Ras Alan: Home
1993-2009 16 YEARS OF APPALACHIAN REGGAE!!!
Help us CELEBRATE 16 years of this unique, entertaining music by booking or sponsoring a performance, showcase, house concert or event in your home, business, barn or town. Have vibes, will travel!
The Smithsonian Institution, Country Music Television, the Archives of Appalachia, PBS, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, NPR stations and internet radio worldwide have all featured Ras Alan and his music in their programming!
Now booking for the remainder of 2009! Just send an email to rasalan@appalachianreggae.com, call 423-330-8834 or click on the Sonicbids icon below to secure a date.
Ras Alan & The Lions are featured on the current WNCW "Crowd around the Mic Volume 11" double CD, performing "Days Gone By", recorded live in Studio B by Dennis Jones.
On our myspace page (www.myspace.com/rasalan), dreadnecks around the world can now download your favorite Ras Alan songs individually, including favorites from the long out-of-print STONE INNA HURRICANE, the album recorded live on the 1995-1996 STONE Tour. Check it!
I have been privileged to meet, perform with and/or share festival stages with many talented musicians, including the Steep Canyon Rangers, the Avett Brothers, Steel Pulse, Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Waybacks, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Toubab Krewe, Keller Williams, the Biscuit Burners, the Corklickers, the everybodyfields, the Grascals, Donna the Buffalo, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, the Seldom Scene, Uncle Earl, Tony Trishka and a plethora of others. Many thanks to everyone that attend our shows and performances, and buy our CDs and merchandise. Every little bit helps, and my children thank you! Please send any festival photos to rasalan@appalachianreggae.com for inclusion on our websites!
CDs are available through the "BUY" button at the top of this page. Or check http://www.cdbaby.com/all/rasalan for original Appalachian reggae music. It makes a positive present any time of year...
Ras Alan's "One HeartBeat- Appalachia to Zimbabwe" program for children is a wonderful way for K-5 students to learn RESPECT- for percussion instruments from around the world, the individuals who made the instruments and ultimately, ourselves. One day programs and Artist Residencies are available throughout 2008.
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 BURNIN' SPEAR, THE ITALS and JOHNNY CASH."
Ras Alan's blend of traditional mountain music, original lyrics, and reggae heartbeat is fun, emotional, and socially responsible. Influenced by classic reggae, 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 rhythm 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!
