It was Sunday afternoon. I was sitting on the left side of backstage, hanging out with Frank and the video crew. I was watching Junior Reid perform a SICK set and people watching at the same time when I noticed something:
Love and Family.
Looking around I could see families, not just attendees families, but performers families. They were dirty, they were tired, they were hot, but they were happy, positive and excited to be there. I realized that for many of them, traveling from Jamaica or wherever they came from and going from show to show is their only livelihood. This is the way they provide for their families and their families’ families. This is the way they get their children a proper education, this is the way they live their life: in a quest to save Babylon.
I decided right then and there that I had to help their cause, help promote them, help make them money, help in any way I could….because it is the only path to positivity and oneness I have found in this crazy world of ours…
This realization profoundly impacted my perception of Reggae music as a whole. Sure, I had always been a Reggae fan and loved the music and positive lyrics, but I had no idea the level of dedication and family love that goes into it all.
Only because of NWWRF ’06 I made this realization. I’m eternally grateful for that, to NWWRF, the Artists, and DJ Dub Cowboy for bringing me along to experience this life changing event.
For what seemed like eons, I had lost my music family because Jerry Garcia died…yes, I am an old school Deadhead. However, attending NWWRF ’06 brought me back home, to the music family I had lost, to the connection that I was missing, and it helped this wandering soul find his way back to what really matters most of all in life: Love, Happiness, and Respect.
Check out the Northwest World Reggae Festival Website!!
BIG UP NORTHWEST WORLD REGGAE FESTIVAL!!!
Looking forward to another great show this year!!!!
Sincerely,
Joe McLaren
Rogue Agent Photo
www.massiverespect.com
August 13th, 14th, and 15th ~ Marcola, Oregon
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I got teary eyed reading this. Much love and Respect!!