Artiste ‘Alabama’, promoter Anderson in payment controversy
A LOCAL musical artiste has alleged that a Guyanese promoter did not honour their financial commitment after he performed at an event last Easter Monday. Clifford Charles, whose stage name is ‘Alabama’, said the arrangement, for him to perform at a concert promoted by Charles Anderson, was made at a friend’s house.
Charles told the Guyana Chronicle that he indicated he would, usually, charge between $80,000 and $100,000 but they, eventually, agreed to $50,000 and he undertook to have four other persons with him on stage.
But Charles is now claiming that, following the April 9 show, when he approached Anderson for payment, the latter informed him that he could not touch the money at the time.
Charles said he then asked Anderson to provide his transportation needs back to the city where he lived, with the understanding that he was going to call him the next day for the cash.
Charles said, upon being told so, Anderson became angry and asked him what he was talking about.
According to Charles, he got a big shock when Anderson enquired what payment he was referring to, as they had not reached any agreement on pay for his performance at the show.

RESTRAINED
Charles said the promoter abused him before breaking a bottle and advanced towards him but was restrained by some other persons who were nearby.
Charles said he went through the crowd, found a policeman and related what had transpired.
The next day, he went to Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara, where he made a report but was told, there, that it was a private matter. It was only after he questioned how a threat to his life could be private that police went in search of and arrested the promoter, who was charged and put before the court.
Meanwhile, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, Anderson declared he never hired him, but it was Charles who begged to perform on the occasion, explaining that he needed an opportunity to push himself.
Anderson maintained that, whenever he has shows, many local artistes would ask him for stage time and he allows them, being cognisant of the fact that they need exposure.
He added that, for his concerts, he would contract overseas artistes and ensure that he signs written contracts, in an effort to avoid the controversy he has found himself in with Charles.
Anderson said that, throughout his marketing of the Easter event, Alabama was not mentioned in any of the promotional clips on television and advertisements on radio.

EXPERIENCE
Anderson said, however, that the experience with Alabama has taught him something and he vowed to never, again, have a local artiste on his stage.
He said, after the concert, he honoured all his monetary commitments and Alabama was not on that list.
Alabama, on the other hand, insisted that he has learnt a lesson after bad experiences with local promoters who, always, try to short change him.
Anyone who wishes to secure his services in the future will have to commit to a written contract.