Next year’s Caribfest is promising to be an ultra-modern gala concert with a short list of distinguished honourees who have made significant, historic contributions to the regional music industry.

Impresario told reporters recently that documentaries will be created about the recipients, and on the night those in attendance will witness performance tributes to these artistes, and in some cases, see performances by the artistes themselves.

The line-up of entertainers for this event has just been announced by Morris. Performers have been confirmed from Barbados, Trinidad, St. Vincent, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Antigua & Barbuda, making this a truly regional event which is sure to reap benefits for Barbados through tourism and sales of products and services {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Ronnie Morris revealed how Pyramid Entertainment provided a massive array of singers for the January event – including Timeka Marshall from Guyana; Skinny Fabolous of St Vincent; Burning Flames from Antigua among other top acts.

The selection process for the Caribfest awards is a different method from that of the Barbados Music Awards {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Celia Cruz & Bob Marley are among the honourees chosen this year, no regularised judging process is used for the Caribfest, and five artistes will be chosen each year.

In either case Morris feels the Barbadian business community needs to wake up about deciding where to lay their sponsorship since the next protege selected may captivate the entire planet {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

The next time a company hesitates to place money in guiding the career of a young Barbadian entertainer, Morris chided, those entities may be missing out on having a hand in boosting the life of the next Hal Linton or Rihanna.

Co-Sponsor MacEnearney Motors, agents for Kia & Audi, was represented by Johnny Tudor – his memories of Barbados’ entertainment scene are long and bittersweet… He lamented how no radio station during the 70’s saw fit to record his father’s performances in Auntie Olga’s “Children’s Party: Pageant of Youth,” many Bajans say the comedian Joe Tudor’s skits were legendary yet never preserved. Nevertheless the younger Tudor has plans to recreate his father’s shows.

The Ansa-McAl sales director also revealed to participants how he was one of Barbados’ earliest victims to the precursor of downloading and piracy with an extremely popular tune {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Viper’s “Steer Yourself” made $56,000 in the early 80’s but before Tudor could sell a 2nd Edition in Boston or NY, there bootleg copies around and he was left holding a pile of unsold LP’s – Tudor says people like Ronnie Morris show Bajans how to avoid being tricked like he was…

In her contribution, of the National Cultural Foundation, indicated the NCF is teaming up with Caribfest’s parent organisation Timeless to offer specialised seminars for the local music industry {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

The Foundation will assist in coordinating the Caribfest Music Industry Expo; Hilton Pre-Function Area January 7th – 9th: 10AM – 4PM Daily & Turning Music Into Gold Workshop – Hilton Ballroom January 8th:10AM- 2PM

The Caribbean Media Corporation’s consultant Jo Spaulving says the video coverage of the festival combined with Barbados’ sole TV station CBC provides a huge opportunity for mainland USA’s Caribbean diaspora {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Via Comcast, the CMC consultant says “Caribvision” (soon to be rebranded as ‘The Caribbean Channel‘) will be beamed to 1.7 million viewers from Southern Florida down as far as Key West!

So far, all seems ready for a massive celebration of excellence in the Caribbean music industry. Both Leeward & Windward Isles and continental Caribbean nations will unite for the 5-night season which ends with the Barbados Music Awards on Saturday January 8th followed by the Caribfest Awards on Sunday January 9th.