IN his regular column of the Sunday Observer of March 7, 2010, popular entertainment journalist Clyde McKenzie, published an article entitled ‘Quest for Jamaica Music Hall of Fame’, which is a total misrepresentation of the facts pertaining to this matter.

Our chairman, Franklyn ‘Frankie’ Campbell, had met with Mr McKenzie the day after his article was published, had presented him with all the right information regarding the Hall of Fame and JAVAA, and had gotten his verbal commitment to do an article to clarify the situation, at his earliest convenience. To date, after more articles from Mr McKenzie, this has not transpired.

The Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes & Affiliates (JAVAA), had very conspicuously launched the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame on February 14, 2008 at the Half-Way-Tree Entertainment Complex (then called Oakton Park).

Clyde McKenzie should be well aware of the respect that his views on entertainment enjoy in Jamaica and in the Diaspora, hence, the potential damage of someone in his capacity giving out such wrong information. One example of this is the fact that Mrs Barbara Gloudon followed the line of his article on RJR’s Hotline programme in the ensuing week, prompting a call on that programme from our chairman, to “clear the air”.

Ironically, the substantive issue of Clyde’s article was the “need to preserve our rich musical heritage” which is almost the exact wording of JAVAA’s abbreviated mission statement. JAVAA has been in existence since 2003 and is the largest and most cohesive social organisation in Jamaica’s entertainment industry.

JAVAA was formed subsequent to the embarrassing circumstances surrounding the funeral of DJ Scotty. Fellow entertainers and industry practitioners felt that it was shameful for people to be going around begging in order to have a dignified thanksgiving for the life of one who had done so many hit songs and had provided us with so many joyous moments.

A group of entertainers and industry players was marshaLled by Michael Barnett (of Heineken Startime fame), and sourced the funds to rent a place on Osbourne Road in Kencot, and JAVAA was formed.

On Friday, July 11, 2008, the first induction ceremony to the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame took place in The Gardens, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The original 12 inductees were: Lord Flea (Norman Thomas) Vere Johns, Count Ossie (Oswald Williams), Alpha Boys’ School (special mention of Sis Ignatius Davies, former head of Alpha), The Wailers (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Beverly Kelso, Cherry Green & Junior Braithwaite), Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverley), Olive Lewin, Sir Coxone Dodd (Clement Dodd), The Skatalites (Tommy McCook, Rolando Alphonso, Johnny ‘Dizzie’ Moore, Lester Sterling, Don Drummond, Lloyd Knibb, Lloyd Brevett, Jerry Hines & Jackie Mittoo), Duke Reid (Arthur Reid), Ernest Ranglin and Derrick Morgan

The second annual induction ceremony of the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame, took place on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the Talk of The Town, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The third annual induction ceremony of the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame is in need of sponsorship, but is being contemplated for a date in July, most likely at The Pegasus Hotel.