MIRAMAR – With seven CDs and three books under her belt, Joan Andrea Hutchinson is now signed to entertainment distribution giants, VP Records. The signing took place recently at VP Record’s Miramar, Florida office, between Hutchinson and VP’s General Manager for Florida and the Caribbean, Howard Chung.
With the inking of this deal, VP records will now handle the distribution of Hutchinson’s work in North America, Europe and The Caribbean.
According to Hutchinson, being signed to VP is an idea whose time had come, as the hunger for her material in these markets will now be satisfied. Her seven CDs include two of Jamaican proverbs, one each of Jamaican Love poetry and Anancy stories, plus the wonderfully hilarious Hutchinson style social commentary and comedy in her poems and dramatic monologues. Her latest release is Kin Teet Kibba heart Bun – a celebration of the creativity of Jamaican ‘poor’ people, released as a book and CD.
VP Records, which distributes several international recording artistes, also handles the work of cultural icon Louise Bennett, Miss Lou, as well as that of comedic duo Ity and Fancy cat. However, according to Chung there is a need for more of the type of material which Hutchinson delivers.
Hutchinson’s North American manager, Eddy Edwards of Riddims Marketing, was quite excited about the signing of Hutchinson to VP. “This was waiting to happen”, he said “Joan Andrea is well loved and respected all across the Diaspora as an authority on Jamaican culture. VP will now help to quench the thirst for her published and recorded works.”
And what is next for the ‘always-creating-something’ Joan Andrea Hutchinson? She is running with the recommendation from VP Records to produce a DVD of her work, with the hope of launching by summer. “The material is ready and I am ready … I’m just hoping to get the sponsorship to make it happen”, she said, while insisting “come hell or high water, it will happen because it must.” The DVD will include some of her popular works such as ‘Rapunzel’ – the skit originally performed in Laugh Jamaica , plus comedy, storytelling, poetry, folk songs , proverbs and Anancy stories.
Joan Andrea Hutchinson a.k.a ‘Dat Bumpy head Gal’ (center) discusses her books and CDs with VP Record’s General Manager for Florida, Howard Chung, (r ) shortly after being signed to VP in mid February. At left is Hutchinson’s North American Manager Eddy Edwards.
Her vision for the DVD is that it will become a favourite among Jamaicans in the Diaspora, seeking to remember and maintain contact with Jamaican culture, and persons wanting to learn about or conduct research on Jamaican culture.
