Biography
RAS ALAN
“1993-2009: 16 Years of Appalachian Reggae”
He celebrated Bob Marley’s TALKING BLUES reggae release in Jamaica with Ziggy, Stephen, Julian and Rita Marley; he picked informal gospel and swing tunes with American music icons Doc Watson and Jethro Burns; he learned ancient tribal rhythms and melodies at the feet of African blues master Ali Farke Toure. His original “reggabilly” songs and self-produced CDs have navigated the Grammy@ process, enlivened the Archives of Appalachia and represent “Contemporary Southern Appalachian Culture and Music” in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. He’s been featured on Country Music Television, PBS and NPR stations nationwide.
He is a devoted father, architect, carpenter and organic gardener. He lives in the mountains just hours from where he was born into a large, close-knit family and continues to pick Carter Family and Jimmy Rodgers tunes with his father and uncles at
various reunions and yearly gatherings. He plays a flat top guitar he built in 1980.
“Regular songs about regular life… and a desire to do better.” Ras Alan’s music reflects a life of observing and learning, trying and failing, and trying again. He teaches ”Respect” in his “One HeartBeat- Appalachia to Zimbabwe” children’s programs, shares intimate “everyman” daily struggles in his songs and shines a flashlight-ray of Hope into the future and our place in it.
Ras Alan’s first “Appalachian Reggae” CD was released on his own label in the Spring of 1993. NATIVE met critic’s favor by its’ original take on storytelling to the pulsing reggae beat, rather than a mere copying of style or mimicry of a popular
Caribbean accent and song form. STONE INNA HURRICANE, a live album recorded on the road during 1995-1996, was released on CD in 1997 and quickly sold out due to its’ going straight to radio in markets that “got” the stories, rhythm and message.
In 2002, the more “pop” music elements of LETTER FROM APPALACHIA found Ras Alan’s greatest audience listening and dancing to his stories framed by thicker production and studio artistry: simple and decorative at the same time.
The Smithsonian Institution and the research committees for the “Year of Appalachia” found what they were looking for in Ras Alan’s music and narrative. He was invited to perform 10 shows on the National Mall in Washington, DC for the 37th
Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the subsequent “Smithsonian to the Mountains Tour”, working alongside the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, based in Bristol TN/VA. Ras Alan’s 2006 CD FOLKLIFE gathers his honest live performances in Washington, heard by thousands of the 1.5 million visitors and condenses the huge experience into an hour long tincture of homestyle ingenuity and front porch celebration.
Ras Alan has recently performed in festivals and stage shows in Jamaica and the United States with popular bands and creative musicians including The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steel Pulse, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Toubab Krewe, Steep Canyon Rangers, Uncle Earl, the everybodyfields, The Waybacks, Keller Williams,
The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent, The Seldom Scene and many others. Currently Ras Alan is “pleasantly involved” in preproduction of a studio album of new material.
2009 represents the 16th year of Ras Alan’s “Appalachian Reggae” and his original reggabilly tunes will be featured alongside anecdotes, stories and instruments gathered
along his musical odyssey, weaving mountain cultural traditions with global rhythmic inspiration.
Check Ras Alan and his music for a glimpse into a musical seeker’s life, a poet’s warehouse and a regular guy with an irregular beat.
NOW BOOKING 2009
Ras Alan's own Appalachian Reggae is "DOC WATSON meets BOB MARLEY at the CARTER FAMILY picnic, with THE ABYSSINIANS and NORMAN BLAKE tradin' recipes with BURNING SPEAR, THE ITALS and JOHNNY CASH."
I continue to Give Thanks to the many promoters, talent buyers, fans and friends that encourage and uplift local musicians and a little Appalachian reggabilly...
“We’re more alike than different!”
