At a recent media launch for his upcoming concert – Ernie Smith Celebrates 50 – the Jamaican musical pioneer spoke of his high and low moments of his musical career.
But first, The Gleaner wanted to know why he has decided to assist the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA), by paying the annual insurance fees for five of its members.
“There are so many people my age who have done their part for the music, and through one circumstance or another, have now fallen on hard times. They are sick and indigent and cannot even bury themselves, and the family can’t,” Smith explained.
And Janet, his wife, continued, “So we have decided to contribute to their insurance. Five people for one year and we will renew it every year for as long as we can.”
Janet and Ernie, speaking interchangeably, said they do not blame these artistes, as Jamaicans never knew too much about copyright, “and for a lot of them, even though their songs made a lot of money, they did not make any”.
“And it really feels good to give back,” Ernie added. The contribution is called The Ernie Smith JAVAA Indigent Insurance Fund.
On the matter of the most exciting moment in his life, there was only one.
With his arms wrapped around Janet, Ernie said, “Well, the most exciting moment of my life is getting back in touch with Janet.” Both attended the same school, but eventually went their separate ways. They reunited 25 years ago, “and it has been magic ever since,” Ernie said.
So which of his over 200 songs was written for the love of his life?
Neither could remember, but Janet believed that all the songs, except a few, are hers.
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