Internet Music Holds Spotlight At CME 2002
Terry Joseph
From Ocho Rios, Jamaica
March 26, 2002
Caribbean Music Expo (CME) chairman Lloyd Stanbury has identified Internet music download facilities one of the major problems that will affect Caribbean music producers over the next decade and possibly shift the focus of what we produce.
Speaking on Wednesday night at the opening ceremony of CME 2002 at The Ruins restaurant and pub, Stanbury said: "It is our assessment that technology and the Internet will, more than any other single issue, affect music development in the Caribbean reagion over at least the next decade.
"It may be that we will have to shift the focus of how we present music and rethink some of our present concepts, but one thing is certain, we cannot pretend the facility of downloading and trading music - whether legally or unlawfully - does not exist and will not increase as the practice becomes easier to access," Stanbury said.
"Part of our focus at CME 2002 will be to sensitise the media to our concerns in this regard and hope to enlist the cooperation of those who have access to widespread communication systems to educate people about the effects of this particular problem..
"We in the music business will also want to explain our present position and try to get our plight known to the rest of the world, but there is also a need to adapt. We have already done quite a few things, including our Star Search programme, to try and increase the number of activities and opportunities involving music performers.
"We know there is more to be done and hope that this forum will help us achieve at least the communication network that will allow for continuous dialogue on this and other aspects of the music business in the Caribbean," Stanbury said.
Pat Francis, president of Jamaica's promotions company (JAMPRO) said CME 2002 broadened opportunities for the region and through the global reach of media, she hoped Caribbean products with the competitive edge in cultural variety and rhythms would make a greater mark on world markets.
"The export product is critical," Francis said, "particularly in light of the concerns expressed by Mr Stanbury. We have seen the worth of these products, particularly over the past few years. Music festivals in the region have been bringing more and more people down here to listen to what we have to say and play.
"These festivals are also exposing our artistes to some of the international acts from whom they can learn a number of very important aspects of the global industry. The St Lucia Jazz Festival alone is bringing in US $20 million and Trinidad Carnival is generating US$300,000 in additional economic activity each year. (Editor's note: Trinidad Carnival generates some US $60million).
"These events are critical to our regional economics and events like CME 2002 will encourage even further activity in this regard. We wish them well and hope that your conferences and entertainment showcases are as successful as you have planned," Francis said.
A concert followed the opening ceremony, featuring several of acts discovered by previous editions of CME. The concert was staged at the outdoor facility at The Ruins, a fantasy island layout with artificial cascades and a river running through a man-made rain-forest.
Yesterday, the World Summit of Women in Film convened at the Jamaica Renaissance Grande and conference activity opened, punctuated by two concerts, the first of which, a showcase at high noon featured Trinidad and Tobago's Rene Castle, with dancers from Joy-Balfour company.
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