Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Julian Willock calls for local artistes to be treated fairly

- the former Permanent Secretary said local artistes who perform for Festival should demand a contract, 50% deposit & all their money after they perform
Former Permanent Secretary Julian Willock said local artists who perform for festival should demand a contract, 50% deposit and all their money after they perform. Photo: File
The interview with Mr Julian Willock can be found on the entertainment site Krazyhype.com. Photo: VINO
The interview with Mr Julian Willock can be found on the entertainment site Krazyhype.com. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn had failed to deliver on his promise that local artistes would have been paid by December 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn had failed to deliver on his promise that local artistes would have been paid by December 2015. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Emerging as one of the voices of reason in the Virgin Islands on policies, the financial services sector and uniting the country, former Permanent Secretary and businessman, the esteemed Julian Willock, has lent his voice to the matter on how local artistes are treated.

Mr Willock was at the time being interviewed by Entertainment news site Krazyhype.com host Ramoamasgana ‘Masa’ Pemberton.

Treat our people fair

When asked by the host in the 30 minute interview about the controversy over the local artistes not being treated fairly by the Government and having to wait almost a year to be paid after being promised by the Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn to be paid last year, Mr Willock gave some candid advice to the local performers.

Firstly, Mr Willock called for a level playing field in that both local and foreign artistes must be treated the same. The former senior civil servant said that “local artistes have all performed well and they are professionals and must demand a contract with 50% deposit up front and when they finish their performance they need to receive all of their money.”

He also told Krazyhype.com in the video interview that has blown up on social network that “there must be a balance...the same treatment that the outside artistes are getting that is the same treatment should be given to your own…”

Wawlyn’s broken promise

Last year controversy erupted when most of the local artistes who performed for the 2015 Festival were not paid while regional and international performers received all their monies.

Many of the local artistes spoke out against this type of discrimination and blasted the Minister for Education and Culture Hon Walwyn. He responded in promising that by December 2015 all artistes would be paid, however, it was another broken promise. Most of them got paid this year with some of them reporting to have had challenges with cashing their cheques, however, the matter was later rectified.

During the issue of non-payment of local artistes this year, a cheque for $35,045.59 surfaced which showed that the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee paid that amount to MVW International, a company owned by the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Walwyn.

It is unclear what the payment was for as the Minister has refused to respond to questions on this matter.

20 Responses to “Julian Willock calls for local artistes to be treated fairly”

  • pat (27/05/2016, 13:49) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    willock bossie you Jammi
  • conflict (27/05/2016, 14:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    So he give himself ah eat
  • Yes (27/05/2016, 14:57) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Ok his 5 min of fame is up lol
    • @ lol (29/05/2016, 22:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      they have to keep runing to willock the media that is, because apparently the present minister and his minions are clueless...
  • music allience (27/05/2016, 16:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with Mr Willock
  • wize up (27/05/2016, 17:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    is mr willock laying the foundation for his political entrance......
  • No (27/05/2016, 18:43) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    What artists!!!?? They can only perform in the Bvi. They are not half ready for the real artist thing!
  • virgin gorda (27/05/2016, 19:29) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good cause jw
  • Yes (27/05/2016, 20:09) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    He wont get back his deposit.
  • local musician (27/05/2016, 20:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with willock. However local acts need to step up big time. Listen to a local recording compare to foreign we sound so inferior... We need spend time mixing our music. Get the blend the weight and message tight... Our musicians are just as good. But their recording sounds like they are in a rush to release..
  • voter (28/05/2016, 00:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    very good points Willock you seems to be the real Leader of the Opp
    • COME AGAIN (28/05/2016, 20:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      i heard about the attack by Walwyn on Willock and I must say its rather unsophisticated,
  • justin case you missed it (28/05/2016, 00:14) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    "During the issue of non-payment of local artistes this year, a cheque for $35,045.59 surfaced which showed that the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee paid that amount to MVW International, a company owned by the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Walwyn."
    • @ justin case you missed it (28/05/2016, 08:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I for sure did not miss it hope a question is asked in the House of Assembly
  • Albion (28/05/2016, 20:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    keep speaking out J as your children and grand children will not forgive you and will wonder so how do you sit there and watch the country bleed from the infamous Myrun and others
  • Observer (28/05/2016, 20:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is mind boggling the suicidal tendencies in this country and disregard for logic and commonsense at the highest levels placed there to protect the country.
  • trrefdrfds (29/05/2016, 22:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    when you speak the truth in an educated manner like willock is doing the public will response
  • wise advise (29/05/2016, 23:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Although there may be an emotional impulse to fight fire with fire, the martial arts do not resolve to that answer.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.