I was totally shocked to learn that the award given to Copeland Forbes by King of Kings Promotion, for outstanding contribution to the development of the (Jamaican) music, was the first award he was receiving in Jamaica. Yet, he has received some two hundred and fifty such, from far flung countries across the globe.

This itself speaks volumes, and goes to the root of what is, at least from my perspective, one of the main objective/psychological impediments to the development of a full-fledged local industry. It is an almost total disconnect of Jamaicans outside of the entertainment sector, with the continuous international impact, penetration and magnitude of reggae music. It is my firm belief, shared, I know, by Copeland himself, that if this information was widely publicised to Jamaicans, in real time, giving the details of the countries and cities around the world, where reggae artistes are performing on a daily basis, there would be a greater appreciation of the enormity and untapped income potential of this resource. This should pragmatically lead to a breakdown of the prejudices stymieing its transformation into an economic growth stimulant including planned, programmatic linkages and assimilation with other sectors where there already exists an organic relationship, such as tourism and agriculture.

Cordell Green refers to Copeland Forbes as a reggae proselytiser and explorer who has maintained his humility throughout the years, even though he has played a pivotal role ever since he joined the entertainment industry forty nine years ago, on December 15, 1962, as a member of the Harmony Cats, playing harmonica and melodic. Copeland’s next involvement was as a dancer in a group called The Coasters, who toured with The Mighty Vikings. Later, Copeland migrated to New York and among other things eventually ventured into acting, with four movies to his credit.

Then the year 1972 came along, Bunny Wailer had just split from the Wailers after their tour of England, and the raw, brand-new image of the dreadlocked Wailers Band, joined by Joe Higgs as Bunny’s replacement, was in New York to open for Bruce Springsteen at a venue called Max Kansas City. Copeland assisted with the organisation and logistics of the band’s performance and Bob Marley was obviously sufficiently impressed to ask — what seemed to him a very innocuous question at the time — the date of his birth. Bob excitedly responded, ‘Marcus Garvey month! Come wid wi, you a wi up front man!’ This was a turning point in Copeland’s career; he had finally found what his lifelong niche became, managing tours and artistes. Just imagine, for a moment, that back then, Johnny Nash was still being referred to as ‘The King of Reggae’, singing Bob Marley songs.

Four years later, Copeland Forbes began managing the then very hot Mighty Diamonds with their string of hits and a recent contract with Virgin Records. Since then, and at various times, he has gone on to manage Peter Tosh and his son Andrew, Jimmy Cliff, Sly & Robbie, Third World, Marcia Griffiths, Luciano, John Holt and Gregory Isaacs.

It is especially as Jamaica’s most experienced, esteemed tour manager, that Copeland has become known, famous and in demand by booking agencies and promoters globally. He’s an authentic globe trotter, backed by the power of our music; using his humility, negotiation and logistics skills and his business acumen, to break down ethnic, racial, linguistic, cultural, geographic, bureaucratic and even diplomatic barriers. Copeland has managed tours for The Wailers Band, Toots & the Maytals, Bunny Wailer, Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown, I-Three, Freddie Mc Gregor, Beres Hammond, Mutabaruka, U-Roy, Chakademus & Pliers, among a host of other acts.

A single glance at Copeland’s itinerary and one immediately deduces that this man, along with the music he proselytises are still constantly busy uplifting the spirits, or winning new converts in all corners of the World. Countries such as England, Germany, France, USA, Guam, Greece, Australia, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Japan, South Africa, Israel pops up at you. It is indeed fitting, that next year, the 50th anniversary of our independence, coincides with Copeland Forbes’ 50th year of meritorious service to the Jamaican reggae music industry. We should not let it pass unheralded.

Worrell King says Copeland Forbes richly deserves the award he was recently given, for the work and vision he has provided to reggae music for almost five decades.

It seems a prophet is seldom honoured in his own land, like Copeland, Worrell has toiled for seventeen years, with minimal sponsorship, to promote the concept of a festival — Western Consciousness exclusively highlighting good, clean lyrics. To demonstrate the point that the event is genre neutral, long before it became en vogue, the festival became the platform for dancehall acts, performing under their birth names, to strictly use songs from their musical catalogue which are popular social commentaries or inspired by romance. This year the entire festival is a salute to positive dancehall music. It is being staged on Saturday, April 30, Paradise Park, Savanna-la-Mar.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com