Hello Bermuda. It is getting hot; I’m at the point now where I don’t put my tie on unless I have a meeting.We are enjoying a bit of activity this summer with a few happening hot spots on the Island, but we still need to develop an entertainment product that will keep both locals and visitors happy. But the international music scene is quite interesting. There are scores of songs on the circuit and there are more genres than ever before.It really is a multimillion-dollar industry. But Bermuda needs to grow some of its own talent. We need to develop the next Collie Buddz; someone who will put Bermuda back on the map just as Rihanna did for Barbados. More on this after we look at the hottest 20 popular songs on the Island.Holding at #1 is Look At Me Now by Chris Brown featuring L’il Wayne and Busta Rhymes. Chris Brown has stepped up his game. After going through that whole girl-beating episode with Rihanna a while back he has focused on producing hits and this is exactly what he has done. Up into the #2 position is 6 Foot 7 Foot by L’il Wayne featuring Cory Gunz.You have to like the pounding beat of this one. Tumbling to #3 is Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Say what you like about Lady Gaga; she rocks. Walking by Mary Mary falls to #4. This gospel/R&B hit has the smoothest beat/rhythm I’ve heard in months, under brilliantly written and delivered vocals and creative production.Jumping to #5 is Judas by Lady Gaga, a rather popular dance/pop hit. Did I already say that Lady Gaga rocks? Up to # 6 is Just Can’t Get Enough by the Black Eyed Peas. This is easily the most creative band in the business at the moment.Their concerts are simply awesome and unparalleled. Slipping to #7 is Rihanna’s current hit, S&M. Bermuda needs a Rihanna of its own who can blow up and make it big. On the way up at #8 is Till The World Ends by Brittney Spears. I’m happy that Britt is back but can she please just stay out of trouble?Advancing to #9 is Give Me Everything by Pitbull, Neo, AfroJack & Nayer, which is easily one of the hottest songs produced this year.This Cuban-American Pitbull guy has taken the industry by storm. He isn’t that much, he isn’t that tall, but he has a super cool and smooth voice and he sing/raps well. Improving to #10 is Taio Cruz’s current hit I’m Loving You Tonight.Taio Cruz is also consistent and he has a hit for the second summer in a row. Improving to #11 is Beautiful People by Chris Brown featuring Benny BenassiTumbling to #12 is ET by Katy Perry featuring Kanye West. Falling into the #13 spot is Higher, by Taio Cruz featuring Kylie Minogue and Travie McCoy.Improving to #14 it’s Motivation by Kelly Rowland featuring L’il Wayne. This is a nice pairing; a hot vocalist with a rapper who is among the best and most popular in the business.Falling to #15 is Moment For Life by Nicki Minaj. Nicki is at the top of her game at the moment. Have you heard her do reggae? She badd! Up to #16 is Far Away by Marsha Ambrosious, a sweet love song.Slipping to #17 is Who’s that Chick?, by David Guetta featuring Rihanna. Refusing to yield at #18 is Memories, by David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi. This is a hot song that only true dance music aficionados would appreciate.Up one space to #19 is Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce, and rounding out the top 20 is On The Floor by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull. This guy Pitbull is all over the place.Now back to this week’s topic improving Bermuda’s music and entertainment offering. Bermuda is pretty dead most evenings that are not Fridays or Saturdays.Sure, we have happy hour at Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Port ‘O Call, Harry’s, Newstead, Elbow Beach, Latin and a few other places on Fridays, but that’s about the only night when there is such a vast variety of entertainment options.But note that they are all the same option/type of entertainment. We have seen the death of the live music industry in Bermuda over many years such that today it is difficult for an entertainer to earn a living as a musician. Tourists regularly ask where they can find/hear live Bermudian entertainment, where they can eat authentic Bermudian cuisine and they are often shocked to learn that not much of either exists on a nightly basis.Mr Jonathan Crellin, the outgoing GM at Fairmont Hamilton Princess, this week in an article in this paper said that we need to move forward, put the past behind us, and find new ways to promote Bermuda.He said we need to understand who our competition is, who our customer is, and do what is necessary to be competitive and profitable in this hostile market.As part of revitalising the tourism product, we need an evening entertainment offering that is sufficiently varied and gives people something to do after they have dinner.The word is that in Bermuda, after you eat dinner, there’s nothing else to do from Sunday to Thursday. And even on Fridays and Saturdays, all there is to do is go to bars and nightclubs. We need more.It begins with developing an entertainment industry, which includes creating a business that is sustainable, from which older persons can earn a living, and which aspiring entertainers are drawn to pursue.It continues with creating the conditions for businesses to be launched and to be successful/financially viable. We need venues, more things going on, activities, shows, more live bands performing in places, more creative concepts this is all doable.Yes, we are in a recession but we have to do this because it is another way that we can create new jobs, generate business and revenue, get people working and begin to pull ourselves out of the economic downturn.Peace ... DJLT!