Ringo revives music career

FORGOTTEN Hwange-born musician Ringo Fosho is continuing to revive his musical career by releasing a 10-track gospel album Burning Bush.

FORGOTTEN Hwange-born musician Ringo Fosho is continuing to revive his musical career by releasing a 10-track gospel album Burning Bush.

NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENCE Fosho, who once shared the stage with the late American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor Andraé Crouch, renowned local musicians Christabel Dhukuche and the late Revonia Khumalo, had been struggling to record anything with his group The Joy in Christ since their first album Ndinzwei Tenzi in 2002.

Their next album Ngisebenzel’ Umoya would follow 11 years later in 2013. He blamed the economic hardships for their failure to make any recordings in 11 years.

“We have been trying to make a name for ourselves, but with the tough economic situation, we failed. In 2007 and 2008, things went bad for us, but now we are back with a bang and want to take the gospel industry by storm,” said Fosho.

His career started in 1998 when a friend, Tungamirai Nyoni, introduced him to gospel artiste Ruth Mapfumo.

“When I relocated to Bulawayo from Hwange, I started working at a local clothing shop,” he said.

“A friend who was working next door to our shop heard me singing at our morning devotions. He invited me to go with him to sing and pray for Ruth Mapfumo’s relative who was sick in hospital.

“Ruth was impressed with me and asked me to join her group and be part of the backing vocalists, but I was hesitant. I had long heard that bands and singing groups were for those who were lazy and had nothing to do with their lives. With a lot of persuasion from Ruth, I joined the band.”

He said this opened more doors for him as he got the opportunity to work with some of the country’s famed gospel musicians.

“I remember we performed at big concerts such as the Jenaguru Festival and Ngaavongwe Explosion,” said Fosho.

“I felt on top of the world and working with Ruth opened more doors for me as I was able to work with Christabel Dhukuche, Elester Nyathi and the late Khumalo whom I worked with on her debut gospel album Lind’ Umqhele.

“All groups in which I was a backing vocalist disbanded and Dhukuche and Nyathi relocated to the United Kingdom. I then decided to form a five-member group The Joy in Christ in 2002.”

Fosho is currently receiving vocal training and lessons on stage presence from Plumtree tshibilika musician Ndux Juniour.

His 10-track album Burning Bush is receiving a fair amount of air play on national radio.