ERNIE SMITH . . . . THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC Ernie Smith's professional musical career began with his first recording in 1967, an original composition - "I Can't Take It", later recorded by Johnny Nash as "Tears On My Pillow." Hits followed in quick succession, including "Bend Down," "Ride On Sammy," "One Dream," and "Pitta Patta." Duppy Gunman" In 1972 at the World Popular Song Festival of the Yamaha Foundation in Tokyo, he won the grand prize competing with songwriters like Neil Sedaka, and Michael Legrand, with his original composition of "Life is Just for Living." Ernie became the first Jamaican musician to win an International award. For this historic achievement, he became the first musician in the field of Popular Music to be honoured by the Jamaican Government. In 1976, Ernie was forced into exile in North America because of his controversial political commentary in the song, "The Power and the Glory". Ironically, the once-banned song is still relevant and even more popular. Today, twenty-six years after its release it is the battle song for all the talk shows and community activists. In the first 3 of the 13 years in exile from his homeland, he thrilled audiences In Canada, where he resided for 3 years, and was a pioneer in bringing Reggae to the mainstream. Critics hailed his album "To Behold Jah" (1979) as "one of the most important albums to come out of Canada for [the] year [1979]." Ernie has written well over 200 songs, some of which have been recorded by other artistes, including Rita Marley, Chakka Demus and Pliers, Twiggy, Ken Lazarus, John Jones, Eddie Lovette, Yellow Man Johnny Nash, among others. Ernie played on many of the world stages including repeat performances at Madison Square Garden, New York (1973,1974 and 1999); Place de Nacion, Montreal; Camp Fortune, Ottawa; Ontario Place, Alexandria Palace, Convocation Hall, Toronto; The Martinez Ballroom, Cannes, Disney World, France; Rio, Brazil; Expo 93, Taejon, and Muju Resorts, Korea; Nippon Budokon Hall, Tokyo, Japan; Henry J. Bean Club, Brussels; San Marino, Milan, Rome, Italy; other European venues including, Amsterdam, Switzerland Germany; the East Coast of the USA and middle America including July Jam Festival, Lincoln, Nebraska; Belize City, Central America; Georgetown, Guyana, South America several venues in the Caribbean including Barbados, Trinidad, St Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Maarten, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Artists with whom Ernie has shared performance stages: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Police, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs, The Mighty Diamonds, Byron Lee and the Dragoneers, Leroy Sibbles, Eric Donaldson, Toots and the Maytals, Carlos Malcolm, The Vikings, Fab Five, Bare Essentials, Carlene Davis, Freddy McGregor, Tony Rebel, Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Culture, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Cash, Johnny Nash, Skeeter Davis, James Carr and many more AWARDS 1972 Winner of the World Popular Song Festival, Sponsored by the Yamaha Foundation 1973 Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service in the Field of Popular Music, Government of Jamaica 1992 Award of Merit for the most inspirational entry, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission 1993 Award of Merit, Canadian Reggae Awards 1994 Longevity Award, CHRY 105.5FM, Canada 1997 Best Produced Album in Jamaica for the year 1997 - "After 30 Years Life Is Just For Living", JAMI; Best produced song of the year "Didn't Know We Were Poor" 1998 Show "30 years and Counting" deemed the best show ever produced in Jamaica. 1999 Nominated for the Bob Marley Life time Achievement Award - Tamika Awards, New York Contact: Janet Smith, Manager, Ernie Smith Music Ltd., In the USA- Phone: 860 242 2442 Fax: 860 243 2958 e-mail: erniesmithmusic@hotmail.com Also visit: http//incolor/cvanpelt/erniehome.html for independent reviews In Jamaica: Box 182, Red Hills P. O., St. Andrew, Jamaica, W.I. Phone: (876) 944 - 3054; Hits over the years CD 1 1 1967 I Can't Take It - also recorded by Johnny Nash as Tears on My Pillow and others 2 1971 Bend Down - also recorded by Rita Marley and others 3 1971 Ride On Sammy 4 1971 Girl - also recorded by Ken Lazarus 5 1971 One Dream 6 1971 Sunday Morning Composer: Kris Kristofossen (re-arrangement by Ernie Smith) 7 1972 Pitta Patta - also recorded by Chaka Demus and Pliers 8 1972 Life Is Just For Living - also recorded by Eddie Lovett 9 1972 Bad Woman 10 1972 Footprints on the Ceiling 11 1972 Hail the Man - also recorded by Ken Lazarus 12 1974 Duppy Gunman - also recorded by YellowMan 13 1974 Play De Music -also recorded by Tinga Stewart 14 1974 Elsaida 15 1974 All for Jesus - also recorded Merl Gayle and others 16 1974 Rebel Music 17 1976 The Power and the Glory aka We De People/As We Fight One Another 18 1978 Don't Down Me Now 19 1978 To Behold Jah 20 1978 Time 21 1981 Stay Awhile With Me 22 1987 Let the Children Play 23 1987 Singer Man 24 1987 Mr. Music 25 1989 New York, You're Going Crazy 26 1990 I'm On Your Side 27 1992 Ghetto Monday - G. Smith & S. Richards 28 1996 Didn't Know We Were Poor 29 1996 Don't Worry Mama 30 1996 Sister Brawta 1996 Didn't Know We Were Poor (A Capella) All songs written by Glenroy Anthony ("Ernie") Smith except Sunday Morning, by Kris Kristofossen & Ghetto Monday co-written with Sammy Richards, I'm On Your Side, melody by Susan Couch. DISCOGRAPGHY ALBUMS (by Federal Records & Jah Music) · Ernie Smith's Greatest Hits · Pitta Patta · For the Good Times · Ernie . . . Smith that is! · I'll Sing for Jesus · Pure Gold Rock n' Roll/Rock Steady · To Behold Jah · Ska Reggae By Ernie Smith Music Ltd. · On the Road · Dance Hall: Ernie Cleans It Up! · Step Up · Folk songs of Jamaica COMPACT DISC (Ernie Smith Music Ltd.) · Dance Hall: Ernie Cleans It Up! · Folk Songs of Jamaica · Step Up · After 30 Years Life is Just for Living LOOK OUT FOR ERNIE'S "ANOTHER THOUSAND YEARS" which heralds the new century and, "CHANGE YOUR MIND" recapturing the captivating "SKA" Rhythm . . . . . COMING TO YOU SOON!!!