The Silvertones IT'S BEEN a quarter of a century since the group first entered the Festival song competition and they stand out as one of the most entered contestants in its history.
The Silvertones has never won, but on many occasions has figured prominently, gaining second or third places. This year members believe they have found the formula. It's a dash of reggae, a sprinkling of traditional festival mixed into a dough of dance. It's called Leggo Di Music.
The group is a veteran hit-maker. The success began in 1963 with a cover of Midnight Hour, followed by True Confession for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label.
But its biggest hit to date, one which has been covered by several major reggae artistes, is Smile, originally recorded for Coxsone Dodd in the early 1980s.
The group comprises founding members Keith Coley and Gilmour Grant, plus new recruit Eddie Brown. They believe that this is their year.
"We've put out a lot of effort once again and we feel very confident that this year will be ours," said Coley. He expressed dismay at the current state of the song competition.
"Festival (Popular Song) has lost its touch. It's not getting the crowd support it used to and perhaps they need to look at the whole thing again," he said.
Gilmour Grant said that though they have entered seven times unsuccessfully, even if they don't win this year, they will not stop entering.
"We not stopping until we reach the No. 1 spot. There have been years when we felt we should have won and didn't, be we have persevered," he said.
A sore point with the group is the non-payment of royalties to them for the song Smile which has been widely covered.
"I plan to put a lawyer on the case," said Grant, who is the writer. The group has a new album out for Coxsone Dodd called Young At Heart.
"We would like to get a tour to go with this album", said Coley. Two members of the group have never travelled outside of Jamaica despite their vast experience. Eddie Brown freelances as a keyboardist with various musical outfits, so he has had the opportunity to travel, but Coley and Grant have never left the island.
Among the songs the Silvertones have entered in the song competition are Fi Wi Time Festival (second place 1975), Musical Beat (fourth place 1981), Stop The Pie Pie (third place), Do What You Can, Best Arranged Song and Flying High.
- Andrew Clunis
