P.G.’s Gareth Jacobs Teaches Belize to Sing on KTV the Remix

Gareth Jacobs….he is a finalist in KTV, the Remix and has been entertaining the public for the last several weeks of competition.  Other than the fact that he is from Toledo, you might not know a lot about this artist.  Jacobs has been singing for a little over ten years and is quite the celebrity in his home-town, but outside of his music, he is also a teacher. Gareth grew up with his parents and four brothers whom he cites as the people closest to him. His mother is a retired teacher and his father is a pastor, so he grew up in the church surrounded by music that helped to shape his talent. Artists he admires include Adele, Jesus Culture and Stig da Artist. We went to Toledo over the weekend to speak with Gareth. News Five’s Andrea Polanco has more.

Gareth Jacobs

Gareth Jacobs, KTV Finalist

“I sing every single moment of the day. It is annoying because my friends are like, ‘ do you ever stop singing or dancing?’ I am like, ‘no, it is a part of me.’”

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

Gareth Jacobs is a twenty-five-year old teacher at a private School in Punta Gorda, but he moonlights as an artist. He grew up in church with parents who sing and play instruments, so music came naturally to Gareth. But it wasn’t until right before high school that he realized his voice was well received by the public.

Gareth Jacobs

“During my elementary school years – primary school – I wasn’t singing much. I didn’t know I have a voice until about standard six I was about to graduate and they asked me to sing at the graduation and I was like, ‘me?’ Then I tried the song and everybody fell in love with it, my voice and stuff and I was like ‘okay, cool’ and from there it started off.”

Kristy Martin, Best Friend & Cousin

“Me and him used to get sticks and pretend we sing all the time growing up and people would often ask us to do weddings and he would do me to do the ‘From This Moment’ song. He asked me to sing at a lot of weddings. Gareth, he is the performer, he likes to sing and perform and I, on the hand, don’t like to perform. He would …perfect his vocals and dancing and stuff like that.”

Kristy Martin

Gareth Jacobs

“It is a talent that God gave me, so I use it. I love being up there and blessing others with my voice. They say your voice is blessing, we love it. That is what pushes me and inspires me to do it.”

Gareth is from Jacintoville – a small village of less than four hundred residents located on the outskirts of Punta Gorda Town in the Toledo District. Having a voice like Gareth’s meant that he became an instant hit with the villagers and the wider Toledo community. And to this day the community supports Gareth as he competes for the title of KTV, the Remix.

Zelda Rose Tanner

Zelda Rose Tanner, Co-worker

“Gareth is a humble person.  If they ever need help, Gareth gives music lessons to younger kids. He gives clothes to people. He does a lot for his community.   He has always been seen as a celebrity in Punta Gorda because even if the Minister’s wife died they would get him to sing. For queen pageants they would get him to sing. So, I think his career is just building up.”

Andrea Polanco

“You’ve been singing for quite a while; why now?”

Gareth Jacobs

“Well, I have been watching the show for a couple years now and I hear the people sing and I am like, hmmm, I could do that and maybe do more than that. So, let me try this year. I had to go all the way to Belmopan because they didn’t do auditions down here and that was for fun. I just think this was the right year for me.  The support is awesome. It is awesome here in my village Jacintoville. Anywhere I go, they are like, ‘Hey, Gareth, you are doing a good job. Keep it up. Keep it up. We are voting.’ So, it is awesome. Sometimes through the storm they are turning on their TV and they are like ‘Oh God, you almost made us lose our TV because we are watching you because it is like storming right now but we are watching you.’”

The journey to the coveted title of KTV: The Remix hasn’t been an easy one for Gareth, but the Toledo resident has proven to be a top contender for the title as a finalist. As his childhood best friend and cousin puts it – Gareth has put in the work.

Kristy Martin

“He more than deserves the title. Coming from such a small town, it’s like what dah bwai from south doing up there, yuh know? And he doesn’t have big support, so all his friends and his family try to chip in, chip in and every little bit counts you know. So, I think where he is today if anybody deserves to win, I think Gareth Jacobs does – he really deserves it because he really worked for it. If there is anything I can say about Gareth Jacobs it is the three Ds. First it starts with his desire. He had the desire to sing. He really wanted to sing. And then second he had the dedication. He will dedicate himself to KTV and every week catch bus, sleep here, sleep there. And third was determination. He was determined he was gonna make it in the top 4. He was determined that I am gonna get these votes even if I shame and I am gonna stand up by the bust stop and try to get money.”

For this artist, the competition is a way for him to gain exposure and promote his music because he plans to go in to the studio once KTV: The Remix is over

Gareth Jacobs

“Definitely work on some music. I do have some couple songs already. I just need to record them now. I met an awesome producer, I can’t remember his name right now, but he was the producer for the song ‘Moving On’ that I just did. So, I definitely plan to do something with those. Definitely.”

Andrea Polanco

“Now, the big prize is ten thousand dollars. Do you have any plans for that money?”

Gareth Jacobs

“A lot. And apparently a lot of people do have plans for that money too because they are always saying, ‘this is what we are going to do with the money if you win. But definitely put that into music, into charity and into giving my parents and helping them out.   This whole journey has taught me to be so humble. Humble for each person for what they have done for me – the little that they have they take and support me and I don’t take that lightly. Because I know how hard life is right now.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.