Manager for award-winning gospel musician Joyce Blessing, says his client deserves credit for improving a gospel song originally performed by veteran gospel group Joyful Way Inc.
Kwesi Ernest says the 1994 song ‘Nyame Eguama’’ was “polished up” and found “worldwide appreciation” after Joyce Blessing’s rendition.
“The Joyful Way Incorporated song that was done by her and Jewel Ackah, in as much as the controversy came, Joyful Way themselves appreciate the way the lady put it” he said in an interview with MzGee on Daybreak Hitz(Showbiz Review).
The controversy came last year after the evangelical music group in a letter, accused Joyce Blessing and her management of copyright infringement.
The artiste was eager to ensure the controversy does not head to court as threatened by Joyful Way Inc.
“I grew up singing this song during my J.Y and schooling days, it was my favourite so I assumed it was a Presbyterian Hymn.”
“I can’t bear the embarrassment in court so am pleading with them we settle the issue out of court.” She also apologised on Accra-based Hello FM.
The issue was amicably settled although details of the settlement remain undisclosed.
“If you pick a song and you downgrade it that is when we can say that you have not used the material well"
"But if you are able to pick somebody’s piece and you are able to polish up....then you have even done very well to the material” he maintained.
Now the 'Heavy Price' gospel hit singer has been given the freedom to use the song ‘Nyame Eguama’.
Ernest stressed that the image of Joyful Way Inc has also enjoyed a boost since his artiste picked up the song.
Joyce Blessing's manager has also had to respond to concerns raised by another gospel musician, Bernard Amankwah, who believes that some gospel musicians simply sing old hymns and recycle old gospel tunes.
He pointed out that Joyce Blessing and some other gospel musicians lack creativity.
But Ernest disagrees with Bernard and believes that the ultimate source of creativity from which every true gospel artiste taps into is the Bible.
“Gospel music is from the bible and you cannot quote anything from beyond the inscription that the biblical has provided”.
Kwesi Ernest
He cautioned against the desire to misrepresent the foundations of gospel music.
“Music is not a movie that needs a script” he said.
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