Unprofessionalism in show business

ONCE upon a time, a dancehall show was an overseas promoter's dream. But these days many foreign promoters say these shows can be their worst nightmare because of unprofessional artistes.

Delroy Carroll, promoter of shows in the United States, has been burnt and said: "I've stopped doing it for a while now because I can't bother with the indiscipline of the artistes."

Many overseas dancehall shows are very profitable. Whether they are held in a club, school auditorium or amphitheatre they can attract from 1,000 to 10,000 patrons.

But all can go sour due to a fairly common unprofessional act in dancehall circles ­ the no-show.

Not only does the promoter lose money but he loses credibility too.

In Jamaica and abroad promoters agree that some current acts are not professionals. Many artistes, it is said, are unable to keep the most basic of schedules from rehearsals to tour dates. "Some of the artistes give a lot of problems. They miss interviews, flights, lobby calls, rehearsals and that's just the beginning. They make your work twice as hard," said Carroll, promoter of the annual show 'Love From Philadelphia' in the United States.

Every time a promoter books an artiste who then is a no-show, he has to say sorry ­ to a long line of people. Radio announcers, patrons, other artistes on the line up and a host people who were a part of the production line are all on the list of apology getters.

But even when they are not no-shows there are still more problems.

"They make changes to their entourages at the last minute and don't know the number of people in their entourage. They are just unprofessional, at least some of them," said George Crooks, promoter of the annual show, Reggae Gold Music Festival in New York.

Some artistes suggest it not as bad as promoters say.

"There have been cases when flights have been delayed and we have missed flights but it's not intentional. I can speak for myself in that I've always tried to be on time if I miss something it's not my fault," said singer, George Nooks.

But lewd and indecent performances, such as those which disgraced Dancehall Night at Sumfest 2001, also bother foreign promoters.

Promoters in the United States think artistes who use expletives escape being charged because often the police there are unfamiliar with Jamaican swear words.

Yet some countries like Barbados and Trinidad are intolerant of crude dancehall performances and have taken action. In 1998 Coco Tea was arrested for possession of ganja at Reggae Fest and in 1997 Cobra was arrested for the use of indecent language at Easter Fever. Both shows were in Barbados.

Earlier this year Mr. Vegas failed to turn up at the St. Kitts music festival show. His manager, Byron Murray, said he missed his flight. Elephant Man failed to turn up at the Reggae Superjam show in Miami in July put on by promoter Richard Johnson.

And then there are the off-stage antics. A brawl between Cobra and Mr. Lex backstage at Reggae Superjam in Miami in July had to be halted by the police. The confrontation between the two reflected badly on the promoter, Johnson. "The incident left a little vibe with the police who closed down the show early. I can't blame the police because they were doing their jobs but they robbed me of one hour," said Johnson of Great Music Performances.

The Miami Dade County Police said the recent incident was rare. "They (dancehall acts) aren't worse than anybody else. But that incident leaves a negative impression in my mind. I think their behaviour can be better though," an officer said.

Then there are cases of the unpaid hotel bills. Artistes have left big debts. In June, the Our Lucaya, Freeport Grand Bahama Hotel was left with US$824.85 (J$37,000) worth of unpaid bills at the hotel, bills accrued while he was there to perform at a show put on by Above The Rim promotions.

Most promoters say in order to maintain good relationships with dancehall acts they draw up very strict contracts. "Once we have a clear understanding of what their rider says and they keep their side of the contract we don't have a problem. They usually keep it too," explained Desi Wallace, of Above The Rim Promotions in Bahamas.

But the promoters don't wave the "bad news blanket" over everybody. They single out several of the local management teams that are doing good jobs.

"Most of the people who work the road regularly are quite professional. People like Luciano, Penthouse people which includes Beres Hammond, Shocking Vibes and some others are professional," Crooks explained.

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