Jamaican reggae great Ernest Ranglin has responded to the announcement that he had withdrawn from Bluesfest 2014 after the suggestion that he got a better offer.
Bluesfest announced the departure from Ernie from their line-up this week stating, “Read into this what you will !! What we read into it, after having successfully toured Ernest Ranglin on two previous occasions via different representatives, among the many who claim to represent him, is that he took a bigger offer after having previously confirmed ours”.
In a statement to Noise11.com Mr Ranglin responded “I must exercise my right of reply to the news media and my audience. My agent had made some bookings and responses for booking(s) in Australia of which I was not aware. I regret the problems associated with that action taken by my agent and apologize to all. The Jamaican Music Industry procedure in regards to agents and bookings is for agents to contact the artiste with a request for performing on a show. After the artiste looks at the Terms and Conditions presented to them in written contract, then, the artiste will make a decision whether to accept or not to accept the contract.
He insists he did not know he was asked to perform at Bluesfest. “I was not asked to look at a contract,” he said.
Ernie Ranglin was to appear as part of the Jamaican Legends with Sly & Robbie and Bitty McLean. The Legends will perform now without Ernie.
The 25th Bluesfest will be held in Byron Bay from April 17-21, 2014.
Artists announced so far include John Mayer, Dr John, Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Greg Allman, Jimmie Vaughan, Aaron Neville, India.Arie, Suzanne Vega and the Dave Matthews Band.
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