BELAIR--Singer Dion Gumbs launched his debut CD to a packed house of family, friends and supporters on Friday.
The young local man was praised for following his dreams and setting a trend for talented St. Maarten men and women to follow.
The 11-track gospel offering "Because of His Love" features original songs that Gumbs' mother Bernice said had been "seven years in the making."
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards called Gumbs a role model for his peers, saying that young people should aspire to explore their talents and live their dreams.
Commissioner William Marlin commended Gumbs, who, without being asked, made a jingle for Marlin's National Alliance (NA) political party for the 2007 lections. Talking about his daughter's decision to drop academics for the Arts, Marlin said he regretted not having encouraged her desire to follow dance.
Bernice Gumbs reminisced that her son had started singing in the church choir when he was eight years old. Now 25, Gumbs is living out his passion and his parents and two sisters are proud of him.
Fans and friends scribbled encouraging words and congratulations on a poster of Gumbs' face. Gumbs and his "No Name Band" performed the songs live.
