WEE POW... This move is not intended to spoil the fun of our many fans, but the safety of the staff and myself are very important

In the aftermath of the recent murders of two well-known entertainment personalities, Paul Tyrell of Shocking Vibes and the operator of Arrows Recording Studio, Phillip 'Arrows' Linton, owner of the popular Stone Love sound system, Winston "Wee Pow" Powell says he has been receiving threats on his life.

"A man called my phone and said, 'Father Pow, you hear bout Arrows? You next," Powell told Splash during an interview earlier this week. "The threats have now become a regular thing and I don't know who is doing it."

Even though Powell is deeply concerned about the threats, he has apparently not gone to the police to make a formal report.

Powell is deeply concerned about the threats.

Checks with the Half-Way-Tree police station, the police division in which Stone Love is headquartered, revealed that no report was made to them by Powell.

"Wee Pow is a popular man and if he had made a report that he was threatened then we would know about it," an officer at the station said.

"He should alert the police so we could investigate and perhaps provide some degree of protection. Wee Pow is a good man," the police officer said.

But as a result of the threats, the veteran sound system operator says he is planning to cut back on the amount of dates Stone Love takes in the future, on a phased basis.
"We are planning to cut back on the amount of engagements on a strategic basis," Powell said.

Stone Love has been the leading crowd puller in the sound system business and has commanded the lion's share of the sound system business pie as dance promoters seek to maximise their profits.

According to Powell, to survive in the sound system business, nerves of steel are required as many times persons who want to secure dates that are already booked will try to use intimidatory tactics in the hope that the sound system owner would succumb to their demands.

"A man will call and ask for a date and it is already booked. He will try to bully you to go back on the contract you had with a client and give him the date," Powell explained. "If you don't give in, then the man will try badness."

Most times threats related to those issues were empty, Powell explained, adding that he was used to such behaviour and more or less treated it as an occupational hazard.

"That kind of threat don't usually worry me, because it's like they are part of the music business," he said.

But "Wee Pow" says he takes the recent threats very serious and thinks his life is in danger.

"It is getting real scary now," Powell confided.
Late last year, popular Stone Love selector Richie Feelings was shot and injured in an area of Arnett Gardens called Havana. The selector was apparently speaking with another man when gunmen pounced and opened fire on the man he was conversing with.

Powell, while concerned about the unfortunate incident, told Splash that the Richie Feelings' injury was not connected to the threats he has been getting on his life.

"It seems he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Powell remarked.

Last year Stone Love celebrated 31 years in the entertainment arena. The sound system has revolutionised the business and many up-and-coming 'sounds' copy the tried and proven method used by the Stone Love crew.

The sound has built a steady following and Powell made sure to point out that he appreciated the support given by the public.

"This move is not intended to spoil the fun of our many fans, but the safety of the staff and myself are very important," Powell said.

Late last month, Tyrell was killed by a lone gunman while driving in Kingston, and Linton was murdered as he attempted to enter his business place on Windward Road, also by a lone assassin. Both men died with their licensed firearms in their possession.

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