IN The Beginning Part 2

As I toured across Canada and the USA with Ernie Smith, on many occasions at the end of each gig, I was instructed to return to the hotel. I found this very upsetting, because they were usually on their way to some after-party event. I couldn’t help feeling left out.
I was often reminded that I was only an apprentice. And had to pay my dues. I took advantage of their absence to take Ernie’s guitar to my room and teach myself to play.
This went on for some time; I endured the pain and burning in my fingers as I attempted to develop my skills as a guitar player. I practiced in secret to avoid ridicule from the other band members. No one knew of my desire to become a big time, front-line guitarist.
As time went buy my secret became exposed to two members of the band, who were very instrumental in helping me developed.
On this occasion we were in Quebec City Canada, as the band was instructed to start Ernie was nowhere in sight, we were faced with a dilemma to perform without Ernie.
All eyes were now on me as I strapped on his guitar. The bass player then called some cords to a song he was going to sing. The house was filed with reggae and rasta lovers who started to scream as we played. About half way through the song I saw Ernie in the audience looking at us in amazement. As the song ended Ernie rushed to the stage and took his guitar. He wanted to know when, where, and how I had learned to play the instrument so well.
My title as apprentice was about to quickly vanish!
To be continued
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In The Beginning Part 1

Tony Gits

Click On Picture To Read Part 2

I went to Canada from Jamaica in the late 70's to visit my cousin Ed, who at the time was the percussionist for Ernie Smith.On this particular day I was to accompany Ed to a rehearsal at the Bathurst Street Theater, this rehearsal was to prepare for a performance that night.As I sat alone in the big ,empty theater watching the band, Ernie became frustrated as the three female background singers failed to sing the harmony correctly.I have no idea what possessed me. I stood up and shouted “I can do it”. Ernie told me to come up on stage and take the mike, to my surprise I was right on the money.He then turned to me and said he was looking for a background vocalist and percussionist, I immediately said I’m your guy. I knew in my heart I had no experience,but this was what I wanted to do. This was to be the beginning of my musical journey.

Along with the glammer and glitter came many responsibilities, I was now chief cook and bottle washer in the literal sense. I was often referred to as, “Prento” short for Apprentice.My duties were driving the van, cooking washing setting up and tearing down the PA system. It was no fun in the cold and snow.As time passed I grew and developed. All I cared about was the music and did what I had to do to be there. My cousin Ed was employed in the hotel industry and was able to travel occasionally.He often told me I stole his job, but if it were not for Ed I would not have made the link with Ernie. Many years would go by, I knew I wanted moor than singing background and playing processions. I wanted to play guitar, sing lead, write and record songs. Thus began the next stage of my musical journey.

To be continued.........

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When I Was A Boy

I was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica. We lived five minutes away from "Studio One", the first Recording Studio ever operated in Jamaica. My sister and I had to walk past this studio twice a day on our way to and from school. We would have to take the bus from Cross Roads to Half-Way-Tree. On our daily journey we would notice a long line of musicians and singers hoping to be noticed and perhaps get their "big break" There were all sorts of people hanging around, some were ligitimate others were only looking for an easy victim to rob. One day, while on our usual trip past "Studio One", I felt a hard, sharp implement pushing into my side, I was to be the next victim, the object was a knife and the holder was after my lunch money. This was not a rare occurance, we were frequently parted from our money. Imagine not having any money to get on the bus and having to walk to and from school. Also imagine being at school all day with nothing to eat or drink because some criminal took your money. On one occasion we even got punished by my mother because we got home late as we had to walk home. Later on in life I realized that these people were poor and probably hungry. The phrase "starving artist" comes to mind, they would stand in the hot Jamaican sun with no food or water waiting to get their chance at the big life. Those who wer e noticed would sell their song to Studio One for ten pounds, and even if that song became a hit record that was all they got! As time went on I became well known among the artists and the people at Studio One, this spared me from further robberies and I was allowed to walk in peace. Studio One was owned by the Coxsone,family and Mother Coxsone, soon noticed me. She would give me "test pressings" which were warped and of no use to them. I would hurry home to play them. This was the beginning of my love for and facination with music and the music business. After twentysix years in the music business I am able to understand the hardships those artists faced. It was even more difficult for these pioneers as there were no other studios to go to. They had no choice but to stand and wait and take whatever price was offered for their work.

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My Struggle With Rasta & Reggae

My struggle with Rasta and Reggae music have been tightly interwoven through the fabric of my life. As a young man, entering adulthood, there was strong opposition to me taking up the Rasta Faith. My family tried to get me to cut my hair and go to Catholic Mass! They also tried to get me to forget music and concentrate on a nine-to-five job. As far as I was concerned they might as well ask me to walk on hot coals! No way was I about to give up my Faith or my love of music. There was not other alternative, I had to leave and be myself. I fled the family ties and migrated to Canada, where I was free to outwardly manifest my belief. It was there, far away from home that I put on my Dreadlocks and persued music full time. I had countless dreams of being a musician and that has been all I have ever wanted to do as far back as I can remember. Anyone who made the decision to follow Rastafari in those days exposed themselves to descrimination and redicule. Many were disowned by their parents and family. JAH has been my strength and comfort. I am determined and will never give up any one of my true loves, neither Rastafari nor Music!..............One Love.

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