On tour with The Itals in Kalamazoo MI

  Peace Reggae Fans and Friends,

Just getting back from several weekends over touring with The Legendary Itals, Keith Porter, Kada Porter, and Darren Porter. The first place we landed was Kalamazoo MI. This was a great outdoor festival with other great performers such as the Blue Riddim Band. The band included myself on guitar, Chris (peanut) Whitley on keys, Brent Finlen on Drums, and Englishman Briscoe on bass. Took about 11 hours to get there from DC, but the drive was safe and we arrived in the morning of the show date. As we arrived, the hotel rooms were not ready yet, but we got to hang out and talk with some of the bands that performed the day before. After hanging out with Blue Riddim Band and others, we got into our rooms and rested. About 4pm we got back up and headed over to the venue. It was a nice outdoor spot ready for the Itals to be the crowning of the festival. As we arrived, the crowd was ready for the band and welcomed us with heavy applause. We began the set with 2 instrumentals, and  as the crowd was getting more and more hot for the sounds of the Legendary Itals, we began the intro medley. After several song intros, Keith, Kada, and Darren arrived on the stage and began to mash up the crowd with all the hits, beginning with Call Dread Name, Action, Rastafari Chariot, Farewell, and the songs just kept coming and the crowd was in a frenzy. As we continued through the list of Itals hits, the crowd were becoming more and more satisfied with the full length show of original roots Jamaican reggae. We played JAH Glory as an encore and ended with the crowd chanting for more, so we had to appease and performed the biggest hit, In a Dis Ya Time. The crowd gave a lot of love as Keith, Kada, and Darren left the stage. We finished up the set and said our good byes to a very thankful crowd. Thank you Kalamazoo!