ReggaeRunnins.com - In De News - 10.03.03
 Ernie Smith: "I decided that I wanted to do music and it had to pay."
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Ernie Smith Musgrave Medal Awardee
IN 1973 Ernie Smith became the first Jamaican popular musician to be honoured by the government when he received the Prime Minister's Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service. "I
received a badge of honour from Michael Manley...being the first
popular local artiste to receive such an award," Smith told
Spalsh.
Next
Wednesday, and numerous hits later, the popular Jamaican icon is
scheduled to receive his latest award -- the bronze Musgrave Medal
for his contribution to popular music.
In
the 1970s Smith captivated the Jamacan public with contagious lyrics
in songs such as Bend Down (1970), One Dream (1971), Ride on Sammy
(1971) Life Is Just For Living (1972), Pitta Patta (1972) Duppy
Gunman (1974) and The Power and the Glory (1976).
His songs became anthems, reflecting the mood of the typical Jamaican and current occurrences of the time. People still clearly remember the lyrics, says Smith, adding that even young children warm to the songs. "I still have a fresh audience, when I play for the kids they know all my songs. Over the years so many kids have heard those songs on the radio" Of
his extensive compilation Smith refrains from singling out a favourite.
"My songs are my children and I love them all," he quipped.
The
58-year-old had his first recording in 1967. He was working at Reynolds
Jamaica Mines and played guitar in a band, Vandals, which he also
managed. On a trip to Kingston for a radio interview Smith took
time to introduce his lyrics to people at Federal Records, founded
by another 2003 Musgrave Medal awardee, the late Ken Khouri.
"They
got me to record it the same day. That was my first recording, I
Can't Take It, but it never did well," Smith recalled.
Two
other flops followed, spurring Smith to abandon the ballad style
of music and his new job as an insurance salesman in 1969.
"I
decided that I wanted to do music and it had to pay" he said
in a deep baritone.
Ironically,
his first recording became the only million-seller written by Smith
when Johnny Nash did a cover retitled Tears on My Pillow two years
after the initial release.
"The
hits didn't start until I did Bend Down which was Reggae. After
that I did Ride on Sammy and Life is Just for Living," he said.
Life
is just for Living, written as a Red Stripe beer advertising jingle,
catapulted Smith into international recognition when it took top
spot at the third World Popular Song Festival, sponsored by the
Yamaha Foundation for Music Education in Japan. Smith in his effort
beat out songs from well known writers including the legendary Neil
Sedaka.
"It
was written as a full-length song and it tied with (a song from)
England," Smith remembered.
Relaxing
at home the dreadlocked Smith recalls when he left Jamaica in 1976.
"There
were a lot of people looking to leave at the time. Then the song
The Power and the Glory, a social commentary on the political climate
in Jamaica, was banned. I heard that the powers that be were not
pleased," he reminisced.
"When
I got to Miami I heard that my life was threatened. After I read
that I didn't want to come back."
Smith
subsequently lived in the United States for 13 years until 1989.
"It
is really (hurricane) Gilbert that brought me back. I came to do
a show when I heard that hurricane was coming." And so he had
to stay. The warmth and camaraderie that the disaster brought out
in Jamaicans struck a chord and the songwriter was drawn back home.
Smith has since divided his time between Connecticut, USA, and Jamaica.
Born
in a music-loving family, his father George played the guitar for
recreation and his mother, Linnette, sang on her church choir.
And
as youngsters the Smith siblings, all nine, performed in national
pop and mento competitions. Actually two of Smith's sisters sang
background on his first hit Bend Down.
Regarded
internationally as a top class singer and songwriter, Smith has
performed in several countries, including Germany, Brazil, Great
Britain, Holland, Italy, and the US.
In
1997, he celebrated his 30th anniversary as a recording artiste
with the release of the CD compilation After Thirty Years -- Life
is Just for Living. The prolific Smith has written over 200 songs,
including Hail The Man for Ken Lazarus and Play De Music and Elsaida
for Tinga Stewart. He has also written songs for John Jones and
Neville Willoughby. His lastest release, done in 2003, is a compilation
CD summing up his achievements -- Living At His Best.
And
on the popular Dancehall trend Smith says he loves the rhythms but
abhors the slackness and derogatory lyrics. He adds however that
more and more artistes are coming with clean lyrics. "I think
that is good, not everybody wants to say something slack."
His passion about the subject has even led to an album Dancehall
-- Ernie Cleans It Up.
"Music to me is something that serves a higher end," Smith said. |