Category: Uncategorized

  • Life Of A Musician

    Greetings Brothers and Sisters. Peanut here once again.Stable Roots backed up Ever-G up last night(1/3.2011) at Martini Kitchen in Richmond Va

    Greetings Brothers and Sisters. Peanut here once again.Stable Roots backed up Ever-G up last night(1/3.2011) at Martini Kitchen in Richmond Va.

    The day started out for me resting my back from injury last week.Practiced alittle bit and then it was time to head out to Charlottesville VA. to meet Greg Ward(Guitarist/Bassist) and Brent Finlen(Drummer). Got there around 6pm and we loaded up and drove on down to Richmond. Got there round 7pm and unloaded and set up. Ras Mel who is setting in with us was already there. Hailed him up and reasoned for a few as we ate some fish and salad. Gordon Saxman Jones came in as we got done eating and was getting ready to sound check.

    At sound check we went over some of the songs for tonight since Greg was setting in for Jayson(Bass Player) for the night.Steal My Joy , Rockfort Rock and Swing Easy we went over. Sounded good.During sound check Ever G walked in and we went back into Steal My Joy and he sang it to check his mic.

    The vibe in the house was irie as people was filling in early.Went over and set up the computer for the live stream feed off Ustreamtv.com. Talked with DJ, Iyon and Av Vidal WAAP as they sat up.

    Soon it was time for the show. Started out the night with 2 instrumentals,first up was Rockfort Rock right into Swing Easy Riddim.Featuring solos by Ras Mel and Saxman Jones.The crowd loved that as we went right into the show intro for Ever G. First song up was Stir It Up which had the crowd singing and dancing along. The first set was high energy with Ever G working the crowd and having a good time. We did a mixture of originals and cover songs.. Some of the originals where Let Jah Music Play,True To Myself,Independence and World Peace to name a few. Some of the covers where Waiting In Vain, Cool Off The Vibes,It’s Me Again Jah, Hypocrites. All the tunes had the crowd dancing and enjoying themselves.

    At set break i got to reason with alot of the bredren and sistren in the place.Yellomoon was in the house, Ras Anatole was in the house,Ras Nate,DJ Williams, Brother Phillip,Chuckie Youth to name a few. Always good to see the elders and the roots posse come forward. I got to big up Joe Blunt Bailey in the house as well and he brought the Djembe and sat in with us on percussion along side my boy from Antero Jake aka The Mayor.

    By the time we was starting the second set the place got more crowded and the people was ready for some more live reggae music. Started out with Loves Got A Hold On Me, got the dance floor packed immediately.Ever G sometimes sounds just like Dennis Brown. Love & Hate was up next. Then Ever G brought up Ras Anatole to do War that rocked the house.Followed by original tunes Mission and Life. I must say the highlight for me the second set was when we went into No Woman, No Cry featuring Ras Mel on guitar sounded just like the Live version we all here of that song. Ras Mel did every guitar lick. The crowd loved it. Night nurse was up next right into the last song of the night which was One Love that had the whole place on the dance floor and dancing and singing along.

    After the show we packed up and reasoned with everyone for awhile and then headed on home. I just want to say Big Up Richmond you large , you are now officially the Home of Stable Roots. Until next time Bless. Peanut

  • Happy New Year to all of you

    We are excited about the Virginia Reggae scene this year. There are lots of shows by VA bands and the dancehall continues to thrive. Roots Reggae nights with DJ’s and Sound Systems are more frequent. See events page for more info.

    We are excited about the Virginia Reggae scene this year. There are lots of shows by VA bands and the dancehall continues to thrive. Roots Reggae nights with DJ’s and Sound Systems are more frequent. See events page for more info.

    Virginia Reggae Awards: We are still in round one(1) of the Virginia Reggae Awards. We want to encourage you to continue to vote. Round one(1) ends in February. You can vote as often as you wish in round one www.VirginiaReggaeAwards.com

    Special Award for 2011: This year we will be giving out a special award to the individual or group with the most points at the end of round two (2) which begins in February. The Award will be given out at the celebrations on 14 May 2011.

    Buckroe Beach Reggae Fest: Free Reggae Festival on the Beach. Date is 19Th March 2011. Visit them on Facebook and www.Buckroebeachreggaefest.com

    Virginia Reggae Live: Every monday morning tune into Virginia Reggae Live. The show is from 9am – 11 am. The show is archived each week. Music from artist who at some point called VA home or were born in VA.
    www.virginiareggae.com/content/virginia-reggae-live

    Sign up for an account and you can post all of your events or someone else event for free. www.virginiareggae.com/user/register

    Vinyl only Reggae Nights are becoming the fun thing to do in Hampton Roads. Pop into one of these events and listen to the crackling of records. Some attendees have expressed that they “were happy to see vinyl alive and well in Reggae. Others are having had their first vinyl experience.

    We will be featuring Chris Peanut Whitley’s blog: Life As A Musician

  • The 2011 Virginia Reggae Award

    The 2011 Virginia Reggae Award

    Today, (29,November 2010) is the official start of the 2011 Virginia Reggae Awards season

    sleepy

    Today, (29,November 2010) is the official start of the 2011 Virginia Reggae Awards season. Please support the Reggae music and talents coming out of Virginia.

