Thunderous applause greeted the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange after the historic proclamation of Reggae Month at King's House and she invited singer Etana to assist with the unveiling of the Reggae Month logo, almost apologising for not being able to "have a long function with lots of music into the next morning".

Cheers were in abundance, and more were to come for Minister Grange as she described the insigna on the logo. "Energetic and towering mark, a star of David illuminating upward, communicating the message. The message is, Imagine and Believe."

The large gathering comprised some of reggae's greatest talents, including pioneers and young turks, composers, arrangers, producers, poets, musicians and singers. The Observer sought to ascertain what Reggae Month means to them.

Chairman of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam), Cleveland "Clevie" Browne said:

"This is indeed an historic moment for the reggae music industry. I can see additional impact from the income generated for the reggae music industry in Jamaica. It will eventually impact on all the collection rights due to our artistes, producers, writers and the creators of music in general, since we expect more public performance of our music on radio and all media houses. It will impact hopefully on the economy as well, through more income earned through the greater use of our music throughout the world."

Lloyd Stanbury from RIAJam whose contribution to the making of Reggae Month was commended by Minister Grange, was a picture of humility. "It would not be right for me to take all of the credit. I would have to give the credit to RIAJam. It was discussed and we wrote to the Prime Minister maybe two months or so ago, suggesting that the government should look at officially declaring February Reggae Month. I'm really very pleased to see that in the short time the necessary steps have been taken to have the formal procamation read this morning."

Endorsement also came from the president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young: "Any move by government to show any kind of recognition, any kind of highlighting of things to do with reggae, things to do with the music, is a positive move and a plus for the music. There is so much about February that is important, Bob Marley Dennis Brown. We rate the move and we'll support 100 per cent."

According to veteran bandleader and former president of the JFM, Sonny Bradshaw: "It's a wonderful idea, it should have been put in place long ago from Reggae Sunsplash time. But it's now happening and I'm so pleased."

Ronnie Burke, one of the founders of Reggae Sunsplash declared: "I am very happy that reggae music has been fully recognised. I still don't think Jamaicans understand the full potential or the power of this gift that we have call our music. And Sunsplash was just the start, as you can see it has now festoned into almost a complete annual landscape of festivals and events. This is a great beginning."

Veteran trumpeter Johnny "Dizzy Johnny" Moore, told the Observer: "It's long overdue and it is really good to see that the people in the higher echelon of the society have finally realised that a great contribution was made by some little people who were more or less nonentities then, but are now little giants. And I, being one of the exponents and conceptulisers of the artform that is reggae, am very elated.

Another pioneer, Derrick Harriot stated: "The government bigging up music in Jamaica on a whole is monumental, is one of the great things I'm happy that I'm alive to see."

Veteran producer Bunny "Striker" Lee, was moved to reminisce: "I'm in the business over 40-odd years now, we developed reggae in Duke Reid's Studio 1968.....and give praises to see we having a Reggae Month."

One of reggae's most respected drummer/producer, Sly Dunbar commented: "Today is a great day, today reminds me of 1962 when I was going to school and Jamaica got independence, and the Skatalites Band was playing on a truck in Port Maria...it's really good for the Prime Minister to declare February as Reggae Month, the music is going forward and everybody should be positive about it right now and put away all the negatives."

And from Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment came this analytical perspective: "I think it is important because reggae is Jamaica and I hope it leads to a greater awareness about brand Jamaica, because this is what we have to sell the world....So I am hoping that this is the beginning of a much bigger step. But it is good when the country and the government and the representative of the queen recognise the industry, and I hope that the industry use sthis as an opportunity to make better for itself."

Other stalwarts like singer Derrick Morgan, producer Winston "Niney" Holness and singer/bandleader Lloyd Sparks, also voice their approval for Reggae Month.

The Reggae Academy Awards which will be part of Reggae Month, will be the occasion on which those who have paved the way, those who have blazed the way, and those who are called to be the next generation of a great music and a great country.

The Africa Unite celebration which will be held in Jamaica this year, is also part of the month's festivities.

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