by YVETTE BESTTHE ASSOCIATION of Music Entrepreneurs (AME) of Barbados is exploring ways to sustain the “liquidity burst” at Crop-Over on a year-round basis.Speaking at a media briefing recently, chairman George Thomas noted that there were a few people who continued to make money outside of the May to August period, and that the local population could not support the number of artistes that are churned out on an annual basis.“In order for us to be a viable industry, a viable contributor to our economy, the burst that happens between May and August needs to be all year round,” Thomas said.He added that Barbados could talk about a music industry when people involved in the creative industries “could turn up for work every day”. He said it had to start with getting the artistes out in the international markets, however.Thomas said the AME had taken steps in that direction by attending things like WOMEX, MIDEM, the college circuit in the United States and networking with people who could energise the path from Barbados outwards.“We need our artistes to be able to get out internationally, and put people in seats to hear them. That’s the way you make money,” he said.One of the major associations the group has made since its launch last August has been with the National Association with Collegiate Activities (NACA), which he said was a US$50 million per year organisation.“Many international artistes cut their teeth on this college circuit . . . A lot of the rap acts, the alternative acts came through. I would classify us as alternative, because we are different. Alternative is that which is alternative to the norm, and we fit that billing. College students, experimental, not fitting into a box. That’s where our music can really [have] some traction,” he stated.He said the AME was going to fund three artistes to showcase at NACA over the next year and link them with some of the key booking agents “so that we can get people working”. “That’s the thing, get people working. Get people such that by virtue of singing, producing, they can put food on the table all year round,” Thomas stated.He also revealed that the AME was going to be contributing to the Cultural Industries Bill. The group is also looking to get their proposal for 60 per cent local content on general music stations legislated. Thomas said the association was trying to give artistes a “fair listen” at home, since record labels often queried the level of rotation, sales and the like of a given artiste when they were approached. “They don’t expect millions, because they know we are tiny. But if you can’t give a good representation to that, then they say ‘well okay, if your own don’t like you, then . . .’. “So it’s not about making lots of money here. It’s about being recognised, being able to cut your teeth here and [being given] a fair listen by the local audience,” he explained.
