Saturday, September 26, 2009 2:23 AM
Well it took a year and a half of coaxing and I finally did it! Got out of Dallas and went on a journey with the Inner Visions Reggae Band. What can I say? It was a wonderful musical re-birth, as the last time I was out on the road with the reggae road warriors was in July 2007 in Rhode Island. It was to say the least a bitter sweet time. It was also the time Mikey Dread took a turn for the worse and shortly thereafter left us on this earth and I've been road shy ever since. For those of you who don't know our history let me start from the beginning.
Many years ago I was happily working on behalf of the Inner Visions Reggae band, doing PR/Media relations etc. this was long before Mikey Dread called and made the request from the Band to borrow me for a couple months. (Smile). Well the couple months turned into years and the rest is history. The results of our merging was a tight knit Roots, Reggae family; consisting of Mikey, Inner Visions, Myself, Carmelita Harris with Irie Vision World beat TV in San Francisco and the KNON 89.3 Irie FM Reggae DJ Crew, which at the time consisted of DJ's Ima Uwagbai, Tunde Obazee, Mike D Magician, Alex C, Everton, Ras Ridi, Jah Larry, Queen Amy and Sister Kenjah and Myself along with The Scientist, Marcus "Yabba" Griffiths, Glen Washington and Tony Culture. Many more came on board in time such as; Mark Wonder and Mackie Conscious; these are all world class International performing artists.
You are probably wondering how this band from the small Island of St. John USVI had such a reach. I am happy to enlighten you. The Inner Visions Reggae Band has been out there in reggae land for 30 years! They are literally and without a doubt the hardest working Roots Reggae band out there. The amazing thing is I'm not seeing them let up!!
Mikey once said to me "man I admire those guys, traveling from state to state for months on end, that's hard on the body". So whatever he could do to help, wherever he played he put in a word for them. Or he would give me the contacts to pass on to their booking agents. Once they performed in an area the fans were hooked! I'm hearing words like fantastic, electrifying, awesome and the real deal from fan and media alike when describing the band.
Why such respect for them? Well you will have to get to know them and that's not hard at all; as Philip "Grasshopper "Pickering one of the lead singers for the group is the most personable character in the business. Grasshopper meets no stranger and it is evident, in their travels whether in the Islands, The USA or Europe the Band members in whole, leave a lasting impression.
The Band consists of two strong leading vocalists: Ras Paul Samms aka Ossisi (percussions), Philip "Grasshopper" Pickering (Electric guitar), backing vocalist and bass Alvin "Jupiter" Pickering, and Akiba "Mr. Snooze" Pickering on Keyboards and Aswad "Hollywood "Pickering on Drums. Aswad and Akiba, Grasshoppers sons joined the group 7 years ago. Their musical genius is heir apparent, as their father helped develop the musical skills they now master.
They are a small band with the sound of a symphony and that is no joke. They are both vocally and instrumentally strong.
I can guarantee you, if they had a gig and the lights were out. They could still do the performance as they have exceptionally strong voices and harmonizes to perfection!!!
Back to the journey:
So as we drive from Dallas, Texas to St. Louis Missouri 12 hours!!!!!. I thought man I am going to die! I am definitely not road worn. Ras Paul probably was tired of me asking; are we there yet? I could have sworn we drove through OKLAHOMA for two days. LOL.
As I close my eyes and try not to think of each long excruciating mile. I think of Inner Visions song "It ain't easy on the road" and I think lawd!!! They were not joking, it definitely "Ain't easy on the road". I had forgotten. Being on the road with them heightened my awareness of their deep dedication to the music.
Well we reach St. Louis at 4:30 pm, check into the hotel its like 5:30 pm now and then at 7:00 pm we have to leave this nice cool place to go to Club Viva to sound check!!! Lawd that is just not enough time to re-coup from such a long trip. And I'm really feeling it now. (smile). Not Inner Visions though, they were hyped and ready to go. Sound check finishes around 9:30 pm and they start to perform at 10:15 pm and perform for 4 hours straight. The fans got their monies worth and more. Man their performance was mighty, they rocked the place solid!!! You would not have ever guessed that this Band traveled so far by vehicle the same day; with little rest and performed the way they did. It is just simply amazing! I have known them for many years and I am still awestruck.
It was a thrill to see the audience reaction, the appreciation and love they showed the Band. And then I saw it in my minds eye. Just why Inner Visions Reggae Band do it year after the year. Their undeniable Love for the most high and their dedication to the fans. Some fans travel much distance to see them perform. When I witness the positive vibes centered on them I remember just why they are referred internationally as Reggae Road Warriors. It is a well earned title.
With that said I am going to leave you all with some verses from "It Ain't Easy on the Road" Taken from their Spiritual dancer CD. You can get the gist of what the guys go through, yet year after year they get on the road and give the fans what they want PURE, ROOTS, REGGAE MUSIC in an Inner-gized fashion.
Tell me lord what am I gonna do
What this world is coming to
Tell me lord what am I 'm gonna do
What I and I really must go through
Cause it Ain't easy on the road
It ain't easy on the road
Why must I carry such heavy load?
Only JAH JAH knows
Cause it ain't easy on the road
Well, show me lord what I've got to say
Show me Lord each and every day
Show me lord what I've got to say
Show me lord as I kneel and pray and I'll be OK
Cause it ain't easy on the road
It A'int easy on the road
Why must I carry such heavy load
Only my father knows
It ain't easy on the road
Jah knows it ain't easy on the road; sometimes life can be so rough
Things can be so tough, but you got to hang in there sometimes and take it easy.
Tell me lord what am I gonna do
What this world is coming to
Tell me lord what am I 'm gonna do
What I and I really must go through
Cause it Ain't easy on the road
It ain't easy on the road
Why must I carry such heavy load?
Only JAH JAH knows
Cause it ain't easy on the road
Well, show me lord what I've got to say
Show me Lord each and every day
Show me lord what I've got to say
Show me lord as I kneel and pray and I'll be OK
Cause it ain't easy on the road
It A'int easy on the road
Why must I carry such heavy load
Only my father knows
It ain't easy on the road
Jah knows it ain't easy on the road; sometimes life can be so rough
Things can be so tough, but you got to hang in there sometimes and take it easy.
I invite you all to get on the Inner Visions Reggae Train, by riding their musical waves to a venue near you.
Link up to Inner Visions:
BOOK THEM NOW:
For Bookings Contact:
George Michailow
Fast Lane International
PH(757)497-2669
FX(757)497-5159
E-mail: George@fastlaneIntl.com
www.fastlaneintl.com
PH(757)497-2669
FX(757)497-5159
E-mail: George@fastlaneIntl.com
www.fastlaneintl.com
area- (USA, Europe, Caribbean)
thatreggaewoman@aol.com PH: 828-274-1767
area- (USA in GA, TN, NC and SC)
Mushiya
Jobe Enterprises
P.O. Box 600542
Dallas, Texas 75360-0542
www.myspace.com/mushiya
www.myspace.com/reggaesolutions
Jobe Enterprises
P.O. Box 600542
Dallas, Texas 75360-0542
www.myspace.com/mushiya
www.myspace.com/reggaesolutions
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