Guyana’s music industry remains troubling to those of us involved in it, and while the issues surrounding intellectual property rights, including the contentious copyright aspect, are a key part of it, the problems are varied and complex. Recently, respected musician and teacher Derry Etkins pointed to one when he spoke out on the need for Guyanese to become more musically literate, and his point is valid – doing a recording here four years ago, I needed a cellist; I could find only one and she hadn’t played in 7 years. However, the more fundamental issue for music in Guyana is that 
we lack the infrastructure needed to propel a music industry – essentially, places to play. The foundation, the very core, of any music industry one sees anywhere is that the aspiring talented young hopefuls that Derry is talking about, have places to go and learn their craft. It is in those places of entertainment – nightclubs, hotels, bars, restaurants, reception halls, etc – where the construction of the music industry begins as musicians, in effect, become musicians. There is no other way to do it. Despite the long hours a musician may spend practising his/her instrument or vocal technique, it is only in the encounter with the public that you separate the wheat from the chaff.
