And the winners of the National Song Competition are…

The first event in this year’s national celebrations committee took place on Saturday night at the Memorial Park. Junior and senior artists battled to win the top spot in the National Song Competition before a huge crowd and television audience. To make the cut, the hopefuls were judged on lyrics, stage presence and much more. But at the close of the competition, only two artists whose songs possessed powerful, patriotic flavor and carnival rhythms would emerge as the winners. Duane Moody has the highlights.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Kernelle Parks better known for his stage name, Nello Player, won the senior patriotic song component for the 2013 National Song Competition when he trumped over eight other artists to claim the top spot as best national song. Lyrics, Musical Arrangement, Vocals, Stage Presence and Audience Appeal determined the winner of the segment.

While the event held on Saturday was a true testament of the wealth of talent in the jewel, Finalist and Second Place Winner, Wilson Grinage, was of the opinion that he and another finalist had been robbed of the title.

Wilson Grinage

Wilson Grinage, 2^nd Place, Senior National Song

“Competition on a national level doesn’t always fair off, fairly so I guess that’s what was happening out there the night. And as you can see certain judges had their personal friends performing on the stage. So it created a conflict of interest for the other performers.  I know that my team and myself, we made sure that we did everything the criteria asked for when it comes to lyrical content, stage performances, dress code, interaction with the audience…we had that on lock. For proof, go on Facebook. Facebook just blow up.”

Duane Moody

“Does this discourage you and maybe other performers from competing in a competition like this that is at such a national level?”

Wilson Grinage

“I wouldn’t say it discourages me, but it does make me think again about should I do this again next year.”

In the junior category, Marilyn Vansen settled for second place as Jael August captured the title for junior national song. August says training and support from family and friends assisted her in sealing the win.

Jael August

Jael August, Winner, Junior National Song

“To talk about my country and to talk about the Caribbean breeze; the unique thing about my country—just mainly “bigging” up my country greatly in my song. The preparation for that song was hard work, but it was worth it. I liked the outcome of the situation and I loved it. It was great.”

And bringing in the spirit of the carnival in early August was TR Shine with his original track, “Kick off the Carnival.” His track gave tribute to the national football team and filled the memorial park with energy.

TR Shine, Winner, Carnival Song

TR Shine

“Third, second and now first. Going through my head is basically hard work. I had to put in the work in order to accomplish what you want and that was the verdict…I did win. Nevertheless I want to say thanks to every supporter out there because dah dehn put me out there. And the performance was phenomenon and I did my best. I worked hard in order to get out there and neva bav like last year—running out of breath and what’s not. So I stay fit and thing. Technical difficulties did happen, but I still continue to run the song through so I can reach the pinnacle that I could reach there.  I previously watched competition before, years before and see the type of strategies dehn use. Ernestine always got something bomb so I had to to come with something at least harder than Ernestine and Sharon Martinez cause dehn noh play when dehn get on stage. And big up to them artists and all those who performed that made this event what it really was. And like I said, you always gotta have something save underneath the sleeve, so I bring that out this year.”

Ernestine Carballo took second place in the carnival segment with her song, “Every day for me is Carnival.” Duane Moody for News Five.

The winner of the National Song received six thousand dollars cash prize, a trophy, a music video production of the winning song as well as the opportunity to represent Belize at a music festival in the USA.