Hott 107.5?s coverage of the Bermuda Festival is at an end with station owner Glenn Blakeney announcing that he is not renewing the company?s production contract because of a host of other commitments.

Thanking the organisers of the popular annual music event as well as the Department of Tourism for choosing his company as the local producer, Mr. Blakeney told that his relatively small staff was already stretched covering other events such as Bermuda Idol and could simply not afford any further demands on their time.

?I am enormously grateful for the opportunity to produce what is already a superb local event which promises to get even better,? he said.

?But as a relatively small, fledgling station, there is only so much work we can do and coupled with my involvement with Paradigm Entertainment, which is running events on a weekly basis right through until October, something just had to give.

The Department of Tourism was quick to reassure the public yesterday, however, that a replacement producer has been found and plans for the festival are proceeding without delay.

?Department officials note that Kevin Smith of GET Entertainment has been contracted to replace Hott 107.5 in planning the local aspect of the festival,? a Government Press release said yesterday.

?Mr. Smith, who had been working along with Hott 107.5 on this year?s festival, has over the past few years worked with previous Bermuda Music Festival producers and, therefore, has extensive knowledge and experience in this area.?

The release continued that Tourism is ?pleased with the transition of responsibilities to Mr. Smith and (has) every confidence that he will work to ensure a successful Bermuda Music Festival.?

The department notes that this is the festival?s 10th anniversary and promises one of the biggest events to date.

This year?s line-up includes Grammy Award-winning artists Patti LaBelle and Al Green as well as soul divas Angie Stone and Joss Stone.

The festival will run from October 5 through 8, for more information visit the Tourism website at .