Byron beats the odds
2006-05-18
Chrystal Welgemoed
“YOUNGSTERS should ignore negativity, and dare to dream. Think big and you will grow,” says Byron January (20) of Paarl, who has just released his first solo CD, ‘In the Bin’.
“People around me have always said that I would never be able to launch a CD of my own, that it was impossible. I have proven them all wrong!
“I dedicate my CD to all those who doubted me,” says a proud Byron, an ex-scholar of Charleston Hill Primary and Klein Nederburg Secondary. It took him two months to record the R&B CD.
He began his singing career at the age of four.
In 2002 and 2003 he was a Coca-Cola Popstars contestant and a member of the band N’trigue which won the title for best singing group of the Western Cape.
Byron was at one stage also a member of the band called Gemini.com, but these days he prefers to fly solo.
Byron comes from a very musical family. His brother is a member of different music groups and his mother gives singing lessons at home.
He admits that without the support of his mother it would have been very difficult to accomplish his dream.
“My mother has taught me so much: for example how to balance my voice and breathing techniques - the rest was self taught.
“My mother is also my biggest fan,” says Byron.
“She is the funkiest woman I know, she even calls herself ‘Slim Shady’,” he grins from ear to ear.
“The lyrics for the CD were written by a very close friend of mine, Christaline Dampies.
“The musical side was created by Peter John and my manager, Gustav Skippers - together we created a masterpiece.
“I had music for breakfast, lunch and supper, even as a snack while doing it, but all the long hours paid off.”
Byron’s next goal is to release a full album in a few months’ time.
“We are all extremely proud of Byron,” says his manager, Gustav
Skippers.
“He has grown from a boy band look-alike to a solo artist and is going from strength to strength as we speak.”
Byron works in Wellington at the Silwerkruin old age home as a male nurse.
“I love working with the senior citizens and one day when I have enough money, I would like to open up my own retirement centre and build a disco on the top floor for them,” chuckles Byron.
For enquirie, contact Gustav at 076-541-6657 or 868-4972.
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