Cristy Barber

Cristy Barber, Vice-President of Marketing and Promotions for VP Records, will be leaving VP Records to head to Nashville.

Speaking with The STAR yesterday while in Jamaica, Barber disclosed that she resigned from her position and will officially leave the company on December 14. Barber has been the vice- president of marketing and promotions for VP for the last four years. According to her, the decision to leave was an amicable one, saying that she wants a personal change in her life. She said, "I don't think it came as a shock to anybody at VP, they've known that I've always wanted to go to Nashville. I've spent 20 years in the reggae industry and right now I'm not sure what I want to do."

Barber started off in the business at Capitol Records, before moving on to Columbia Records, Island Jamaica, Elecktra, VP, Tuff Gong International and Ghetto Youths International, Island Def Jam and then to VP once again. Recognised as one of the most successful executives in the reggae and urban music markets, Barber has produced, signed, developed and marketed over 25 recording artistes in her career, setting the strategic agenda for an array of platinum and award-winning solo albums, collaborations, compilations, soundtracks and videos.

"It's time to make a change, there's no big story to it, you just get to the point where you want to do something different," she said. While she doesn't have a new job yet, for Barber moving to Nashville will hopefully signal a move into the country music industry. However, she does plan to take a break for the first few months adjusting to living in Nashville from New York.

Having spent the last 20 years working in the reggae industry, Barber says she won't be cutting her ties with her reggae family and will still be willing to assist in any way she can. "I'm definitely going to miss everyone at VP, it's been a great four years and I've learnt so much," she added. While at VP Records, Barber pioneered the Reggae's Gone Country album which was released in August and was the first Jamaican album to hit Billboard's Country Album charts.

When asked about her best experiences at VP she said, "definitely the opportunity of doing Reggae's Gone Country and working with people like Gyptian, Romain Virgo, Busy Signal. Also working with Chino and Stephen McGregor, getting to know Stephen and respecting what he's done for the industry. Also working with Beres Hammond who I adore, it was really exciting."

One of her last projects with VP is the 'Strictly The Best' Concert. The concert is scheduled for December 14 at BB Kings in New York and will feature Sean Paul, Shaggy, Gyptian, DeMarco, Laza Morgan and Wayne Marshall, VP and Power 105s DJ Norie. The party is for the release of 'Strictly The Best', the longest running reggae compilation.