What do country music and Ras Alan’s Appalachian reggae have in common? Both were featured on Country Music Television’s Small Town Secrets, when it showed “Guitars,” a piece about Bristol, TN/VA’s musical past and present, including roots like the Carter Family’s original country music, and branches like Ras Alan’s own genre, Appalachian reggae. Ras Alan provided audiences with musical and historical insights on the CMT show, and was featured on CMT’s website performing “Appalachian Man” beside the railroad tracks in Bristol. Ras Alan sang original lyrics about Southern Appalachian mountain living while playing an acoustic resonator guitar and thumping on dB, a wooden drink box that plays bass beneath Ras Alan’s boot. Ras Alan’s CMT performance and interview took place during Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion, where Ras Alan and The Lions performed a lively electric set.
Ras Alan was a featured performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, for the “Year of Appalachia”, recording 10 shows on the National Mall in Washington DC, some of which is included in his new live release, Folklife. Ras Alan performed in the “Smithsonian to the Mountains” tour and was greatly honored to appear at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, where A.P. and Sara Carter’s daughter, Janette, kept Southern Appalachian music traditions alive. Ras Alan appeared in Blue Ridge Country Magazine, photographed on the Pickin’ Porch at the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance for a Bristol radio show.
Ras Alan’s three previous albums are housed in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Archives and in East Tennessee State University’s Archives of Appalachia. These albums are Letter from Appalachia (2002), Stone Inna Hurricane (1997), and Native (1993). Letter from Appalachia and Folklife were each considered by the Grammy® committees in both the reggae and contemporary folk categories. Ras Alan appears on several regional and international CD compilations.
Ras Alan has picked and performed with music greats from many genres. He picked with Doc Watson and played African melodies with Malian master musician, Ali Farke Toure. He jammed with Yonder Mountain String Band; traded mandolin duet licks with Jethro Burns; and drummed with Nigerian Babetunde Olatunji. Ras Alan, a member and performer for Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, shared the stage with Burning Spear and The Wailers.
Ras Alan performs at numerous family-friendly festivals throughout the US and Jamaica, and continues to be heard on radio and internet stations worldwide. Ras Alan’s blend of traditional mountain music, original lyrics, and reggae beat is a unique combination. His songs are fun, emotional, and socially responsible. Influenced by bluegrass, old time, Southern gospel, jazz, African drumming, and a respectful portion of Rastafari spirituality, Ras Alan’s music is full of life, and the reggae beat is extremely danceable. Establishing the term “Reggabilly” in 1991, Ras Alan’s songs are true stories inspired locally and applicable worldwide, rooted in Southern Appalachian tradition and consciously moving forward.
Bob Marley biographer and Reggae Grammy® chair, Roger Steffens writes, “Reggabilly at its best!”
Ras Alan is available for performances, workshops, children’s programs, recordings, and interviews. Currently booking through Red Pepper Records, please contact us at:
Appalachianreggae.com PO Box 33 Greeneville, TN 37744 USA or www.myspace.com/rasalan
Ras Alan's ONE HEARTBEAT Program for Children
Ras Alan, a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southern Appalachia, will present his One Heartbeat – Appalachia to Zimbabwe, a musical, creative, fun, and educational program for children in grades pre-k through 5. Red Pepper recording artist, Ras Alan, will present his One Heartbeat Program for Children as single or multi-day workshops, school assemblies, or as an artist-in-residence program. One Heartbeat provides arts enrichment, cultural diversity, character education, and social studies for young students, including at-risk youth and children with disabilities. Ras Alan has presented One Heartbeat – Appalachia to Zimbabwe in elementary schools, pre-schools, libraries, after-school programs, family friendly music festivals, events, and celebrations throughout the US and Jamaica.
The purpose of Ras Alan’s Program for Children is to promote and increase self-esteem through artistic, creative self-expression. One Heartbeat is musical, educational, and experiential. The youth will have hands-on exposure to a variety of percussion instruments from around the world, including Thailand, Mali, Jamaica, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Southern Appalachia. The music and social studies lessons will start far away, then the program will bring it home to the Appalachians as Ras Alan provides an acoustic performance accompanied by dB, the famous wooden drink box that plays bass under Ras Alan’s thumping boot. His blend of traditional mountain music, original lyrics, and reggae rhythm is a unique combination.
