SINGLE BORN FROM TRIALS TO PREMIERE APRIL 26 ON YOUTUBE
OCHO RIOS, St Ann; April 18, 2026
The last ten months or so have been momentous ones for Deveta Dowling. First, in June 2025, she aced the Miss St Ann Festival Queen contest and took the crown. Then, in January 2026, she graduated from UTECH with a Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifery, and now she’s on the verge of launching a music career, the seeds of which germinated nearly five years ago.
(Deveta shows fixity of purpose)
The current Miss St Ann Festival Queen, from Parry Town, 29-year-old Ms Dowling, is about to launch her religious single “Draw Me Close To You” to be premiered on YouTube on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3 p.m.
The single has been long in the making, coming out of Deveta’s personal struggles that peaked in 2021. “In 2021, I was going through a very difficult time with school and life generally. I was in school [UTECH] with financial challenges, and a whole lot of stuff was happening to me. So I was feeling really discouraged and overwhelmed at the time.”
(Contemplative Deveta)
Miss Dowling, a woman of faith and member of the Bethel Tabernacle, Ocho Rios, had difficulties even praying. But she did turn to God. “I remember asking God to inspire me with a song. I like to express myself by writing poems or with a song.”
The inspiration came, and the words too. She used her phone to record the words of the two verses of the song, now set to be released. Later, with help from her church mentor, musician Pitts Williams, they came up with the chorus and bridge to add to the two inspired verses for “Draw Me Close To You”.
Others were assisting along the way, including her mother, Pauline Peters and close friend Andre Morris, amongst other supporters. Courick Clarke is the Producer of the song.
Deveta has known for years that she has some talent in singing. She says the first ideas came when she was in the choir at Marcus Garvey Technical High, “I realized that I had a little thing [for singing],” she told the North Coast Times.
Her all-time favourite Gospel artiste is Glacia Robinson
Deveta believes this is the “perfect time” to release the song and launch her music career.
“I have been trying to get it out for a while…but financial issues and other challenges were there. Then I had to focus on my life. There was school and then [Miss Jamaica] Festival. Now is just the perfect time,” she said.
(Deveta Dowling, after the coronation in June 2025, as Miss St Ann Festival Queen)
For her, the song is precious and an instrument of praise to God. “The song is a testimony; it really touched me, and I think it will inspire a lot of people to draw closer to the Lord. It brings out the emotions of the time, and it’s a replica of what I was going through. It’s an inspiration not just now but for the future,” she says.
The Gospel recording artiste believes the song will do wonders for others. “I hope the song will inspire everyone who hears it… Anyone depressed, confused, overwhelmed, grieving… will be truly inspired by the song.”
The song – ‘Draw Me Close To You’ will premiere on YouTube on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 3 pm.
YouTube Channel Name: Deveta Dowling Music
Socials: Deveta Dowling Music (TikTok, Instagram and YouTube)
HERE IS A TASTE:
