Members of the entertainment community have greeted the announcement of the return of Jamaica's first major yearly music festival Reggae Sunsplash with ringing endorsements.

President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young said he was happy to hear that Sunsplash was returning as it will provide an added dimension to the local entertainment product and by extension more work for the artistes.

"Sunsplash was the original festival of that type, and it's a pity that it took so long to come forward," said Young who as a vocalist with the 809 Band was a staple on Sunsplash for a number of years. "It", (Sunsplash), Young continued, "will add another dimension to the entertainment scene and as a result of which, provide more jobs for the artistes and we welcome that."

Veteran crooner Sugar Minott who performed on some eight times on Sunplash, was cautiously optimistic.

"The thing is, if it going to have the calibre of management that it once had, then I welcome it," Sugar Minott said before adding, "if they can get it back to the level of proficiency that it was at, when Tony Johnson and Ronnie Burke were at the head, it would be the best thing right now because nothing not happening. No tour nah gwaan. Only some little clubs in America by individual performers."

Half Pint with three appearances on Reggae Sunsplash to his credit said: "Any form of festival is always welcomed. I would like to be on it again."

Like Half Pint, entertainer, promoter Tony Rebel was elated and expressed his desire to be on Reggae Sunsplash.
Tony Rebel also feels that the return of Reggae Sunsplash would add to the variety of entertainment options in the country.

Said Rebel: "Sunsplash was the show that all us wanted to be on as a youth. All of us grew up loving it and we've not lost that love for it. I have been on it twice in Montego Bay as well as the year when it was staged at Dover and I feel honoured. I would like be on it again. Nuff respect to the promoters at the time."

Well known tour manager and entertainment consultant, Copeland Forbes said he supports the idea to bring back Sunsplash 100 per cent.
"I think Reggae Sunsplash is the people's choice," Forbes told the Observer. "I support the idea 100 per cent in bringing back this festival to build on our own thing so that we don't have to rely on foreign acts for it to be a success."

And Robert Russell a director of Summerfest Productions, promoter of Sumfest which has replaced Reggae Sunsplash said he has mixed feelings about the festival that was once his main competitor.

"I have mixed feelings about it because I'm not too sure if we can have two festivals similar to each other within two weeks. In such a short pace of time it might be asking too much from the public. But we welcome all shows and that it does well," said Russell who promised that his Sumfest will be bigger and better next year.

Reports reaching the Observer are that Kenny Benjamin, chairman of the Guardsman Group of companies along with Charles Campbell, former Sunsplash show producer and director of operations for Synergy Productions Limited are the principals behind the effort to revive Sunsplash.

Reggae Sunsplash was first held in 1978 at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

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