Lucky Dube

I just found out Lucky Dube was shot and killed this evening. He was the biggest reggae star from South Africa. I met him once after a show at Liberty Lunch, and he was a kind loving man.

I will do a tribute to him on my reggae program on KAZI 88.7 FM between 7 and 10 pm.

With lyrics like these his music will keep touching many hearts for years to come:

When you flash that badge
You want everyone to shiver
When you flash that badge
You want everyone to worship you
I got no time to worship human kind
I only worship the All Mighty
Through his prophets I have learned
To give respect to everything he created
I give love to those who gimme love
Love those who gimme war
I love those who hate me
I bless even those who curse me year x 2

Chorus
Gimme gimme respect
Show me show me respect.

You could be the president
You could be his deputy
You don't even have to know
My political affiliation
You don't even have to know
My religious affiliation
Respect me, for who I am
And not what I am
Nobody even cares about your dollars
Nobody even cares about your bling bling

Give love to those who give you love
Love to those who hate you
Bless even those who curse you, yeah x 2

Chorus
Gimme respect

Tennessee Update

Dad and I got to play 18 holes of golf today and it was fun. Reminds me that I need to play more often. Here's Dad:



The trees here are changing and it is beautiful. Haven't seen too much yet. Took it real easy yesterday. Went with dad to his bowling league last night. Got to meet the whole team. Nice guys:




More later...

RJ

On The Road Again...

The last week has been incerdible. Did radio on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I got to play drums with Lion Head at Flamingo. We did a 2 hour set and I don't know how I was able to pull it off still. I had a great time though! Got to be creative and take the music to some cool places. Ras Jorge played bass and we figured that we hadn't played together in about 17 years or so since the old Root 1 days. Here we are (thanks to Debbie for taking the shots):


Here I am playing and to my surprise singing too. I was able to hit some notes:


Did my usual thing at Sacred Shelf on Thursday. Mostly took it easy on Friday and then Saturday had a planning session with a couple and went to mom's church fall-fest after that. Saturday night, I got to open again for Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca. They blew me away again as they have every time! Such incredible African and Latin music! Anne and Alex went and we all danced and enjoyed the vibes.

Here is a video clip I shot of the incredible drummer:



Friday night got to play dress up:



Sunday I played a wedding in Georgetown which went very well other than when it rained on the dancefloor. We moved the dancefloor to the covered area and it was fine.

Today is Monday and I am getting ready to get on a plane to Tennessee to see my dad and spend some time up there. Flying in to Nashville and then driving over to Fairfield Glade. I hope to take some pictures while I am there.

Have a blessed week!

RJ

Great Swing Music

Mom, Lori and I went to see A Ride With Bob Friday night at Paramount Theatre. It was a play that told the story of Bob Wills written by Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel. The music was incredible and the actors were great too. Learned a lot about Bob's life and what he went through.

I was really impressed by The Quebe Sisters, who my sister had seen a few weeks ago in Ft Worth. These 3 young sisters play fiddle and sing like The Andrews Sisters. Simply amazing! We go to meet them and buy a CD. Quite impressive to see so much talent! Check them out!

Last night I performed at a wonderful wedding at Great Hills Country Club. The dancefloor was full almost the whole night. Got a chance to play some cumbias for a change and enjoyed that. They also had mariachis and a Dragon Dancer that was very cool.

RJ

October 13th - Will You Come Celebrate With Me?

I am really excited about this show!!!!! Come out and celebrate with me and dance your butt off!!

RJ

On Saturday October 13th, Flamingo Cantina continues its exploration of international flair as Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca fuses an entire diaspora’s worth of influence to a chassis of Afro-Cuban origin. Born in the Congo of Angolan ancestry, Ricardo Lemvo formed Makina Loca 17 years ago in Los Angeles and the 10-piece band quickly attracted worldwide attention with their seamless blend of Cuban son montuno and Zairean soukous. With Lemvo fluently singing in each of Spanish, Lingala, Kikongo, French, English, and Portuguese, a Makina Loca set conjures exotic travel as an escape route from American cultural isolation. Promoting its fifth album titled Isabela after Lemvo’s newborn daughter, Makina Loca expects to open the hearts of those long-due for the Cuban clave’ rhythm to act as their Afro-Latin tour guide.

DJ-RJ opens the show with a hot mix of salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and more.

Doors at 8:30 p.m. Cover is $12/$14; tickets are available at End of an Ear Records located at 2209 S 1st St and Flamingo Cantina located at 515 E. Sixth Street, venue phone 512/494-9336. www.flamingocantina.com.