Ras Alan will explain his Appalachian Reggae ties to the Smithsonian Institution, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, and the Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University. Ras Alan’s positive message will encourage the children to experience the importance and validity of their own place in the world. They will also experience diversity while expressing themselves with percussion instruments from far away lands.
The ultimate goal of Ras Alan’s One Heartbeat – Appalachia to Zimbabwe Program for Children is for the youth to learn that each individual is valuable and important, and that we’re more alike than different!
The following quotes are from educators who have participated in Ras Alan’s One Heartbeat Program for Children. “You have been incredible at our school. AR Lewis is so fortunate to have had you here. Thanks again.” Kathy Brazinski, Principal, AR Lewis Elementary School, Pickens, South Carolina, May 22, 2006. “The children really loved it, especially playing the instruments!” Lindsey Dayton, Assistant Teacher, Asbury Child Enrichment Center, Greeneville, Tennessee, June 28, 2006. "We enjoyed having you and the students AND the teachers enjoyed the experience."- Emily Bivins, Principal, Carrboro Elementary School, Carrboro, North Carolina, November 29, 2007.
One Heartbeat Workshop Program
Workshops are 45 minutes each and include hands-on student participation, with a maximum of 25 students in a group. A total of 4 workshops will be provided each day, scheduled with 15-minute breaks in between. For example, workshops could be scheduled for 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, & 1:00. Each group will be accompanied by adults provided by the schools for supervision.
One Heartbeat Artist in Residence Program
3 days of workshops as described above and also including an introduction to music technology with recording equipment and laptop provided by Ras Alan. On Day 4 of the program, a presentation will be given by the students, either live or recorded, for their peers. All groups will be accompanied by adults provided by the school for supervision.
One Heartbeat School Assembly Program
A 60-minute program can be presented in the school auditorium, gym, or other common area, and will include limited hands-on opportunities for a small number of students chosen from the audience.
Ras Alan’s Musical Highlights
Ras Alan was a featured performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, for “The Year of Appalachia” in 2003, recording 10 shows on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Select songs are included on his new CD, Folklife. Ras Alan performed in the 2004 “Smithsonian to the Mountains” tour and was greatly honored to appear at the Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia.
Ras Alan’s three existing albums are housed in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Archives and in East Tennessee State University’s Archives of Appalachia. These albums are Letter from Appalachia (2002), Stone Inna Hurricane (1997), and Native (1993). Letter was considered for Grammy® Awards in both the reggae and contemporary folk categories.
Please go to www.appalachianreggae.com for more information on Ras Alan and the One Heartbeat – Appalachia to Zimbabwe Program for Children.
