ECCO assists members impacted by TS ERIKA

At a press conference held on the 23^rd of December the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) handed out cheques to 5 of its members who were affected by TS ERIKA on the 27^th of August. The event which was held at the Calypso House was chaired by ECCO member and music publisher Daryl Bobb while the cheques were handed out to the five affected members by ECCO chairman Mc Carthy Marie.

Mr. Marie explained that at a meeting of the Board of Directors in early October a decision was taken that the sum of EC$5000 would be made available to affected members. The money was taken from the society’s reserve fund, which is a sum equal to 5% of the distributable revenue that is put aside for unexpected expenses.

The persons who received cheques were: Marcel “CO” Mark of the Midnight Groovers, Adrien Bannis, a songwriter of gospel songs, Pierre Labassiere of the Sound Masters band from Good Hope, James Aaron and Carla Nerida Stoute also known as Joy Stoute. Mr. Mark and Ms. Stoute were unable to attend to receive their cheques in person and received their envelopes later in the day.

Mr. Marie explained that the amount given to each of the five recipients was determined by the amount of the loss each person suffered as well as the ability of the recipient to secure financial and other assistance from other sources.

The recipients of the donation all expressed thanks to ECCO and thought that the timing of the gift was appropriate as it would allow them to have a merrier Christmas than they would otherwise have had.

After the handing over ceremony the members of the media questioned Mr. Marie and Mr. Bobb for approximately 30 minutes on the functioning of ECCO and its sister societies particularly as the organization’s work affected their operations.

James Aaron receives his donation

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Chair of ECCO Marie (left) and Bobb at the press conference