Although he has healthy support in areas with large Jamaican communities in the United States, Glen Washington has never been satisfied performing only for Diaspora audiences.

The veteran singer, whose gravelly vocals has endeared him to fans for over 20 years, recently signed with Guess What Entertainment, a booking agency in the Dominican Republic.

Washington is banking on this deal to expose him to new markets, especially Europe.

"We've been there several times but I think with better service more can be done. We are hoping to get some new shows in new places because he knows the wider markets," he said.

'He' is Dominique Pompee from Martinique who Washington first met 20 years ago while performing in that country. Pompee started Guess What Entertainment eight years ago and has worked with a number of reggae acts throughout the French Caribbean including Anthony B, Queen Ifrica, Sanchez and Beres Hammond.

Known for hit songs such as Brother to Brother and Rise And Shine, Washington has been in the music business for over 40 years, starting out as a drummer in The Titans, resident band at Bohemia Club in Kingston.

Brother to Brother, a hit-laden album for Studio One in 1999, gave him the breakthrough as a vocalist. His subsequent association with producer Lloyd Campbell yielded hit singles like Rise And Shine and Kindness For Weakness.

The Florida-based Washington stressed the importance of sound management to a successful career.

"Yuh have to have a strong team. Good manager, a publicist, a booking agent. People who are serious and can keep your name out there," he said.