Music
Press
This year, 2006, Walk Gud album is being nominated for Top CD Male - Top Performer Male - Top Rapper DJ - Top Rapper.
2nd Chance won the category for Top Caribbean Gospel New Artist Male
- Hopeton Lewis Gospel Award
Most Christians maintain that you cannot be lost once you are saved. Unfortunately, some Christians fall by the wayside or, as Jamaicans put it, 'tun back'.
Ewart 'Second Chance' Blake had his moments of rebellion and his return to the fold is like the story of the Prodigal Son.
"It was just like a falling-out with your household and you just move on. It was not a choice, but a predicament. I was out at the club dancing, partying and having a good time and it was just like a light shine down on my shoes and my pants. It's like He was telling me those are the same shoes and pants I used to minister in," Second Chance said.
Second Chance said he had a revelation and he left the club immediately and ran three miles home in New York's blistering cold. After all, this was not his regular way of life. Second Chance was born in Clarendon and grew up going to church. The music there was great and he fell in love with the beat at an early age, the love continuing through high school. The time came when the United States seemed like it had more to offer, so he migrated in 1989.
Local church groups
Music was still his love and by attending the Berean Church of God in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he began to feel more comfortable on stage. Second Chance sang in local church groups, the community and in other local area churches. This built his confidence and helped him to produce his first album, Mission Fi God, in 1998, with his group, The Blake Band.
"My greatest problems were with production and getting financial support from the people around me. It was a time when, even the church reggae gospel, was taking a hit," Second Chance said.
While that period is not entirely behind him, he is making strides on the scene. His sophomore album won the Hopeton Lewis Award for Best New Male Caribbean/ American Artist of the year. He has performed in Puerto Rico. The Bahamas, Canada and around the United States.
The Lord inspired Second Chance to go to another level by facing major changesand experiences in his life which helped, matured and encouraged him to write songs on a deeper and more spiritual level. In January this year, he met Dale Virgo, a young producer who was impressed with his talent and produced his soon-to-be-released third album, Walk Gud.
The Lord has been blessing Blake's life, his ministry, his wife Yvonne and their three daughters, Alexia, Sophia, and Denise. He and his family live in Ft Lauderdale and Second Chance now works as a office manager while juggling music on what he calls a "full-time part-time" basis.
- Jamaica Gleaner
Discography
1998-Mission Fi God
2004-Hold On
2008-Walk Gud
2008-Heavenly Highway
2009-May Pen Medley Live
2010-Just A Little While
2012-Blessings
Photos
Bio
At a young age music became his first love and at the time, was only interested in just playing it. As he got older he realized he enjoyed singing just as much.
"The Children of Light", "Zamar", and "Blake Band" were the names of the local groups he led and was a part of. 2nd Chance has been blessed with the opportunity to perform in places such as Puerto Rico, Canada, Cayman Islands, and around the United States. He has shared stages with other artists such as Shelly Thunder, Tye Tribbett, Peninsilyn, Mikey Spice, Chevelle Franklin, Papa San, DJ Nicholas, Alvin Slaughter, Pettidee, Cece Winans and many others.
He recorded his first album entitled "Mission Fi God" in 1998 as part of the group the "Blake Band". His sophomore album "Hold On" was birthed in 2004 after coming through some major obstacles in life, thus changing his name to 2nd Chance, where his life is now a testimony of what God can do.
In January 2007, 2nd Chance met Dale Virgo ( aka Dr. Dizzle) whom he developed a personal and musical chemistry with, which brought about a challenge he had never yet taken up before in his life, i.e. completing an album in the period of 2 weeks. This album is entitled “Walk Gud”. Here, the new affiliation and link brought about a major change in Second Chance’s musical sound and Dr. Dizzle, brought out that new sound out of Second Chance. A few months later, it was déjà vu, Second Chance & Dr. Dizzle at it again, but the only difference is, Dr. Dizzle had Second Chance to play keyboards and bass on this fourth album entitled “Heavenly Highway” which features artistes like Dahlia Ashley & Duraine Ashley. Heavenly Highway is a compilation of songs taken directly from the Heavenly Highway hymnal which brings out the more worshipful and singing side of Second Chance. In 2009 2nd Chance went into his very own studio to produce his 5th album entitled May Pen Medley. The self titled track was inspired by his mother who always enjoyed listening to traditional gospel island music. This particular project is different because of the live instrumentation used on all the tracks. The May Pen medley song has gained unexpected popularity both locally and nationally. It was the #1 playing song on WICP Vision Gospel 104.7 FM (www.visiongospelfm.com) in South Florida.
Just A Little While is the 6th project and the second album produced out of Walk Gud Studios by 2nd Chance, bringing in a more contemporary Christian music experience.
This album and others can be purchased on CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com) Rainbow Records Variety Store in Lauderhill, Florida, Itunes, Rhapsody, GospelReggae.com and other digital websites.
Local/National/International Awards and Nominations:
2008:
Marlin Award Nomination for Adapted Traditional Recording of the Year for the song Hold My Hand feat Peninsilyn from the album Walk Gud
2009:
Song of the Year Award from the Love Gospel Radio Station in Association with G.A.D.T. International for the song May Pen Medley from self titled album
2010:
Hopeton Lewis Award for Top Caribbean Gospel Song of the Year for the song May Pen Medley from the self titled album
2011:
Kingdom Link/American Caribbean Gospel Music Awards (ACGMA)
Nominated for Best Song May Pen Medley from the self titled album
Award for Male Artist of the Year (www.kingdom-link.com)
2011:
Hopeton Lewis Award nomination for Top Caribbean Gospel Singer Male
2011:
Right Vibes Radio Award for Best Single of the Year Award for May Pen Medley from self titled album
2011:
South Florida Gospel Music Award (www.SFGMA,com) nomination for Best New Artist
2nd Chance can also be found on these albums:
2010 DJ Stereo Man presents Gospel Brigade Hold Up Your Head feat Twiggi
2011 MarJohn Muzik presents Next Level 2 with Abi AcDonald
2011 Gospel Rap Fan presents Speaking Volumes I Standing Up
You can follow him on
Twitter -2ndchance09,
Myspace-2ndcsecondchance,
Facebook- Mister2ndChance
Youtube- Walkgudpromotions or
Reverbnation-2ndchance08
Contact Info:
Ewart Blake
Yvonne Blake
Walkgud@yahoo.com
Links
