NADINE SUTHERLAND CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SHOW BIZ!

Nàdine Sutherland has a come a long way from the 11 year-old singer who stole hearts at the 1979 Tastee Talent Contest. She has never forgotten the show that gave her the big break 40 years ago.
On December 30, Sutherland received a citation from Tastee Limited, sponsors of the talent contest that was last held in 2013; and IMAGES LLC, a New York-based communications company.

The 51 year-old artist was overwhelmed by the occasion which took place at Tastee’s boardroom in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital.
She saluted her parents, who she described as her foundation. They were her de facto managers for the Tastee Talent Contest which she won over singer Paul Blake and deejay Yellowman.
“They are still with me 40 years later and for that I am grateful,” Sutherland said, noting that she is from a “Jamaican strong family.”
Her mother, Beverley Sutherland, attended the function. So too Howard McGowan, former entertainment editor at the Gleaner Company newspaper, who was a judge for the contest; and songwriter Sangie Davis, Sutherland’s mentor.

For winning the Tastee Talent Contest, Sutherland got to record for Tuff Gong Records, owned by Bob Marley. The ‘Gong’ was in the studio when she recorded Starvation on The Land, her first song, which was written by Davis.

Like her idols, The I Three, Sutherland has had an enduring career in a reggae industry that has not always been kind to women. 
Marcia Griffiths, a member of that group, called in by cellphone from Florida to acknowledge her colleague’s landmark.
“There’s no stopping you my little sister. Keep the fire burning!” Griffiths encouraged.
Over the years, Nadine Sutherland has scored a number of hit songs including Action, I’m in Love, Babyface and Anything For You.
Her latest song is a cover of Bill Withers’ Ain’t no Sunshine.