André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Garfield Reid performs his winning entry 'Signs of the Times' at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday. Reid is the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) 2007 Jamaica Gospel Song Competition winner. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

It was not far-fetched to many that Garfield Reid would have won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song Competition. Reid has performed on some of the biggest gospel shows and is known in the circle. However, he said the only slight advantage he may have had is the experience of performing on-stage.

"I wasn't overconfident, but I was not nervous. Other than that, I wouldn't say it helped me. I had to do everything everybody else did and there are others in the competition who have the same experience," Reid said. "You can be on the scene, but that does not mean you are going win."

Nothing is going to steal Reid's joy. Still feeling the chills from the moment his name was announced as the winner, Reid said he was still amazed by the fact that he came out on top.

"I feel ecstatic; words can't explain how I am feeling right now. I have to be pinching myself to see if it's real," he told The Gleaner.

Reid plans to feed off the current buzz from the competition by immediately putting out new singles. He has also been booked for a few shows outside the Corporate Area. Many people may be wondering what he plans to do with the money he won, but he himself does not know.

"I am weighing and praying about it. I plan to spend some on my album and help out my family of course," he said.

Going forward in gospel music, Reid said the path to what he needs to do is clear.

"My sole purpose is to minister not to entertain ... The songs I sing should foremost minister to the messenger before it can touch and transform the lives of others," he said.

Reid is hoping he will get to the point in which he can do music as his full-time gig. He attends the Waterford Missionary Church in Portmore and has accepted Christ from an early age. He has been baptised since 1996. He is also the drummer, the assistant musical director, a cell group leader and the programme co-ordinator for his church.

In light of this, Reid, a worshipper by nature, has made positive and impressive strides in the music arena and has so far released two original singles, A Prayer Away and Dance. Both songs have received favourably strong airplay on the various radio stations. In addition, he has collaborated with Minister Blessed on the Mainframe rhythm and released King Jesus Reigns in November 2005. This song, too, has got good airplay, especially on MegaJams '98 and LOVE 101 FM.