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| Robin Levy |
Kingston,
Jamaica:
Members of the performing arts industry are being urged to utilize the
financial services offered by the nation’s credit unions to manage their
financial affairs and organise their retirement plans. The call came from Chief
Executive Officer of the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League, Robin Levy, as
he delivered the main address at the first 2018 Jamaica Festival Song Competition Developmental Seminar held at
JAMPRO in Kingston on January 23.
Levy outlined a number of services
that credit unions make available to musicians, singers, writers, composers and
others who earn a living through the cultural sector.
He told participants: “Many of you who earn a living from the
creative sectors do not have a nine-to- five job and that makes it difficult
for you to access financial services and benefits from some mainstream
institutions. But the credit union is a people’s cooperative which means that
you are lending and borrowing from each other. In many cases there is no
registered company and you have to try and navigate your way on an individual
basis. The credit union understands how difficult it can be to get investment
for creative purposes such as producing music but there are conversations that
you can have with a credit union of your choice that can assist you greatly.”
He also decried the sad state of
affairs that often surround the deaths of some entertainers whose financial
portfolios have not been kept in good order.
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| Alaine Laughton |
“It
so sad when you have to see hats going around seeking support to bury some of
our legends; It is time for this to end. Take charge and take responsibility
and don’t exchange fame for disgrace.” Levy said.
Other presenters at the seminar, which
was geared towards preparing entrants for this year’s competition included
singer and songwriter Alaine Laughton who gave a practical lecture in the art
of making a good song.
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| Freddie McGregor |
Djenne Greaves demonstrated the art of
stage performance and was well received. Mark Thomas spoke on the important
issue of image of branding while reggae superstar Freddie McGregor gave a first
class account of life in the business of music. McGregor recounted his career
from the early days in Clarendon to the formation of his record company Big
Ship Productions. He held the audience in awe as he told of the challenges he
faced in trying carve out a career as a young singer and the wonderful
relationship he had with producer Clement Coxsone Dodd.
McGregor also endorsed the Festival
Song Competition and urged interested participant to write songs that will seek
to build a patriotic spirit in the country and lift national pride. He noted
that over the years many of the country’s successful artists emerged from the
competition but the prize package and stakes are so high now that professional
artists should consider participating.
Regional seminars are also being held
in the Western, Central, and Northern regions.
Chairman of the Festival Song
Committee Mr. Vernon Derby said the seminars are very integral to the staging
of a professional competition that will see songs of the highest standards
vying for pride of place during the Independence season and beyond.
All registered participants in the seminars
are presented with certificates of participation.
More details are available at www.jcdc.gov.jm, by email at festivalsong@jcdc.gov.jm, all JCDC
offices island wide and by telephone at 926-5726-9.
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