By TAMARA DELANEY

Freeport News Reporter

tdelaney@nasguard.com

JINGLE ALL THE WAY – Grand Bahama Millwork General Manager Keith Worrell (right) sits with Charnell Laing, assistant manager of marketing. The executives of the hardware store have launched the first ever 'jingle contest' which will kick-off this month until December 16. Young entrants have the chance to show off their musical skills while having the chance to win a grand prize of $2,500. (Photo by JENNEVA RUSSELLJINGLE ALL THE WAY – Grand Bahama Millwork General Manager Keith Worrell (right) sits with Charnell Laing, assistant manager of marketing. The executives of the hardware store have launched the first ever 'jingle contest' which will kick-off this month until December 16. Young entrants have the chance to show off their musical skills while having the chance to win a grand prize of $2,500. (Photo by JENNEVA RUSSELL)

Committed to showcasing young, local talent, executives of Grand Bahama Millwork are hosting their first ever 'jingle contest' which is expected to guarantee a grand prize of $2,500 to the lucky winner.

The contest, which kicked off earlier this week, will run until Saturday, December 16 and according to General Manager Keith Worrell, the competition is a fruitful playing ground for young artists.

"The emphasis is young people. We recognize that there are a number of young per-sons who are particularly talented and this will give persons the chance to display their artistic talent," said Worrell.

"What we will primarily be doing is getting young talent in Grand Bahama and giving them the opportunity to come to the foreground."

With artist stipulations to include highlighting positive Bahamian content, Worrell stressed that the music must be strictly original.

"We are going to insist that both lyrics and music be original. We are looking for one of a kind music because we do not want work that has been altered or re-mixed," he said.

"We wanted to make this something that is going to capture the imagination of persons as much as possible."

Other regulations he said, entail that all entrants be Bahamian and have no current nor previous music contract.

"Excluded are those persons who have or have had a calling contract as well as those who substantially earn their income from the entertainment field," he said.

"Also, performances must be at least 30 seconds, but should not exceed 90 seconds in duration. Any entry not in compliance will be disqualified."

Worrell also encourages interested individuals to pick up forms at the hardware store so that applicants can see changes made by the company over the past years.

"We are going to encompass the elements of GB Millwork while entrants get to see what we are all about," he said.

"We have gone through a metamorphosis over the last two years and we want people to see that."

The general manager also encouraged school sectors and church choirs to enter, citing that participants of a certain school can enter individually.

With the winning entry to be announced Wednesday, December 20, at 4:00 p.m. Worrell said that GB Millwork have already made plans to make the contest a continual endeavour.

"This is likely to be a continuous effort on our part," he said. "Next year we might be looking for something else because GB Millwork will actively be supportive of music."