Official Bio

On warm tropical evenings, there was one place a young Wayne Stoddart could surely be found – hiding in his father’s vast vinyl record collection. Immersing himself into the scenic soundscape of American Rock and Roll or rocking himself steady to the soothing heartbeat of authentic Jamaican Reggae, Wayne Stoddart loved listening to music.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Wayne enjoyed the comforts of a family that loved music. Touring as one half of the “Stoddart Brothers” (a group he formed with his brother Steve), Wayne spent his high school years honing his skills both as a vocalist and a musician.

Despite the upbeat and lively music he would play, Wayne was fully aware of his surrounding conditions. Living deep in the inner city community of Eastern Kingston, Wayne witnessed firsthand the stifling effects of despair, injustice, hurt and hopelessness.

From the complexities of his surrounding environment, Wayne Stoddart learned the importance of hope, love and joy and realized that music was a medium, which can be used as an effective way of imparting messages of hope to listeners. As an artist, Wayne consciously chooses to pen lyrics that address the “issue of misplaced priorities that plague humanity.” He strives to craft lyrics that strike a balance between relevant and heartfelt; catchy and sincere.

His dedication to authentic musicianship in crafting each and every single track he releases has gained him recognition internationally, including winning the Distinguished Male Vocal award at the 2003 Marlin Gospel Awards as well as a 2002 nomination for Best New Reggae Gospel album at the New York Caribbean Gospel Awards. The title track form his self-produced solo debut, “Committed” (2001) spent 8 weeks at number one on Jamaica’s Love 101FMs top 10 chart.

Now a resident of Florida, Wayne continues to offer authentic reggae vibes to listeners with his sophomore release “Love Convictions” (2007) – a collection of soulful, bass thumping tracks with his signature uplifting inspirational lyrics.

Before beginning work on “Love Convictions” Wayne spent months in prayer and reading Holy Scripture. The result was a revelation which he puts simply as “Love. At the root of everything is love. Love in abundance or Lacking Love.” A simple message which Wayne Stoddart uses to lyrically address hard hitting issues – tackling topics like drug abuse, global disunity and the need for persistence in the face of adversity.
With more than twenty years of experience as a musician and vocalist Stoddart quickly points out, “Music is not a career for me. It’s a passion, a calling.” A calling he takes seriously.
Having shared the stage with some of the most renowned musical artists such as the Grace Thrillers, Shirley Caesar, F.C. Barnes, Morgan Heritage and Gospel Reggae’s First Lady Judy Mowatt (formerly a member of Bob Marley’s I-Threes), Wayne has had the opportunity to touch many with his musical style and uplifting words.
When asked about his music, Wayne simply states “I pray that it makes a difference in the lives of all who come within earshot.”

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...
Wayne: I was born in Kingston Jamaica and migrated to Trelawny a more rural area in Jamaica. Away from the hustle and bustle of Kingston, there really wasn't very much to do in Trelawny. I literally grew up in the church since most of the events, entertainment and activities were organized through the church. Most days I could be found in the hall at Haddington New Testament Church of God where I learned to play 4 instruments: drums, keyboard, bass and guitar. Like most artists, my love for music was sparked at a young age. My father had a wide collection of music, everything from Gospel to R&B, Rock n' Roll to Jazz and of course Reggae - you name it he had it. But with the good memories there also came some hardship. When I was 13 and my brother Steve was 14, my father migrated to the United States for a better life. Despite this change, and without parental supervision Steve and I finished high school and graduated. We were determined not to let external circumstances that we couldn't control, control us.I've lived in a number of places while growing up including the Eastern Kingston ghetto and Vineyard Town. All of these expereinces have added to the content in my music, if you listen carefully you can hear what I experienced and learned growing up.

GR: How did you begin doing music?
Wayne: It's hard not to become engrossed in music when music is all around you. When I was in elementary school, I think it was grade 4, I performed a famous pop song in front of the class, singing and doing the dance moves. I remember the cheers from the crowd. I remember how it felt to have the connection with an audience. After that day, I knew the stage is where I belonged. Steve and I created the "Stoddart Brothers" and started singing and performing together.

GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would it be?
Wayne: Definitely Bob Marley and the Wailers. One looooooove......

GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, if that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?
Wayne: Asking me to choose my favorite song from my compositions is like asking me to choose my favorite child of all my kids. Like every child is unique, each song I ever wrote is from a special place and all fits together as a whole. Like the bible every word ever verse, every chapter is connected and relevant to create a great package. If I was to play just one song for 5 minutes I would play Love in Any Language. It is the latest message that God has given me and it embraces the greatest commandment Love for each other and love for God.

GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?
Wayne: Sam Cooke – Portrait of a Legend, Motown Classics, Legend - Bob Marley, The Bible Experience and Hillsong - Shout to the Lord

GR. What is the wickedest riddim that you never rode upon?
Wayne: I am not really a riddim artist really. My philosophy is that music / instrumentation is an accompaniment to a lyrical composition so it must be unique for each song. However, I have worked with Dr. Dizzle (Dale Virgo) who is a riddim specialist and I would say from a riddim standpoint Highest Praise arrangement (which was created around the song and now gone riddim) is my favorite riddim that I have been on

GR: Read any good books lately?
Wayne: Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren, Battlefield of the Mind - Joyce Myers and of course the Bible

GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
Wayne: I particularly love where the apostle Paul said 1Co 9:19-23 Although I am free from all people, I made myself a slave to all of them to win more of them. (20) To the Jews I became like a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became like a man under the law, in order to win those under the law (although I myself am not under the law). (21) To those who do not have the law I became like a man who does not have the law, in order to win those who do not have the law (although I am not free from God's law, but am under the law of Christ). (22) To the weak I became weak in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some of them. (23) I do all this for the sake of the gospel in order to have a share in its blessings. I believe to remain effective we must become sensitive to the taste and tendencies of the world that we seek to evangelize so we can meet them on their level and win all people for God’s Kingdom.

GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you.
Wayne: I don't know about what fans do or do not know about me. But some interesting and little known facts are that I completed an Associate Degree in Accounting and Business Administration in Jamaica AND when I came to Florida I also earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Technical Management. Not what most people expect from a musician or artist!

GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.
Wayne: My family: my wife and my two kids… I consider myself blessed to have a great wife and beautiful children.

GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?
Wayne: Spanish Town Prison Oval, Jamaica over 8000 people worshiping and jammin’ to sanctified roots reggae.

GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn’t get paid to perfom)?
Wayne: Africa

GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??
Wayne: Definitely on the road. Everytime on stage brings me back to my grade 4 performance. I can connect with the audience. I desire to connect with the audience so that I can speak to them about something that perhaps nobody has ever told them or they have never fully realized. They are loved deeply by someone....Jesus. The studio is great, but there's something about live performance, I get energized and the audience get energized as well. In the end we all connect.

GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?
Wayne: A new Music Video for the song Love in Any Language from the Love Convictions Album to be released April 2008. The new project starts late 2008-2009 as I am currently touring Love Convictions

GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?
Wayne: Selfish ambition without Godly objective or purpose can become aimless and potentially destructive.
Wayne Stoddart seeks to take and apostle approach towards spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. We therefore seek pastors, promoters, DJ, music industry professional, fans and friends and Christians worldwide who desire to bring back sound doctrinal message to the music to partner with the band to get us into your community to minister undiluted roots reggae gospel and win the lost for Jesus.

Ministry

Ministry Statement: “I am here to repossess reggae to build the Kingdom of God."
– Wayne Stoddart

Discography

Love Convictions CD (2007)
Committed (Street Mix Edition) - 2006
Boomshots: Best of the Underground (2005)
Roots Gospel Vol. 1 (2004)
Reggae Redemption (2003)
Committed (2001)
Fulfillment (1996)

		Wayne Stoddart Love Convictions				Wayne Stoddart Committed

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

Artist's Official Website: http://www.waynestoddart.com
Artist's E-mail address: waynstoddart@gmail.com
Artist's Booking contact:Denver Sutherland, Phone: 954-655-6211email: undilutedmuzik@gmail.com, http://www.myspace.com/waynestoddart
Artist's direct phone number : 954-917-7983

Official EMail:

undilutedmuzik@gmail.com,

Official Website:

http://www.waynestoddart.com

Photos