WELL, THE last few months have been sports lovers' paradise. The NBA Playoffs between the Knicks ad the Pacers, Tiger Woods and his record-breaking run at Pebble Beach and the Williams Sisters at Wimbledon... could you really want more? Well, there is the Olympics to come. Yet, while we enjoy these spectacles the question must be asked why can't we get some of this action down here?
We recall those days when top entertainers and sportsmen used to perform here regularly. We recall 1975, the visit of Arthur Ashe, Wimbledon champion and world number one coinciding with a performance at the Stadium of Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.
We recall serving some of the greatest athletes at their peak, including Bjorn Stan Smith, Paul Ramiers and Rosie Casals. And we remember seeing athletes of the calibre of Alberto Juantorenia at their peak. Why can't we have a big sports and music festival in Jamaica? After all both areas of activities are overseen by one Ministry.
COME ON now TVJ, what was that promo about Wimbledon with footage from the U.S. Open? Was it a case that the producer did not know better, or it was assumed that no one could tell the difference?
SO WE see IRIE FM celebrating 10 years of existence. Respect to all those who over the years have worked to ensure that the station remains viable.
But the station needs to work on the quality of its news output. While there are good presenters of the news it is clear that the editing needs more attention.
Nonetheless, heartiest congratulations to the IRIE FM crew.
THERE WERE Congressional Hearings to determine whether there was an up side to digital downloads. A number of individuals testified, including Laro Ulrich, from the group Metallica, which has been waging a war against Napster, a file-swopping mechanism on the web.
Now what people like Ulrich are saying is that they have to make an investment in their music, not the least of which is their intellectual capital and that they should be compensated. There are some who believe that the record companies have been cheating the artistes long enough and these new technologies are giving the creators of the music a chance to get even.
Many see the web as a means for the performer to get directly to his audience without having to secure the intervention of the big recording companies. People like Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame and the group Limp Bizkit, are among those who subscribe to this view.
Both sides seem to have sound points in support of their position. What is clear though is that whatever decision Congress takes on the matter, one thing is sure, the music industry has changed irrevocably and the consumers, those of us who really love music, might just end up being the beneficiaries.
SO THE Art and Life tour has come to an end in Europe bringing to a close a most successful venture into the northern continent by the 'Doctor' Beenie Man.
Beenie Man heads to Japan soon where he will be performing alongside such artistes as Morgan's Heritage and Maxi Priest. He is due to return to Jamaica for Reggae Sumfest and is expected to make an appearance at the final test match between England and the West Indies at the start of September.
