News
“Jack” says search on for the next TCI Voice; weekly show aims to unearth talent
By Shanieka Smith
Features Writer
#TurksandCaicos, April 26, 2022 – “Music is one of the most powerful tools that we have, not just for marketing… but also to kind of tackle some of the social issues that we may have.”
These are the words from a fervid and well known Turks and Caicos musician, who shared that music has changed his life. Recording Artiste and producer, Jack Lightbourne is the inspiration behind TCI Voice, the newest talent show in the island in search of new music talents.
TCI Voice, however, is more than a talent show, the idea behind the talent show and the intention going forward stem from a level of care and consideration for the development of Turks and Caicos Islands.
“It is really a community project that is designed to really go throughout the community and discover talent – hidden talent… for some of those [talents], it may be one of the only opportunities that they have at making a major move in their lives to really boost their confidence and interpersonal skills as well,” expressed Lightbourne.
It goes deeper than an individual based project, Lightbourne intends for TCI Voice to be one of the music projects in TCI to tackle some social issues.
“And we are trying to get the government to recognize that music is a very powerful tool for a destination like the Turks and Caicos,” he added.
Lightbourne said the TCI has not yet tipped the iceberg when it comes on to investing in the music industry. The government, he said, overlooks music and puts little emphasis on music and culture.
“The government needs to understand how powerful music is, not just for an individual, but for an entire nation, to really see the benefits of it, and start to invest not just thousands but millions of dollars into developing music because of the tourism implications,” he reiterated.
The official search for talent began on Wednesday April 6 and has been going on every Wednesday evening at 7:30 at the Karaoke Bar and Grill.
Each week, the talents go through a process of elimination. The winner in the end will be given the opportunity to meet with professional recording personnel: engineers, writers, producers, some are grammy winners. Some of these professionals are from the United States, there is one from Trinidad and Tobago.
All the professionals will give the winner of TCI Voice an insight into what it is like to make a song. The winner will also get a single deal, where they are able to record their own song.
Lightbourne profoundly expressed that it is not about perfection, it’s about potential. This view is one of the major reason why anyone with music talent can be a part of TCI Voice; no audition is required.
“We already know our industry is small and undeveloped so we are not trying to put too much pressure on people to be perfect… if you discover their ability, you can still work with them,” he said.
He further expressed, “everywhere has talent, black people are talented and what we are trying to do is give that talent an opportunity. Most of the time we see talent being used in churches [and] talent shows. But we really don’t have a well-established music industry where we can take that talent and have it organised in a professional way.”
TCI Voice is a rare opportunity for people who can sing to become professionals. Hence, the idea behind the name TCI Voice itself – the voices are already in the TCI and it’s just for them to be heard and nurtured.
“We need our own voice; it’s about time that the focus becomes Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos music. We have been neglecting that aspect of music. We haven’t been focused on us, we’ve been focusing on promoting every other culture except ours,” said Lightbourne as he highlighted that the music industry in the TCI has been centred around cover bands.
As such, the production side of music has been ignored. He explained that production is really what should be exploited.
“We need to dig out songs from these artists, from these musicians and have them move towards the professional side of this industry, where the money is, where the marketing is, and where the business is strong,” he said.
This will in turn establish a strong brand of music in and from the TCI and will also bring a worldwide awareness of the island.
Along with Lightbourne, the 43 year old recording artist and producer from Grand Turk, a few other people made the show come to life.
TCI Voice is being done through Paradise Beachfront Productions, one of the only professional recording studios on island. It is owned by Lightbourne and caters to international recording artists who visit the island.
Lightbourne shared that for the talent show, they are working with the Dept of Culture, the Tourist Board, Flow TCI, Provo Travel, and David’s Karaoke Bar and Grill, who hosts the event weekly.
Prior to the first TCI Voice on April 6, the team held a music workshop. Everyone on the island was able to attend and see firsthand what it is like in the music industry.
Lightbourne speaks fervidly about TCI Voice, and so far, the talent show seems to be running successfully. It will go on every Wednesday until the finale on Saturday, May 7. The show is live for viewing but is also aired on facebook at Jack Music TCI and on Instagram at Paradise Beachfront Productions.
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.
On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.
The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.
A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.
Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.
Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.
“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems. If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”
The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:
- One Count Possession of Firearm
- One Count Possession of Ammunition
- One Count Robbery
- One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence
Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.
Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025. Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)
After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections. Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5 of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.
An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7. The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.
Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc
The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/
All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.
The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:
See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]
ED 1 – Grand Turk North ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay
Fulford’s Gas Station IGA Supermarket
Sunny Food Store (West Road) Do-it-Centre
Durham’s Home Centre Sunny Foods
John Missick Bar (West Road) Grand Turk Library
Shop Rite Grocery Store Grand Turk International Airport
Things Galore Store (Over Back) DC’s Office Salt Cay
A&H Hair Supply (Over Back) Community Centre (Salt Cay)
Fishermen Paradise (Over Back) Grand Turk Liquors
Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street) Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)
ED 3 – South Caicos ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos
Airport Terminal Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar
District Commissioner’s Office Community Centre, Bambarra
Seaview Marina Government Clinic, Lorimers
Super value Supermarket Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek
G & H Enterprise Kevin’s Enterprise
Government Treasury Digicel Store Bottle Creek
Community Centre Kew
Community Centre Whitby
Community Centre Sandy Point
ED 5 – Leeward ED – 6 The Bight
Sand Castle Convenience Store Ocean Club Convenience Store
TCI Ferry Service Ocean Club Convenience Store
IBO Store Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store
Rick’s Flamingo Café Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart
Rubis Gas Station
Grace way Gourmet Supermarket
Rubis Gas Station Longbay
ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill ED – 8 Blue Hills
The Library Keyse’s Variety Store
Grant’s Gas Station Publo Wash House
The Post Office Chicken Shack
Betty’s Store Kew Town The African Store
Black’s Store Kew Town Grace Variety Store
Chinson’s Grill Shack Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners
Discount Liquors G K Supermarket
Provo Discount Store Parker’s Variety Party Store
Building Material Do-It-Centre
Grace way IGA Supermarket
ED 9 – Five Cays ED 10 – Wheeland
Mackey’s Automotive Froggies on the Beach
Kitch’s Restaurant Frank’s Store 4U
Hole in the Wall Restaurant Red Zone Variety Store
Gilly’s Café International Airport
Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service
Walkin Service Station
Liz Bakery
Caicos Oil Mart
Lister Dudley Lewis
Supervisor of Elections
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