    The Virginia Reggae Awards is a two part process. Part one is the submission stage.
    Over the next few weeks and months we will be posting information and asking for your support in various fields.

    We hope that with your help we can make our artist feel love from their home base.

    Visit http://www.virginiareggaeawards.com/ to submit or vote.

    One Love!!!

  • Virginia Reggae live Radio Show

    Virginia Reggae live is an online radio show showcasing reggae music from Virginia.

    Radio

    Virginia Reggae live is an online radio show showcasing reggae music from Virginia. The show will air weekly on VirginiaReggae.com each Monday from 9-11am. The show will be archived for those who are unable to log in on Monday’s.

    Our host is Seko, former host of WHOV’s Reggae Extravaganza(88.1fm at Hampton University).
    Spread the word!

    If you are a Va artist and would like your songs featured on the program please forward them to us at genie@VirginiaReggae.com.

    http://www.virginiareggae.com/content/virginia-reggae-live

  • In The Newz: Biggs Fest and Lady Cham

    Hey good people, we have been super busy with parenthood but we are still here. A lot has transpired over the last few months.

    Biggs and Lady Cham

    Hey good people, we have been super busy with parenthood but we are still here. A lot has transpired over the last few months. As you may know by now, Vincent “Biggs” James of Session Rockers is hospitalized. Lady Cham of Westindiantimes.net and radio program, Caribbean Connection, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

    There are two events being planned in support of these two members of the Virginia Reggae community. Biggs fest is November 6, 2010 and Run Weh di Cansa Oct 29, 2010. We hope for a speedy recovery in both cases.
    http://www.virginiareggae.com/calendar/biggs-fest
    http://www.virginiareggae.com/calendar/we-running-weh-di-cansa

    On a brighter note, there are two major events coming in 2011.
    The 4th Annual Virginia Reggae Awards season will kick off on 29th November 2010,the actual award show will be on 14th May, 2011.

    The Buckroe Reggae Festival is slated for early Spring (19th March 2011).

  • Joshua walks across Kenyan to help the Makindu Children’s Program

    The Virginia Reggae community is being asked to support a great effort. Joshua of Antero reggae band is raising money to benefit the Makindu Children’s Program in Kenya.

    The Virginia Reggae community is being asked to support a great effort. Joshua of Antero reggae band is raising money to benefit the Makindu Children’s Program in Kenya. Joshua will be walking across the deserts of Kenya along with a few of our Kenyan brothers.

    We fully endorse this effort and hope you will too by making a donation. It is always heart warming to know that reggae artist are doing more than just music to help communities worldwide.

    Learn More at http://makindu.org/ http://www.properwalk.com/ http://joshua4makindu.blogspot.com/

  • Pato Banton Show Review By Amanda Velez

    Pato Banton Show Review By Amanda Velez

    The vibe was alive the beautiful evening of June 10th 2010 at the Pato Banton show in the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, VA. The place was packed, air thick with body heat. The bass was so heavy you can feel it in your seat and in your feet on the dance floor.

    By Amanda Velez

    sleepy

    The vibe was alive the beautiful evening of June 10th 2010 at the Pato Banton show in the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, VA. The place was packed, air thick with body heat. The bass was so heavy you can feel it in your seat and in your feet on the dance floor. The audience were clapped their hands along to the beat with Pato Banton, danced, jumped up and down. Virginia welcomed Pato Banton & The Now Generation with open hearts, open minds, and open arms. Pato Banton was without a doubt rocked the house!

    Pato Banton is comprised of 9 band members including Pato himself. I will add they are a very spirited group of multi-talented people with a strong love of music. They enjoy bringing joy & spiritual contentment to people’s hearts through their music. Pato Banton & The Now Generation are constructed out of all kinds of instrumentalists. There’s a full lively, highly entertaining horn section . The mighty JAH! Horn section are made up of Beeken (known as the “SaxMachine”) on the saxophone, Bryan on the trumpet, and Eddie Farmer on the trombone. They have all worked with acclaimed musicians like Tone Loc, Ikey Owens, Shinehead to name a few and have even collaborated on a song written for the NBA basketball team the LA Lakers with Better Chemistry & Jurassic 5.

    They showed excellent showmanship on stage and moved the crowd all night! Tony Saenz is on the drums, he treated Virginia Beach to a cool Marshall Jefferson house beat. Very surprising, very impressive. Who knew you could play a house beat to reggae? Nicely done Mr. Saenz. He has played for artists such as The Breddrin Daddies, Warsaw Poland Bros, and 420 Band. Mikey Ortiz is the cool breddah playing the bass guitar in the band. He’s played with talented musicians such as Kyng Arthur, Kiddus-I, Jah Mex, and more. The beautiful, talented, and well-traveled Antoinette Hall, also known as “Rootsdawtah” plays keyboards and also sings. She has been active in the world wide reggae & world music scene for over 20 years recording with artists like Gregory Isaacs and Freddie McGregor, just to name a few. The guitarist, Daniel aka ‘D-Lop’ Lopilato is a well-rounded instrumentalist, playing keyboards as well. He’s acted as the bandleader for Majek Fashek, Remi Kabaka, and Kyng Arthur. You can hear his latest work on Pato Banton’s latest work ‘Destination Paradise’.

