Shirley Willis to sing her ‘freedom song’ for Cayman
Shirley Willis
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
On 13 August, at the Lion’s Centre, Shirley Willis, the famous Jamaican
gospel singer who also has years of international acclaim, will show Cayman
the “new Shirley” and perform her most treasured piece.
Shirley has placed a priority ‘one’ mark especially against the song
entitled “I Am Free” in her repertoire because the piece speaks to her very
own extreme makeover, inside and outside, and carries a particular message for
women.
The name Shirley Willis is one that has been linked to her rich alto voice
– a voice that stood for some thirty years in the forefront of performances by
one of Jamaica’s premier singing groups, The Grace Thrillers.
“I am visiting the Cayman Islands, again, at an important and wonderful
period in my life. I have performed in Cayman before, but only as a member of
the Grace Thrillers. I began my solo Ministry approximately two years ago when
I left The Grace Thrillers. So, this is the first time I am visiting Cayman by
myself and I am so excited about it.
“I started singing with the Grace Thrillers when I was 21 years old so it
is a group I grew with and one that I love. However, I have been through some
valleys in my life and part of the change that has come while the Lord matured
me through the difficult times is a greater sense of freedom in how I worship.
This freedom is mental and spiritual and it shows in all areas of my life.”
Shirley, who has added a look of sophisticated glamour that will be new for
most of the Cayman community that has not seen her for quite a few years,
explained, “The turnaround in my life also includes how I take care of my
body.
“In the song ‘I Am Free’ I speak to everyone, but in particular, to women
who may feel that once they have been hurt in life they are down and out.
Weaky, weaky, women can gain strength through His Grace. They should let God
rule in their lives, and not difficult employers or problem husbands.”
Shirley says she has been singing from age 12, when “My Daddy, a Minister
of the Gospel, would take me around with him. Throughout the years I have
performed in Canada and in parts of the United States, including New York. I
have also performed in London and in Caribbean countries.”
An educator in her early years, Shirley explained, “I attended college just
after High School and did Business Studies, including accounting. After that I
started a Preparatory school on my father’s veranda. I then went on teach at a
public primary school. However, by that time I had begun singing with the
group and touring was taking so much out of me that I had to give up teaching.
“I then settled down to my full-time Ministry through music, got married
and had three children who are now twenty-three, twenty-one and eighteen,
respectively. The eldest has just completed his degree in music at Bethune-Cookman
University in Florida. My daughter, who is next in age, is currently doing
Pre-Med studies at the same University, after which she will begin her degree
in medicine at Howard University. My youngest, a boy, is also at Bethune-Cookman.
On my CD that has fourteen pieces, all my three children perform the song “I
Am Free’ with me.”
Maxwell and Beryl Solomon, a security guard and practical nurse,
respectively, are the local promoters for the show. A first-time effort for
them, Mr Solomon said, “This show is the result of a vision I received just
before I was baptised two years ago. In pursuit of the vision I needed to
start a children’s ministry. I am a born Caymanian and there are some strange
things happening with children that I have never seen before.
“It took a while for me to organise this show, what with having to use my
own money from my full-time job, as well as trying to raise funds. My wife,
who is Jamaican, was able to make the contact with Mrs Willis.
“We hope to include some local songsters on the programme but it will be
mainly Mrs Willis and her back-up harmony singers as well as her four
musicians, who will be performing many items.
“We hope that ticket sales will exceed eight hundred and even go up to one
thousand as we intend to put the money towards children’s projects.”
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