Desmond Gillis - salesman: ‘Yes, I listen to local music, people like Eddy Grant, the Tradewinds, Sammy Baksh and some local calypsonians. These artistes’ work is not being played on the radio stations. If the radio played their music, more people would support it. Older persons don’t know the names of the people singing because they are not hearing the songs on radio. Just like how we normally have foreign artistes coming to perform we could hold concerts at the National Park and other places featuring our local people. The Ministry of Culture has to promote local musicians. It was Dennis Brown who had to come to promote our group First Born. We should have been able to promote that group ourselves.’

Jackilin Butcher - teacher: ‘I feel that they should have more of our music on the air. We have talented people around, all they need is the opportunity. They need publicity. I’ve been hearing a few television talk-show hosts advertising some local artistes. Some of our guys sound better than the foreigners. We need to do better publicity of our local artistes in general. The Ministry of Culture needs to do a lot more than is being done at present. If they put more money into local entertainment we will have better artistes. The TV stations can be used to promote these performers and clubs should accommodate concerts held by these persons or groups. We have a lot of guys who are not even on the market, because they don’t have their work recorded. Emphasis needs to be placed in the schools. When you can pick them from an early age, you can train them.’

Colin London - concerned citizen: ‘Local musicians need the backing from the Government in order for them to really take-off. The Ministry of Culture could give the assistance that these performers need. Some of these artistes are really talented.’
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Jacqueline Taylor - seamstress: ‘I think that local music is very good. It helps to promote values and also gives advice. Those who are doing the singing know what it is they are singing about, so they know what message they are sending out through their lyrics. Some of our reggae artistes are teaching young people like themselves. I believe that once the music continues to be fruitful a lot more people will begin performing and the message will go over to the audience. Once it is not the music that has indecent language, it’s good.’

Eon Leitch - basketball coach: ‘First I recognise that because there are no jobs, people reach into themselves and bring out talent. A studio needs to be built so that this talent can be sold. I would like to compliment some of the artistes on the kind of music that they are singing. Kester ‘D’ and First Born are two good examples of good local talent because their music sends strong messages making young people aware of certain things, such as drug awareness and HIV/AIDS. Youths have to listen to the words of the song and not the beat.’

Michael Fraser - businessman: ‘I would like to deal with the spiritual side. We have some very good gospel artistes. Cleveland Thomas sings and writes gospel. Kester ‘D’ is for a younger audience. More should be done to promote gospel and uplift the nation. It is time that Guyanese become original. There is still too much copying of foreign music. The radio stations and record bars should play local music. We need studios in Guyana. It is too costly to have recordings done overseas. I believe too that if some of our young people knew to read music, they will be able to appreciate old hymns and that will be very good.’

Carl Chan - teacher/freelance photographer: I think that we need more recording studios in Guyana. I believe too that teaching of music in schools should be promoted. I like the local soul and reggae more than the foreign ones. I also like the local gospel singers. I was at a recent convention and some gospel singers did a very good job. The crowd was motivated. It was a very active performance. More local artistes should be played on the airwaves because the foreign music has a negative impact on young people. I am glad that some local performers are using their talents to promote awareness about HIV/AIDS and drug awareness. The spoken word is good but the message in musical form may have more of an impact.’

Nicole Thompson - record bar worker: ‘I know of several local artistes who are doing well. Kester ‘D’ is one of the best gospel artistes right now. Mariam Williams is also good. If they can get the right sponsorship it will take them places. We (the record bar) were at one time promoting Phil Fraser in his gospel music campaign. The local performers are talented but they don’t have the capital. Private companies should come on board to sponsor local music.’

Nazima Mohamed - housewife: ‘I don’t know a lot of local artistes. I like El Sadiek because they play and sing well. I also like Queen Yasmin. The Government through the Ministry of Culture should help the local music industry and devise ways by which our music can be promoted and marketed.’