    Song after song, they lit the crowd on fire, even had audience members come up on stage and rap battle with Pato himself, a local singer Nikky Morgan from the Love Lots band sang with Pato, and more. The crowd danced along to the beat with Pato and the band, clapped along, and had an amazing time. Pato and the band played oldies but goodies with that Banton flavor such as world famous reggae tunes like “Jammin” and “Fight For Your Rights” as well as beloved hits by the band such as “Don’t Sniff Coke”, “Gwarn”, and “Legalize It” just to name a few. Virginia Beach was treated to a special song “New Day” which is an unreleased, never performed live track off of Pato Banton’s new album.

    At the end of the high energy night, Pato Banton and the Now Generation packed up their instruments, sold copies of their latest album as well as books written by Pato Banton himself. He happily & patiently signed autographs as well as his books for new and seasoned fans alike. Pato posed for pictures with his fans and smiled brightly. He freely gave out hugs too.

    Pato Banton & The Now Generation are very kind soul sand Virginia Beach was very happy to enjoy their presence and music. We will welcome them back happily anytime they’d like to perform at the Jewish Mother once again.

  • The new Virginia Reggae website

    The summer heat is on but the hottest thing right now is the new and improved Virginia Reggae website.

    The summer heat is on but the hottest thing right now is the new and improved Virginia Reggae website. It offers some exciting features, especially for bands, artist and promoters or as a matter of fact, anyone involved with the Virginia Reggae community.

    By registering for a user account you can add your event(s) dates, flyers and other information to the calendar. You can also add videos to the video page, which fans are allowed to rate. We hope that you will take full advantage of these new features.

  • 2010 Virginia Reggae Awards

    2010 Virginia Reggae Awards

    The 2010, Virginia Reggae awards season is over. The awards ceremony (which is more like a party) featured twelve (12) individual performances from some of Virginia’s most talented Reggae bands/ artist.

    United Souls

    The 2010, Virginia Reggae awards season is over. The awards ceremony (which is more like a party) featured twelve (12) individual performances from some of Virginia’s most talented Reggae bands/ artist. We must note that these performances were voluntary. Ten awards were presented and the results may be viewed at either VirginiaReggae.com or VirginiaReggaeawards.com.

    sleepy

    The big winner for the night was Sleepy Wonder. Sleepy won every category he was nominated in! This is a direct result of his hard work, determination and close relationship with his fan base. One of the more touching moments was the Bands and artist doing a Reggae rendition of “We are the World” which focused on the recent situations in Haiti and around the world!

    We thank our SPONSORS and DONORS and encourage you to support these groups and individuals. Our sponsors were West Indies United, Kenmont design group, Karma and Project single Moms.

    Ps: Special thanks to Amanda Velez, Amir and friends, Imeka Asher and all the media houses for covering the event. We are looking forward to seeing the images you captured. We would also like to see any pictures and video you may have captured for your personal viewing.

    “No fruits without the roots”… VirginiaReggae.com

  • 2010 Virginia Reggae Awards Results

    These are the results from the 2010 Virginia Reggae Awards. Congratulations to everyone.

    These are the results from the 2010 Virginia Reggae Awards. Congratulations to everyone.

    Promoter’s Award

    Lion Heart promotions | Votes: 204
    Quiva Productions | Votes: 215
    Natural High Promotions | Votes: 90

    Producer’s Award

    Sleepy Wonder – Injustice | Votes: 467
    Fidelity Recording – Body language | Votes: 55
    Ajamu – Where is the love | Votes: 82

    Sound System Award

    Spotlight International | Votes: 194
    Killa Khan | Votes: 220
    Dj Cool Mo | Votes: 72

    Va. Reggae Ambassador Award

    Biggs (Vincent James) | Votes: 208
    Sleepy Wonder | Votes: 426
    Jahn Chandler | Votes: 64

    Favorite Song Award

    Futuristic – Virginia Got it going on | Votes: 30
    I Ancient – Remember Me | Votes: 422
    Nubian – Body Language | Votes: 78

    Favorite Album Award

    The Prisoners | Votes: 239
    Ras Attitude – I Meditation | Votes: 275
    Sleepy Wonder – Injustice | Votes: 392

    Favorite band Award

    The Itations | Votes: 116
    The Prisoners | Votes: 258
    United Souls | Votes: 471

    Media award

    West Indian Times | Votes: 116
    Slam Video Magazine | Votes: 227
    Reggae Innovation w/Dutch B and Big Brown | Votes: 37

    New Artist Award

    Hopeton | Votes: 123
    Isreal | Votes: 273
    Dub City Renegades | Votes: 286

    Favorite Artist Award

    Futuristic | Votes: 22
    Ras Attitude | Votes: 344
    I Ancient | Votes: 458