Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Chevelle Franklin performs at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission 'Gospel 2K6 Finals Show', held at the National Arena, Independence Park, recently.

Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Local distribution companies are feeling the brutal brunt of music piracy.

The music aimed at creating an atmosphere of godliness and righteous living is now on the brink a major collapse, and it seems as if only the Lord himself can save it.

According to Dale Flynn, director of Life Music, 80 per cent of the sale of gospel music is through bootleg copies sold on the street.

It was almost feasible five years ago when it was a 50/50 ration, but it is now at an alarming rate.

"If it were not for the grace of God, we would be dead right now," Flynn said.

Piracy is a widespread phenomenon and secular entertainers suffer just as much. He said it was a bad idea to distribute the burning equipment, but the problem can be combated if CD manufacturers find a way to make it impossible to burn CDs.

A main part of the problem, he thinks, has to do with educating both the public and the artistes about how destructive illegal CDs can be to the industry and the country.

It would be hard to think that adults who sell and those who buy the products do not know it is illegal, but there are many who are unaware. Tommy Cowan of Glory Music echoes the same sentiments. He said there have been attempts but law enforcers are not as forceful as they should be.

Music piracy is at a stage where only legal action will suppress it. Here is a shocker. Some gospel artistes do not have a problem with the sales. It serves as a promotion for them whenever they have a stage show, in which they make the bulk of the money.

"Some of the artistes look at selling bootleg CDs as a way of promoting their music. It is a real problem," Cowan said.

But the problem with that is, only the artistes benefit. Distribution companies do not make their money from stage shows. Instead, they depend on the proceeds from distributing the music.

It has become so brazen that Noel Willis, managing director of Grace Thrillers, is dreading the release of his next album.It is especially appalling that Christian are the biggest supporters. But this goes back to educating the masses and appealing to their conscience.

For now, a lot of the companies have surrendered their distribution rights for imported music. There is no competition between the distribution companies and the bootleg vendors, since CDs are cheaper and more accessible on the street.

Flynn said Jamaicans need to realise that salvation is free but it costs. "They think they shouldn't have to pay for it. It is unfortunate that Christians are the transgressors," he said.

It is also unfortunate that Christians who get their music legitimately are also feeling the brunt with higher prices.

"We are all experiencing it (piracy) and it very crippling to the industry. It is very ungodly and illegal."

"You, the artistes, can't benefit from your own investment and your creativity. It is very frustrating," said Cleve 'Stitchie' Laing.

Perhaps there needs to be a holistic approach when dealing with the problem. If each part of the whole can determine how the country will benefit from doing what is right, it should not be that hard to comply. International acts will not come to Jamaica if the sale of their music is negligible.

The work getting uplifting music across will be hindered. And a nation that is considered a Christian nation will probably become more belligerent. It seems as if education is really the key.