With a degree in economics from Kingston University in London, Chris DeMontague could have pursued a different path but has his focus set on making it in the music business as a singer.
"The day after I did my last exam, I headed straight for Jamaica," DeMontague confessed, admitting that he pursued his degree just so "I have it, but music is my real profession".
For those who attended the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in January, Chris DeMontague took the Heineken stage and made it his own.
"That night was special for me. I felt happy and excited with the reception I got when I performed," DeMontague said in an interview with the Observer.
Born in South London, he has been "back and forth" between England and Jamaica from as far back as he can remember. The singing bug bit the youngster at age six and saw him being a part of the youth choir at the SDA church he attended.
DeMontague says his musical style is basically giving a "touch of everything -- pop, R&B, Reggae, jazz. I'm flexible," he said.
He is so focused on making a career out of singing that he is not even considering a second option.
And while he admits the field can be competitive and hard to break into, DeMontague is convinced that with the right material and "creating good songs that people can relate to", he will achieve his goal.
"It's all about the song, arrangement, mechanics and lyrics that stick" -- ingredients he is working with to make his name in the biz.
With that in mind, DeMontague has aligned himself to some of the best talents in the industry and is working with producers such as Manuel Seal Jr who has produced for Usher and Mariah Carey; J Vibes who has worked with artistes like Keyshia Cole, as well as Jerry Flowers, who is also a producer for artistes such as Keith Sweat and Jewel.
Looking ahead, DeMontague says in five years' time he hopes to be a household name worldwide, touching people with good music.
Another dream of his is to perform at the Q2 Arena in England -- the same venue Michael Jackson should have had his 'This Is It' performance.
Since his emergence on the scene, DeMontague has been making a lot of strides. Last year he performed at International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta and received high praises from the executive director and founder of the event, Terry Bello, who was qouted as saying, "I had over 150 artistes, and 2500 people from all over the globe attending my event -- and it was Chris Demontague that had the whole convention buzzing."
Terry added: "People from London, Japan, and here in the USA ran up to me asking, 'who is that young guy from Jamaica that sounded a little like Sam Cooke... but even better and hipper'?"
DeMontague is presently working on his debut album which he hopes will be ready soon.
Among the tracks to be included are Best Thing, Once In a Lifetime, I Lost Your Number, Girls Around The World and Missing You, which he has already released as a single.



BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer staff reporter