UPDATE: A representative from Ernie Ranglin's publishing company contacted Eventfinda in response to the news the 81-year-old would no longer be performing next year's Bluesfest.
As previously reported, Bluesfest claimed they booked Ranglin through the agent who represented him the first time they toured him but later learned Ranglin hadn't been notified.
Today, Ranglin released his own statement:
"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.
I was not asked to look at a contract. Thanks. Ernie Ranglin"
81-year-old Jamaican reggae guitarist Ernest Ranglin will no longer play at Bluesfest 2014 due to miscommunications between festival organisers and Ranglin’s agents.
Bluesfest publicists speculate that Ranglin decided to take a "better deal" in Europe after he was already booked to tour with Sly & Robbie and Bitty McLean for The Jamaican Legends tour.
After contacting the agency Bluesfest used the last time Ranglin toured here, they were approached by a French agent also claiming to represent him.
According to Bluesfest, multiple agents often represent Jamaican artists, which makes it hard to be on top of which ones currently represent particular acts.
To add to the miscommunications, Ranglin claims he was never approached to come to Australia for the Bluesfest tour while the agency Bluesfest booked with originally claim to have emails proving otherwise.
Ernest Ranglin’s name will be taken off The Jamaican legends line-up while Bluesfest decides how to replace his act or make up for the disappointment of his absence.
Ernest Ranglin will instead be playing shows in Europe at the same time Bluesfest will be taking place.
