Ras Alan- Vocals, resonator, flat top and electric guitars, dB (the drinkbox Ras Alan stomps for a drum in acoustic settings), ashiko, songwriter, arranger, producer. From 1991-2009 The Lions have included: bassists- Dennis "Jah B" Berndt, "Brother Bob" Franklin, Ian "New Taters" Feathers, Michael "Sir Mike" Fink, Jay Sanders, Billy "Jah Life" Flynt, Gary "I-ley" Wiley, Durham Mike, "Jah Will" Nicholson. On Drumkit- Billy "Mismo Joe" Owens, Skye McLeod, Brandon Renfro, Adam Sitnick, Richard "Mashee" Foulk, "Pele" Pyle, Tom "Smiley D" Davenport, Freddy Jones, I-ric Dauphin, "Farmer John" Weiner. On organ, piano, keyboards- Robert "Brother Bob" Franklin, Don "Latrelle" Eanes, Andy "Jah-remy" Corn, Sean "Foley-I" Foley. On Guitar- Evan "The Professor" Ackerman, "Dubby" Gray Whitley, "Jah P" Delonye. On Fiddle- Michael Ogren. On Percussion- Nethali "NeddyMon" Percival, "Tob-I" Halton. And on saxophone- Frank "Sunshine" Southecorvo. Many others have sat in or played just a show or two.... Always positive!
Influences
Bob Marley and The Wailers, Doc Watson, The Itals, The Carter Family, The Abyssinians, Norman Blake, early Burning Spear, Neil Young, David Grisman et al, Joseph Hill and Culture, old time fiddle and banjo tunes, African drumming, Life in the Appalachians, RASTAFARI!
I am a singer-songwriter-musician-producer-engineer guy born and raised in the southern Appalachian Mountains. I am blessed with awesome children and reside with my family on a small farm beside the Cherokee National Forest.
I also design appropriate, solar, energy effecient and artful buildings and structures, as well as being an "old school" carpenter and woodworker.
In this life, I've been most fortunate to win awards with both the music and design/build projects.
I began my record label- Red Pepper Records "Hot music good for your Heart" in 1992, in Zionville, NC, and released Ras Alan & The Lions' "NATIVE" full length CD in 1993, "STONE INNA HURRICANE", a live collection from the 1994-1995 STONE Tour in 1997, "LETTER FROM APPALACHIA" in 2002 and "FOLKLIFE-Live at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival" in 2006. A new album is in the works, as well as potential releases from concerts in Jamaica and the US. The Smithsonian Institution put my records in their Permanent Archives to represent "Contemporary Southern Appalachian Culture and Music". Who'd a thought?!
In the past 30 years of music, I've been exceedingly fortunate to meet, perform and share the stage with the biggest names in reggae music, as well as bluegrass, old time, country, Americana, folk and pop artists. Wow... I give Thanks! I look forward to 30 more years!
I enjoy the opportunity to perform my original music at festivals, shows and house concerts all over, either solo or with members of my touring and recording band, The Lions. I've listed some of the major players in The Lions at left under "Band Members". Many musicians eventually "get into" reggae sometime in their careers, and the process of deconstructing and reconstructing this wonderful style is continually refreshing, even when morphing with the mountain and country influences of my youth.
My "One HeartBeat- Appalachia to Zimbabwe" program for children is a worldwide exploration of drums and percussion instruments with a focus on RESPECT- for the instruments themselves, the materials used in their fabrication, the makers of the instruments and ultimately ourselves, as players and lovers of the instruments. All K-5 schools out there- give us a call! We do one day programs up to 4 day "Artist in Residence" packages. Every one has a grand time, and we do get loud!
Check the Snocap store on this page to purchase MP3s of songs from the albums, including the long out of print "STONE..." CD, and surprises from here and there.
Please check the other sites as well: http://www.appalachianreggae.com, http://www.cdbaby.com/all/rasalan, http://www.sonicbids.com/rasalan
Thank you one and all for your support for over 20 years of Appalachian Reggae!
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 423-330-8834
Ras Alan, Loved those positive vibes at Bele Chere! I wish we could do it all again this weekend. Especially loved that Ital Misting Station :) Keep on chunkin' those chords. Canty
can't believe we missed your show in johnson city, tn... (dang finals!) but we can't wait for bele chere! you should upload more tunes... i would love to be able to share dreadneck and nice up natty on my profile. :)
Hello Ras Alan ....just wanted to say thanks for adding me , and thanks for sharing your amazing talent... Some of the best artists come from the moutains of Va. and N.c. !!!
Hello Beautiful 1 !
So very "WAY" beyond GRACIOUS of YOU 2 make room 4 this lil ol' neo-hip kinda
musica de Afro/Celtic psychedelic jazzyfolkrockin'mountainBLUEspiritual3-PEACELovin'
MUSE on YOUR SPACE ! RAS ALAN ROCKS ! ! !
Online Now!
