It was a joyous day for 22-year-old Jone Draveisau when his group Miramira Kei Naocobele released their first album on Friday.

The Nasasa native from Macuata said this was all made possible through the guidance of veteran artist, Jerry Vakawaletabua.

Vakawaletabua who hails from Tovu, Totoya in Lau was of the Serau Kei Mataniselala fame where he sang along with then vude heavyweight Sekope Raikoro.

“I always sit around during grog sessions in the village to listen to the men sing,” Draveisau recalled.

“I was interested and as time moved on I began to gain confident and joined them during singing sessions.”

Draveisau said his breakthrough came when his group was invited to sing in another village.

“There was a function going on and it was there that Jerry heard me sing for the first time. He encouraged me and offered to help me improve my singing. I accepted it and never looked back.”

Draveisau said for good things to happen in life there are always challenges that come with it.

He pointed out that the first hurdle that came his way was finance.

“For me a villager, money was always an issue. It was not easy especially when recording my first album. So I turned to farming and also did a few fundraising events to raise money. I had to struggle for every penny in order to make this recording.”  Draveisau said he is aware of piracy but has faith that Government would implement hefty penalties and for police to arrest the perpetrators and take them to court.

“I believe with tougher penalties it is going to scare these people who are doing piracy.” He said if this is done it is going to revive the country’s music industry and a lot of hidden talents would be unearthed.

“Now I’m asking the people of Fiji to please support me by buying original CDs of this album from any Procera Music outlet in the country.

“I’m also grateful to God for giving me such talent. Also, a big thank you to Jerry and my manager, Lekima Lalakobau for guiding me through the ropes. To all my peers please make use of your God given talent and hope you’ll enjoy listening to my first album,” he added.

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