There was no doubt about the voices.
Each of the contestants who faced the judges in the Over 21 Richard Stoute singing contest was there because of excellent vocals. But only one could have taken away the top prize. And it was Tanisha Alleyne who took the title from a field of 16 with the songs Midnight Train To Georgia and I Don’t Want To Know after scoring 642 points.
She takes home $5 000 and the Clarence Thompson Trophy. Thompson, who had one of Barbados’ better voices, performed with The Opels, and on the hotel circuit in his heyday.
Lisa Griffith, who got 634 points, placed second doing Lord You’re Holy and I Believe In You And Me. She, however, took home $2 000 and the Midge Springer Trophy. Springer, whose first name was Lionel, was an outstanding falsetto who died in 2003 at the age of 58. He was a former lead singer of The Opels.Â
Anderson Impact Ward who sang You Raise Me Up and We Found Love came in third with 623. His prizes were $1 000 and the Lemuel Waithe Trophy. Waithe, who won the teen talent contest in 1990 was one of the popular voices at that time. He died at the age of 27.
Although not winning prizes, the judges made special mention of Christine Carter and Ronnie Morris who were placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Last Sunday’s competition was held at Divi Southwinds, Christ Church. (JS)
