Richie Stephens & Mama Carmen– Love, Family and the Music

He’s a Jamaican artiste with a strong yet smooth voice and lots of international appeal and credentials. He’s been around the world and has graced the stage with the likes of Dennis Brown, Luther Vandross and Patti Labelle. But even after producing 12 albums, copping many awards and thrilling countless fans, Richie Stephens remains grounded in the joy of performing side by side with the woman who brought him into this world.

Richie Stephens and his mother Carmen Farquharson, Mama Carmen, as she is affectionately called, have become an endearing mother-son duo. Their very presence together on any stage is beyond the harmonious blending of sweet vocals – it’s a reinforcement of the strength of family ties and a symbol of love.

“It’s great to be able to sing with my son, it’s like a miracle,” gushed Mama Carmen, whose smile conveyed much more than her words ever could. For Richie, it was difficult to find the words to adequately capture what it means to be able to perform with his mother.

“All I know is that it’s a wonderful thing to be out there on the stage with my mother…it’s me and the lady who carried me for nine months and nurtured me throughout life. I can’t find the words to describe it for you to understand exactly.”

Four years ago, “Mama’s Blessing” was the first recording they did together. According to Richie, it had been a while coming, and since he is now in the position to make it happen, it has been more than wonderful.

“My mother is blessed with a voice that I know is pure and true. Being a single mother of five children in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland, the chances were slim for her, but now I’m proud to have my mother shine beside me and it’s really like living out a dream by performing on special occasions.”

Mama Carmen reflected on hearing Richie sing at age 12, when the quality of his voice resonated pleasantly in her ear. The eldest of her five children, he was never short of encouragement to pursue his dreams. She admitted that the road was hard for her as a single mother, but she ensured that all her children grew up in the right way, with the help of God.

“I grew up tough but there were some lessons that I learned along the way from Mama. No matter how tough it is we just give thanks to the Almighty for what we have and keep on pressing on….maintaining all decency and honesty,” said the man born Richard Stephenson in praise of the way his mother raised him. On the strength of his upbringing and character, he has managed to forge a strong path through the music industry. It started out as just singing for friends and at community concerts and it has now taken him across the globe. The love of the music is what he says continues to motivate him.

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