BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PROMOTER and Club Owner Romeo Parris, in a recent exclusive interview with SKNVibes, has expressed his disappointment and displeasure in the lineup of artistes for the 15th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival.
According to Parris, it is time for people to realize that the festival is a National event incurring national costs.
Parris added that when the Federation is millions of dollars in debt, the way the country’s money is spent is very important to him because it is a part of his cost.
He is urging the Prime Minister, as he is responsible for finance, to look into the matter because something is not right
The promoter said he cannot understand why he is being told that an artiste such as Yellow Man is to be paid US$10 000 plus other costs while one of our top rising artiste like Nicha B is exempted. “Why is he not on?” he asked.
He also noted that King Konris has been selected by the Festival committee three times in a row, and artistes cannot be blamed for seeing it as favouritism.
Parris, in voicing his concerns, stated that he is also relaying the grievances and sentiments of national artistes and other concerned citizens throughout the Federation, about the way the artistes are treated.
“As a promoter and one who has made my life promoting our national artistes regardless of the cost, I am disgusted and thought I needed to speak out. I don’t think that our artistes are getting the kind of recognition or any kind of push or support,” he stated.
He indicated that one of his other problems is that some artistes, like Crucial Bankie and Ashkanaz have views that are no different from the other rasta reggae artistes who have been invited.
The Club Kactus owner said that he disagreed with the choice of a number of artistes selected by the committee last year for they had been dumped into the spotlight on a grand stage without any preparation.
Parris said that there are nine Jamaicans coming to St. Kitts to represent one genre (Reggae-Dancehall) while there are people here such as Zemenfes Kidus, Masud Sadiki, Nicha B, and Crucial Bankie amongst many others who were not given a chance.
He stressed that he supports the Music Festival and saw it as a great event. However, he sees problems when there are at least 12 major festivals in Jamaica and none of our artistes are given the opportunity to attend.
He also made mention of Ben Jax, Wendy St. Kitts, Pat Ross and asked why Mick Stokes is only being recongnised after 15 years.
Parris also raised the issue of Jazzique Cheverton from Nevis not being asked to perform at the Festival. “Why was Jazzique’s band not selected as the backing band for these artistes, and have the money stay in the Federation? He is an excellent musician which nobody at all would question.” He also asked why bands and artistes from countries like Tortola, St. Thomas and St. Croix are not being called upon.
He declared that he is making a special appeal which he plans to take to other media houses because this must stop. “For 15 years they have been saying that they are not making any money, but how do we know there is a loss when there is no accountability?” he queried.
Parris stated that it is a misleading to say that this event is solely to attract tourists because, 80 percent or more of the people who attend the festival are nationals living at home and abroad.
He reiterated that the St. Kitts Music Festival is not a political event but is a St. Kitts/Nevis National event and it is time for the Committee to realise that the money is not theirs. The instructions should not come from them alone because every citizen has to be called upon to pay the debt incurred for the development of the county.
The 15th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival is scheduled for June 23 to 25 and will see the Nu Vybes Band International Band, Small Axe Band, Ali Campbell’s UB40, Bunny Wailer, Mic Stokes, King Konris, Xman and The Kore featuring Gharlic on the opening night.
On the following night, seven Jamaican acts will take the stage - Gyptian, Demarco, Konshens, Black Ryno, Maxi Priest, Coco Tea and Yellow Man.
The curtains will come down with Jah Cure, Commodores, Fantasia and East Meets West.
