Entertainment

'Singing is my life'

Christopher Martin

LAST FRIDAY NIGHT at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Christopher Martin came close to the heady taste of victory. Though the Rising Stars 2005 competition still has some way to go, last Friday's voting tally had him riding the wave of success to come out on the top of the pack of the six finalists.

The 18-year-old is a recent graduate of St. Jago High. As the show's host Denise Hunt makes fun of every week, Martin hails from Back Pasture in St. Catherine, but his performances in the competition so far have been keeping him from the back of the pack.

Though it was not the final win, at the end of Friday night, Martin was floating on the euphoria of success. "It was great," he said of having received the highest number of votes. "Oh God, phenomenal! Beyond my wildest expectations."

Martin literally had to be ripped from the arms of numerous fans who came over to congratulate him (and get a hug) for the interview. His smiles are quick in coming, making his joy clear. His ready acceptance of his fans' affections indicate what Martin believes might be his fatal flaw.

Friendly

"I'm a bit too friendly," he says, explaining that his phone number therefore falls from his lips with too much ease. Nonetheless, as he enjoys meeting new people, it is not a trait he is about to give up. He also notes that though he is a practising Christian, lately, parties and girls have been causing him to fall often. With his recent success, it is quite likely he has a bit more falling to do.

Martin explains that his main reason for entering the competition is to earn tuition for either the University of Technology or the University of the West Indies, where he hopes to study accounts. But music is his main goal. "Singing is my life," he says, "but with all things, I have to have a backup plan."

Martin is not quite new to the stage, having performed while at St. Jago in various groups and having earned the Mr. St. Jago title in 2003. Nonetheless, he explains that the best thing he has gained from competition is exposure. Alas, a part of the worst has been choosing the wrong song. On those occasions he has had to deal with the cutting tongue of Anthony Miller. Yet, Martin has learnt to deal with these times.

"With each comment, being good or bad, you have to take something out of it," he says. So he says it is a stepping stone to help him get to the next level of his performance. So with Sunday's performance not having lived quite up to expectations, Martin has even more reason to 'wriggle out his best' as he moves to the next level.

-Tanya Batson Savage