ARTISTE and show promoter Tony Rebel is making an impassioned plea for Jamaicans to protect the local music industry.

The call came at Tuesday's launch of the 19th staging of his birthday celebration -- Rebel Salute, set for January 14 at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth.

 According to Rebel, his worldwide travels have given him a greater appreciation of Jamaican music and culture, and, therefore, it is important that this is protected.

"Artistes and producers need to make good music. The public must support good, wholesome music while radio personalities should strive to create that balance, by playing some of the good music," Rebel said.

He said Rebel Salute this year will be a tribute to Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence and, therefore, will see artistes taken from a wide cross-section of the musical landscape.

This year's line-up is headed by Stephen Marley, who Rebel said will bring the essence of his father, reggae icon Bob Marley, to the event.

Among the other artistes billed to appear are Queen Ifrica, Johnny Osbourne, Tarrus Riley, Maxi Priest, Yami Bolo, Gramps Morgan, Romain Virgo, Duane Stephenson, Max Romeo, Johnny Clarke, Capleton and Eric Donaldson.

— Richard Johnson