Jah mon! Yes I really did say that as I'm just now coming down from a musical high that was the 14th annual Monterey Reggae Fest, a three day event that showcased over 40 artists, acts and personalized shows.
I was fortunate this year, as well as the two years past, to get free passes to this one-of-a-kind irie event that promotes family, free spirits and of course ONE LOVE (Thanks again Clear Channel Radio). Now, I'm not going to ramble on about what goes on at these events, because that's not what it is about for my wife and myself, but I'd rather talk about the people and some of the artists that blessed this stage over Labor Day Weekend.
Friday was the start of it all and I flew solo for the first couple of acts on the main and second stage. Most of the vendors were just setting up and the event had that "new car smell" to it still. This is the best time to talk to the regulars and faithful who have been to the show religiously since its start in 1995. I chatted it up with some of the show promoters and started to catch the reggae fever. Lion Camp produced the first notes floating around the Monterey Fairgrounds, extending to the airport and even onto the new golf course which ran parallel to the main stage. Richie Spice even gave a shout out to some of the players making their way around the back nine. "Much Love to the putt-putters!"
Sunday brought the best out of everyone as we packed up a stroller so full of chairs, blankets, food, water, toys and tents that we're still not sure how our daughter made it. We set up camp between two historic trees that open up just enough for us to fit in and give us a visual frame of the main stage and its background of sun-lit and color scattered sky. Let the good times begin! And they did as friends from all walks of life joined us in common place and interest. As the bands came and went, the music got better and better, setting the stage for the main acts of the weekend: Don Carlos (Reggae Ledged) and Ky-Mani Marley (Second youngest son of the great Bob).
As the sun started to set, the vibe came alive as people filtered in to grab their place in time to witness one of the offspring of an icon that has changed everyone’s life that was there. A partnership between the people, Mother Nature and Kingston Town derived tunes made for a night to remember. There was one of those "you had to be there" moments as Ky-Mani's landmark song "Warriors" played through the night, an large airplane zoomed through the sky low enough to feel, as if to tip it's cap to all who had traveled to be there.
We will be there next year in full force, just as we did in 2009. I encourage everyone who has a genuine love for reggae music to take the pilgrimage to Monterey in August. It is really something to be a part of with no static, predigests or pressure. Something not often found at any event these days. And I'll send you with a quote from the great Prezident Brown during his set where he said:
"This is the biggest and best event this weekend, today and now, and you are all apart of it, this very second."
Ride the Wave,
Steve in Seaside
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