 FM, and visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/joyfm1019 and Twitter @JoyFmBahamas to view photos and videos of the contest.