The musical career of Glenroy Washington, singer, songwriter and drummer, personifies the cliché; ”The race is not for the swift, but for those who can endure.” The triumph of Glen Washington’s endurance has been 25 years in the making.

Like most successful artists, Washington evolved from humble beginnings. Born in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica he is currently one of the most in demand artist in reggae music; this has come after many years of recording and waiting in the wings. In 1997, he released his debut album ‘Brother To Brother’ and, to date, has released 10 albums. Fans and critics alike say there is not one bad song in his catalog.

Washington began his musical career in the early seventies as the lead singer for the group “Names And Faces.” He later became the lead singer in a band called “35 Incorporated” and learned to play the drums under the guidance of, then drummer, Joseph Hill. When Hill left the band, Washington filled the slot, and became a singing drummer.

There are positive lessons of encouragement and motivation to learn from Washington’s experiences. His musical career is reminiscent of Boris Gardener, singer, bass player and bandleader who after 25 years in the music industry recorded the golden “I Wanna Wake Up With You.” In the same vein, it was thirty years after recording the classic “Black Magic Woman” that Santana went on to sweep the 2000 Grammy awards for the gigantic hit “Maria Maria”.

Similarly, Washington made his first hit record “Rockers Not Crackers” in 1978 for the Joe Gibbs Record label; but he did not grace the charts again until the release of the hit “Kindness For Weakness” in 1998.

Most music industry insiders would say that after 20 years in the business, it’s unlikely that an artist would release his biggest hit, but it has been proven again and again how speculative this business is.

Over the years, Washington has recorded sporadically as a solo singer and extensively as a studio drummer and, has laid tracks for various artists. Simultaneously, Washington was a full-time drummer (sometimes singer) in several different bands, such as: The Avengers, The Titans, and Happiness Unlimited. With Happiness Unlimited he migrated to the USA to work with Stevie Wonder. The other Bands he played with are Calabash and Bands that backed Artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Shinehead, Junior Reid, Gregory Isaacs, Sister Carol and the Meditations.

After a short hiatus from performing; in 1997, Washington once again pursued his solo singing career by doing some recording sessions for Studio One’s, famed Producer – Clement Dodd. It was dejavu all over again with the release of Washington’s awesome debut album “Brother to Brother”.

It seems the Studio One sound was launching another Artist career. However, it was a year later while recording for Producers Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling, that Washington hit with the classic album “Next To You.” It was marketed by VP Records and featured the hit song “Kindness for Weakness”, all tracks on this album are considered single material.
From the resurgence of Glen Washington’s singing career, his smooth, raspy, bass voice has often been likened to that of Beres Hammond. Washington says, “Beres is one of my favorite entertainers, so I regard it as a compliment to be compared with him.” With the release of over forty singles and eleven albums in four years, Washington has established himself as not only a singer but, also as a gifted songwriter who penned his own songs.

Other albums released by Washington are “Can’t You See” produced by Jah Life Records; “Think About It” for Philip Smart; “Number One Girl” produced by Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling, “Solitary Red Rose” for Ruff Stuff; “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down” for Don One; “Wondering Stranger” for Coxone Dodd, “ Reggae Max” for Jet Star, “Free Up The Vibes” for Stingray and “Your Love” Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling.

Washington said, “As a drummer backing other artists, I have toured the world, playing in countries like Japan, North, South and Central America, all over Europe and all the Caribbean Islands. Now I am repeating those trips as the featured artist, and it’s a great feeling to see thousands of fans coming out for my performances.”

Submitted.

Standing at six feet tall, the quintessential rising talent to be heard is Eric Somers known to the world as “Iyara.” A deejay with numerous talents, Somers was crafted within a multicultural country called Jamaica “Land we Love.” Grounded and humble Somers gleams that his hometown is one that has the lowest crime rates, highest rainfall and some of the most well-mannered citizens, known as Portland, Jamaica.

Born to Veronica Layne and Carl Somers, Somers is the fifth of six children. Growing up in a small district called Bellevue District in Rio Grande Valley, Somers was exposed to little or no city life distractions therefore school was definitely his main priority. After attending the Bellevue All Age School, he furthered his education at Port Antonio High School. He owes the utmost respect to two particular teachers for molding and grooming him into the man he is today.

His aspiration for music began when he first saw dancehall veteran Rodney Pryce, known to the dancehall world as ‘Bounty Killa’ performed ‘superfly’ at a school event. Since then, his admiration for the music industry grew. As he matured, Somers sought to make his place in the music industry. As a young man, he became an apprentice in his father’s construction company; however little did his father know that Somers was not made out to be a construction worker resulting in him firing him eight times. Music was obviously his direction even though he was constantly hindered or prevented from writing lyrics. Although Somers grew up hearing his father playing jazz, blues, mento and rock steady, Somers identifies himself with dancehall and reggae.

Somers decided to leave his humble beginnings to seriously pursue his musical journey and headed for Whitehall, Kingston. As he embarked on his new life in the city, a Rastafarian man overheard him deejaying and thought his talent had meaning; “a voice that needed to be heard.” This was the birth of his stage name Iyara. Music is Somers’ escape and he insisted on getting a musical break. “Advance” a friend of Somers happened to be the nephew of Somers musical idol, Bounty Killa. How ironic is that? With a burning desire to showcase his talent, Advance introduced Bounty Killa to Somers at Bounty Killa’s place of residence. Killa was thrilled by his lyrical content, his passion and his humility. On that day, his talent became his ticket to his success when he joined Killa on stage at 2008 Champion in Actions, which was his very first time performing and which he executed well. Immediately after, he was signed to Alliance Next Generation. Somers’ musical talent would not be detained.

Though riding the momentum Iyara nonetheless encountered rocky roads but managed to overcome them, allowing his career to have highlight performances at events such as Sting, Reggae Sumfest, Champions in Action, and performances in the United Kingdom, Canada, and America. Iyara also give back to his community performing at schools and other local events. His aim within this music industry is to get the entire world to listen to his music and feel his positive expression. But in Iyara’s own words, “Time is the master, you can ask the clock.”