Monday, August 22, 2011
On tour with the Itals in Cleveland...
We are here tonight in Cleveland Ohio, performing at the Grog Shop. We are relaxing at the hotel, about to head down to club. The owners told us they advertised at the Midwest Reggae Fest last week, so we are hoping for a nice turnout. The opening band, The Outlaws are probably onstage now, so hopefully we will catch a tune or two as we arrive. Tell your friends and family to come on out. See you there. -Greg
The Itals summer tour continued...
Last night's show was fantastic. We performed at the Hoxeyville Music Fest in Wellston, MI. Lots of bands for this 3 day festival. We were the 2nd to last act before Mickey Hart(Grateful Dead's drummer). Lots of great people were everywhere. The band began with two instrumentals, Ram Jam and Darker Shade. As the band finished up the intro, Ronnie and Keith entered the stage and began a wonderful performance to a very inviting crowd. After they mashed up the place with all the hits, the crowd was so responsive, telling us how much they loved the performance. Big up to Hoxeyville!
On the road with The Itals Summer Tour 2011
Greetings and blessings friends,
We just got back from a tour with The Original Itals(Keith Porter, Ronnie Davis, and Lloyd Ricketts). It was the first time that Lloyd Ricketts had been on tour with the group in over 25 years. The first place we performed was at Norfolk, VA Reggae Solstice. The crowd was deep, over 1500 people. Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill opened and mashed up the place with all the classic hits such as 2 sevens clash, and Fussing and Fighting. After Culture finished up, the crowd was getting very excited, anticipating the reunion. The backing band(Soul Hermit) took to the stage and performed two instrumentals, RamJam and Satta Massa Gana. As the band finished up the opening medley, the Trio took the stage and began. Starting off with the classic, "Smile Natty", continuing right into "Action", the crowd was building in energy. Performing hit after hit..."Call JAH Name", "Rastafari Chariot" and then finally a tune that features Lloyd Ricketts, "Give Me Power", the crowd went into a frenzy. The show finished up with the encore of "Dis Ya Time" and the Trio left the stage. The crowd was very high off the vibes and let us know how much it meant to them.
The second place we played was at the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival. After a long 16 hour drive, we arrived in Chicago, an hour before showtime. Arriving only an hour before showtime, the band and Trio ate some food and relaxed before taking the stage. Once again, the Trio came upon the stage and performed at peak energy, mesmerizing the crowds with their angelic harmonies. After the show finished up, we headed to the hotel and slept for awhile. Having to catch an early flight for Ronnie and Lloyd, we headed out in the early morning for Washington DC. After arriving back in DC, 13 hours later, we dropped off the crew and said goodbyes. Everyone was very happy with the short reunion and was anticipating the next time out later in the month. Lloyd specifically told me, "Greg, me love the vibes. This tour here was nice, but short. I want to go on the road for months next time."
To the unbelievable surprise of everyone, although Lloyd's spirit was strong, after returning home to Jamaica, he passed away only a week later. I only met Lloyd this tour, but had been listening to his beautiful harmonies for years. He was a gentle and kind brother. The group will continue to tour in the same spirit. RIP Lloyd.
We just got back from a tour with The Original Itals(Keith Porter, Ronnie Davis, and Lloyd Ricketts). It was the first time that Lloyd Ricketts had been on tour with the group in over 25 years. The first place we performed was at Norfolk, VA Reggae Solstice. The crowd was deep, over 1500 people. Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill opened and mashed up the place with all the classic hits such as 2 sevens clash, and Fussing and Fighting. After Culture finished up, the crowd was getting very excited, anticipating the reunion. The backing band(Soul Hermit) took to the stage and performed two instrumentals, RamJam and Satta Massa Gana. As the band finished up the opening medley, the Trio took the stage and began. Starting off with the classic, "Smile Natty", continuing right into "Action", the crowd was building in energy. Performing hit after hit..."Call JAH Name", "Rastafari Chariot" and then finally a tune that features Lloyd Ricketts, "Give Me Power", the crowd went into a frenzy. The show finished up with the encore of "Dis Ya Time" and the Trio left the stage. The crowd was very high off the vibes and let us know how much it meant to them.
The second place we played was at the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival. After a long 16 hour drive, we arrived in Chicago, an hour before showtime. Arriving only an hour before showtime, the band and Trio ate some food and relaxed before taking the stage. Once again, the Trio came upon the stage and performed at peak energy, mesmerizing the crowds with their angelic harmonies. After the show finished up, we headed to the hotel and slept for awhile. Having to catch an early flight for Ronnie and Lloyd, we headed out in the early morning for Washington DC. After arriving back in DC, 13 hours later, we dropped off the crew and said goodbyes. Everyone was very happy with the short reunion and was anticipating the next time out later in the month. Lloyd specifically told me, "Greg, me love the vibes. This tour here was nice, but short. I want to go on the road for months next time."
To the unbelievable surprise of everyone, although Lloyd's spirit was strong, after returning home to Jamaica, he passed away only a week later. I only met Lloyd this tour, but had been listening to his beautiful harmonies for years. He was a gentle and kind brother. The group will continue to tour in the same spirit. RIP Lloyd.
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