Frankie Campbell, head of Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates, addressing the audience at the launch of YARD (Youth for Arts and Recreational Development) Empire in New Kingston last Wednesday. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

IT may sound like a stuck record — a Jamaican artiste dies and the family is seeking support to meet the funeral expenses. But this is a situation which has been played out in the media on several occasions in recent times.Frankie Campbell, head of Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes & Affiliates (JAVAA), said he has heard this ‘song’ one too many times. While putting the blame squarely at the artistes’ feet, he cites the reason as lack of proper planning.

“The problem is that when they are making money, they do not plan for the future. They have to understand that the lifespan for success is usually limited, and therefore, they must save something for a rainy day,” Campbell, a member of the Fab Five band, told the Jamaica Observer.

Formed close to 14 years ago, JAVAA’s mandate is to represent and protect artistes’ and musicians’ interests and help preserve the musical heritage. The organisation also provides group life and health insurance in the event of death or medical emergencies regarding its members and their immediate families.

“But what you find is that normally, they don’t want the government and organisations like JAVAA to interfere with their business,” Campbell added.

Desmond Young, who heads another umbrella group – Jamaica Federation of Musicians & Affiliated Artistes (JFM) — believes the root of the problem is the refusal of artistes to take wise business advice.

He said only a mere 10 per cent of the artistes, musicians, producers and other contributors to the industry are paid members of any professional industry body.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/put-plans_101045