Roadside Productions began out of desperation. I was doing the hotel circuit in the North Coast of Jamaica.The work became scarce and gigs were few. I decided to hit the road, producing talented but poor Jamaican singers and dj's, and performing wherever there was work. During this journey I realized that I was always at the mercy of others, if they didn't hire me I would starve! It dawned on me that I needed to be self- reliant, I had to be in charge of my craft. Roadside Productions is my emancipation, my vehicle to freedom. Freedom to write,to create, to play what I want to play, to keep reggae pure, to let my voice be heard.

 

Techno Dread

THE MUSIC BUSINESS IS DIFFICULT TO ENTER IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BAG OF MONEY OR POWERFULL CONTACTS. IT IS LIKE THE BIBLICAL CLASH BETWEEN DAVID AND GOLIATH. THE INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN WHO WANTS TO SELL THEIR MUSIC FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE.
ON ONE OCCASION MY GUITAR WAS STOLEN IN DALLAS AND I WAS UNABLE TO WORK. I HAD NO OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME! I HAD IN A BOX ONE THOUSAND COPIES OF MY ALBUM "GIVE JAH THE PRAISE". I TRIED TO GET THE LOCAL RECORD RETAILERS TO PLACE IT IN THEIR STORES. THE BIG CHAINS SAID "NO" BECAUSE I DID NOT BELONG TO ANY ESTABLISHED RECORD COMPANY. A FEW OF THE SMALLER STORES WOULD AGREE TO PLACE MY MUSIC IN THEIR STORE BUT ONLY ON THE BOTTOM SHELF! I BECAME ACUTELY AWARE THAT THE INDEPENDENT ROUTE, WHERE THE ARTIST IS IN CONTROL, WAS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY ONE.

I BEGAN TO SELL MY MUSIC ON THE ROAD, WALKING AROUND WITH A BOX OF RECORDS, APPROACHING ANYONE WHO LOOKED LIKE THEY WOULD BUY! I SOLD EVERY ONE OF THEM OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS! I HAVE REMAINED INDEPENDENT EVER SINCE! IT HAS BEEN A SLOW AND OFTEN FRUSTRATING WAY TO GO BUT I SEE NO OTHER CHOICE..

ROADSIDE PRODUCTIONS UNDERSTANDS THE TRIALS THAT FACE THE INDEPENDENT ARTIST. WE ARE WILLING TO PROMOTE GOOD MUSIC ON OUR SITE TO GIVE UNKNOWN MUSICIANS A FORUM IN WHICH TO PLACE THEIR MUSIC. SEND US AN E-MAIL AND LET US HEAR YOUR MUSIC.

info@roadsidereggae.com