Female child found wandering Downtown 9:12 AM
GCT to go down, white rum prices going up 4:35 PM
Health of Jamaica's children improving — Ferguson 2:58 PM
GG calls on church to conduct a ‘ministry of healing’ 2:53 PM
'Ratty' killed in motor vehicle accident 2:05 PM
Busy waives right to extradition hearing 1:57 PM
Entertainment
Reggae: Jamaica's oil — Schmidt
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
THE huge potential of reggae to drive Jamaica's economy has again been underscored by a member of the music fraternity.
Brian Schmidt, the marketing manager at Jamaica's only all-reggae radio station, IRIE FM, has come out swinging for the local entertainment industry which he says could become the backbone of the Jamaican economy, noting, "Reggae is Jamaica's oil."
According to him, there is no Brand Jamaica without reggae music, as all the sectors including tourism and manufacturing are totally dependent on the music. "We cannot build our country and economy without reggae, yet what we have is an industry strangled by inaction at various levels.
Speaking at yesterday's launch of Reggae Month organised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, (JaRIA), Schmidt noted that while other sectors have received their bailouts and other forms of government assistance, nothing was being done to aid the music industry which does not need a hand out, but rather incentives.
One area he highlighted as being crippling to the music, is the Noise Abatement Act, which he says only serves to strangle the local culture.
"What is needed is sensible night noise regulation as well as proper zoning, as different industries need different spaces in which to operate. Everybody talks about New York, the city that never sleeps, then why should out people go to bed at midnight, if they really want to party? All concerned need to do the things which are required to enable rather than disable reggae music," Schmidt said.
Reggae Month will be observed throughout the month of February. The activities to celebrate the month include the staging of the annual Dennis Brown concert; the launch of the Save the Music Campaign, a series of weekly concerts to be staged at the Edna Manley College and the JaRIA Honour Awards.
 
|
POST A COMMENT
You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.
1/26/2011
Jamaica needs to manufacture products that can be used locally and have export potential. This is what is needed to drive the economy. We can look to what China is doing right now being the manufacturing plant of the world and they aren't doing too badly. Just look who is leading the major construction projects around Jamaiac today. The Chinese are.
Reggae music can be the seal on the "Brand Jamaica" made products, it just will not be or can be the economic driver.
1/26/2011
What am i reading here Mr.SCHMIDT why should i be in my bed sleeping and be awaken by music and 3:00 in the morning you live uptown in the mulit-storied house and i am sure sleep well why cant I?
What jamaica need to do is start manufacturing we cant sing and dance our way to success.
1/26/2011
am confused, what do you really want Mr Schmidt? More parties?
Other Stories
‘Beenie was brave’ — Festival promoter lauds deejay
1 comments
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
Miss Jamaica World sashing on Saturday
0 comments
Claudelle Clarke: Queen of reggae gospel
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
OH, BABY!: Carla Campbell eyes return after childbirth
0 comments
Celebrity football match for NYC
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
0 comments
Will 'Reggae Music Again' prevail?
0 comments
0 comments
Johnoy Williams eyes spotlight
0 comments
Brevett for interment in May Pen Cemetery
0 comments
RSS Feeds