CONTACT RAS ALAN BY E-MAIL: rasalan@appalachianreggae.com
or visit www.myspace.com/rasalan
VENUES FEATURING RAS ALAN
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Washington, DC
Appalachian Music Festival Wise, VA
Bob Marley “Talkin Blues” Celebration White River Junction, Jamaica
Mountain Arts Center Prestonsburg, KY
Paramount Theatre Bristol, TN
Pipestem Resort State Park Pipestem, W VA
Smithsonian to the Mountains Tour Southern Appalachia
Wichita World Reggae Festival Wichita, KS
Museum of Appalachia Norris, TN
Asheville Music Jamboree Mills River, NC
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Briston, TN/VA
Blue Ridge Harvestfest La Fayette, GA
Appalshop Whitesburg, KY
Smilefest Union Grove, NC
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Atlanta, GA
Flatrock Music Festival Flat Rock, NC
Carter Family Fold Hiltons, VA
French Broad River Festival Hot Springs, NC
Blue Ridge Music Center Galax, VA
Georgia Theater Athens, GA
R.A.W. Artist Showcase Utah State Fair Park, SLC, UT
South Mountain Acoustic Revival Theatre- Mayfest Burke County, NC
Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide Las Vegas, NV
Chinese New Year Half Moon Beach, Jamaica
Triad Sunsplash Greensboro, NC
Decatur Earthday Festival Decatur, GA
Hillbilly Nation Celebration Wise County, VA
Carrboro Elementary School, Carrboro, NC
Music on the Square Jonesborough, TN
Love Inna Yard, Negril, Jamaica
Eno River Festival Durham, NC
First Night Celebration Kingsport, TN
Round Mountain Festival Series Brevard, NC
Blue Plum Festival Johnson City, TN
Fall for Greenville Greenville, SC
Bristol Border Bash Bristol, TN/VA
Watauga County Library Boone, NC
Rock Creek Elementary School Erwin, TN
Art In The Park Greenville, SC
Mabel Elementary School Zionville, NC
Americorps Diversity Workshop Hampton, TN
Alive After Five Series Roanoke, VA
A R Lewis Elementary School Pickens, SC
Asheville After Five Asheville, NC
Life of Bob Marley Video Festival Boone, NC
Camp Reggae Isabella, TN
Selina’s World Wide Webcast Negril, Jamaica
Be Here Now Asheville, NC
AcousticScene Series Greenville, SC
Acoustic Coffeehouse Johnson City, TN
Music Moving Mountains RAWshowcase Asheville, NC
Neighborhood Theater Charlotte, NC
Ritmo Latino Festival Greenville, SC
Cat’s Cradle Chapel Hill, NC
The Down Home Johnson City, TN
Palace International Durham, NC
Belle Chere Asheville, NC
McKissick Elementary School Easley, SC
Charlotte Civic Center Charlotte, NC
Lake Norman Reggae Series Lake Norman, NC
Black Mountain Festival Black Mountain, NC
Greeneville/Greene County Library Greeneville, TN
Jake’s Toadhouse Atlanta, GA
Ten Years After Hickory, NC
The Old Mill Damascus, VA
Rock The Vote – ETSU Johnson City, TN
RED PEPPER RECORDS PO box 33 Greeneville, TN 37744 www.myspace.com/rasalan
Instrumentation
Ras Alan performs solo Appalachian Reggae shows with his flat top guitar, resonator guitar, "dB" the famous drink-box he kicks for a drum, and a custom ashiko.
When Ras Alan brings his touring and recording band "The Lions", expect the stratocaster, electric and/or upright bass, drumkit, organ, piano, accordian, percussion, click guitar, three part harmonies, a musical engineer and a VERY energetic stage show!
Ras Alan's ONE HEARTBEAT -Appalachia to Zimbabwe Program for children includes an Introduction to many percussion instruments from around the world, using world maps, stories and details about the instruments themselves, a focus on Respect- for the instruments, each other and ultimately ourselves, and Hands-On opportunities to try the various instruments.
Additional workshops have included children learning Patterns, Teamwork, Trust, Rehearsing, Recording and Listening/Dancing to their work together and Performing for their peers.
Discography
-Ras Alan FOLKLIFE -Live at The Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2006 CD Red Pepper Records
-Ras Alan LETTER FROM APPALACHIA 2002 CD Red Pepper Records
-Ras Alan and The Lions STONE INNA HURRICANE 1997 CD Red Pepper Records
-Ras Alan and The Lions NATIVE 1993 CD/CS Red Pepper Records
-WNCW- Crowd Around the Mic VOL. 11 CD
-WNCW- Crowd Around the Mic VOL. 7 CD Compilation
-Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide VOL.1 CD Compilation
-1000 Years of Peace CD Compilation
-Music On The Square VOL. 1 CD Compilation
-Voice Of The Turtle "World Beat Jazz" 1990; RA and others; Out of print
Links
| http://www.appalachianreggae.com |