LOCAL pub operator Philip Barnett's contentious claim that many of Bermuda's entertainers are past their prime has drawn sharp criticism from some in the entertainment industry.

Renowned local entertainer and matriarch of the Caisey family, June Caisey-Dill, responded to the Pickled Onion boss' assertion, saying: "I want to give of myself and help he younger entertainers improve their skills.

"As regards Mr. Barnett's comment that many of the entertainers are now 'past their prime', I have people up to this day who remember me from past performances and ask me if I remember performing at this or that venue. They fondly recall enjoying our shows when they were coming up.

"If, as he says, about 75 per cent of the current crop of Bermudian performers lack polish and skill, there are many of us who have been in the industry for quite some time who are willing to bring these performers up to a higher standard. It's not a problem that can't be fixed."

Local radio personality Webster B. Tucker exclaimed: "Why would he comment that local entertainers are getting old when he himself has never routinely employed local entertainers? Through the years ? and I can easily go back 30 years or so ? pubs like the Hog Penny have never had local entertainers.

"For Immigration to be asked to relax the laws on this, what is the reason behind it? Is it because he wants to employ entertainers on the cruise ships when the ships are in port?"

The also spoke with the personal assistant to the popular Jahstice reggae band who added: "The band is not made up of older people ? although between the members they have upwards of 100 years of performing experience and they have helped to put Bermuda on the map in terms of reggae music and entertainment.

"They have opened for some of the biggest names in the reggae industry. But it boils down to the lack of respect many of the businesses have for the local entertainers. No disrespect to the foreign acts, but why do these pub owners bend over backwards for the foreign entertainers, many of whom are not even half as good as the sons of the soil, but yet the locals have to play second fiddle to a group of outsiders?

"The current (Immigration) law restricts the foreign entertainers to a nine-month contract and Bermudians must be given first preference."

It was reported that Mr. Barnett bemoaned the fact the Immigration process for a foreign entertainer can take upwards of five months, the Jahstice source explained. After digesting Mr. Barnett's comment, he said common sense suggested that tourists would probably prefer to hear local entertainment ? not acts that played songs the visitors could readily hear back home.

"Mr. Barnett needs to be a bit more balanced in his views," said the Jahstice spokesman.

Nick Dobson, director of education of the Bermuda Drum Institute, also offered his take on the situation.

"I believe there needs to be a balance regarding foreign/Bermudian entertainment. Bermuda needs to ease up on its protectionist stance. On the other hand, all gigs should not be denied to Bermudians.

"Personally, I am training a generation of proficient drummers. Who will they be able to play with locally on a professional level? Bringing in foreign entertainment can keep the bar raised for Bermudians, as well as a source of inspiration for local musicians."

Revellers have seen a downsizing in the number of local entertainers at high-end venues in recent years. Full bands are now things of the past. Usually pubs feature a keyboardist and sometimes an accompanying vocalist.

One avid club attendee said: "Finding quality entertainment locally is hard, period. Most of the venues are not supporting local entertainers. The average Bermudian isn't going to be entertained in a pub environment listening to middle-of-the-road Top 40 tunes they play on the radio stations all day.

"But by way of contrast, I'd argue that many tourists are going to enjoy the local entertainment on offer in the non-tourist spots."

All of the aforementioned sources concurred that the now-defunct Admiralty House Community Centre could be rehabilitated into a viable finishing school for young entertainers and/or an alternative venue for local and possibly foreign entertainers to showcase their talents.