Robert and Jenieve Bailey
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
THE BLOOD-SUCKING parasites known as bootleggers have been wreaking havoc on the secular music scene, locally and overseas. These vermin have of late put on their 'Sunday best' and are now sitting in the holy pews. However, they are still indulging in their devilish acts.
Many artistes in the gospel music industry are crying foul, because piracy is on the rise and they are feeling the edge of the sword in no uncertain terms. It seemingly has a more devastating effect on the finances of gospel artistes in light of the fact that there has been a decrease in the number of major gospel shows staged on the local scene.
The masculine half of the well known duo Robert and Jenieve Bailey attested to the fact that piracy has taken up residence in the spiritual realms. "I think it is rampant. Anywhere you go you see somebody on a cart playing your music," reasoned Robert Bailey.
He continued: "Your music is at large and you are not benefiting from it and I think that everybody knows about it. It is affecting the music in a very bad way."
According to Sandra Brooks, the shot in the arm that piracy in gospel music has received over the years is destroying the fibre of the music. She told The Sunday Gleaner that she knows for sure that bootleggers in England, America and parts of the Caribbean are enjoying the spoils from the work of her colleagues and herself, because her very eyes have beheld the unsanctified duplications.
MORE VIGILANT
President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young, concurred with Mr. Bailey. "It could be more rampant in gospel music, as secular people tend to be more vigilant and aggressive about protecting their property," opined Mr. Young, who highlighted that his organisation would love to be a part of the solution to the problem.
Mr. Young reasoned that the practice is being aided and abetted by social sympathy, as many view piracy as an effort by individuals to make ends meet. As a result, there is a reluctance to act on the part of those responsible to take the appropriate steps to eradicate piracy from the music industry.
"The fact is that it reduces sales and a lot of money is being lost. It is really widespread and appears to be growing," Mr. Young said.
He added that what makes matters worse is that these pirated CDs are cheaper and are on par with the authentic production, that is, where quality is concerned. In any business, location and availability are key and the bootleggers have the authentic retailers beat hands down in both aspects.
The significant rise in piracy within the sanctuaries of gospel music raises a few questions. One is, are Christians supporting this illegal venture? While it can be understood that piracy thrives in the secular world, it should not be so in the sanctified world.
"Sad to say, Christians are supporting them and it is wrong," Sandra Brooks stated. However, she pointed out that some people are still ignorant about copyright matters. Nonetheless, Ms. Brooks said that she knows of Christians who are spearheading the duplication process for means of financial gain.
Her view was bolstered by Mr. Young, who said: "I suspect that some of the people who are supporting the pirates are Christians, but then there are those who just appreciate the music form." He further stated that many individuals are unmindful of their actions; nonetheless those who are advocating the practice must desist.
Artistes who are aware that their intellectual property is being pirated can contact the police with the information and the lawmen should deal with the matter. However, it seems as if the lawmen are not taking the initiative to go out and throw a monkey wrench at these illegal operators - maybe they have more pressing irons on the fire.
UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING
The nonchalance of the state was highlighted by Ms. Brooks, who thinks that if the state peps up their approach it would reduce the uncontrolled bleeding. "We need more policing of the music. I don't think it is being done properly. If more persons were being locked up, people would get the message that it is adversely affecting the industry," said Ms. Brooks.
The arguments that increased efforts by the police are needed to zap the pirate vermin were supported by Mr. Bailey. "I don't think we can do anything about it until the laws are set in place. But I think that it will soon be under control," he said.
The Bible states that two cannot walk together unless they agree. This was supported by Robert's wife, Jenieve Bailey. "As artistes we can't do much. The legal people have to do it; that is why we have laws," she reasoned.
Mr. Young believes that public education and vigilance on the part of all parties involved is an appropriate approach to put a clamp on the situation which is evidently on the rise.
