‘Duppy’ bands get new lease on life

"It was like mi hear seh Jesus a come for di world!" This was the feeling that Damion Carter said he experienced when Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the entertainment sector would be reopened yesterday.

The crippling effects of the lockdown of the entertainment sector, which was done to contain the spread of COVID-19, was not just felt by entertainers and organisers of parties, round-robins and drink-outs. It extended to the 'after-life' sector, as 'duppy' bands that normally play at set-ups found themselves struggling to survive. To compound things, these bands - like Brite Star Entertainment of which Carter is a leader - were not allowed at home-going services as funerals were banned, and limits were placed on the number of persons allowed at gravesides for the 30-minute send-off for the deceased.

"It was rough because there are 10 of us in the band, some of us depend on the band activities for an income. We are a very busy band because we do not only do funerals and set-ups, but weddings, parties, conventions etc ... So we are always busy working. But when COVID came it set us back like every other person. We lost a lot of finances," Carter said.

"We didn't sink and that's a good thing. We found creative ways to make a dollar. I, for example, raise animals and so on," he added.

Carter said that the Clarendon-based band has been flooded with bookings since the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions that affected their operations.

"We have about 25 dates set already. We are back in full force and we are happy the place open back, so it is now our responsibility to follow the protocols so we don't have another lockdown," he said.

Meanwhile, the picture is not all that rosy for members of the Real Duppy Band, which is based in Hagley Gap, St Thomas. Kemar Coombs, manager of the six-member band, said they are eager to start playing again but they have not secured any appointments.

"Fortunately, some of the members of the band do not solely depend on music for an income, but unfortunately there are others who do, and it has been especially hard for them. It is not like we are a recording band where we have a set salary coming in. We are a live band, so we only get pay when we play," Coombs said.

"To say that it has been hard is really a soft word. But members had to get creative and try other means, but it really didn't work well for some people. It has been really rocky," added Coombs, who is now hoping that the relaxation of the restrictions will breathe new life into the business.