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55,000 Reggae Fans and Reggae Industry folks receive this publication each thursday!
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Volume 23/Issue 38
Media Coverage of Reggae Since 1995
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click on it to jump to that section
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Jah Decko "LOVE WHO LOVES YOU BACK TOUR" - 2027 Bookings Now Available!
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 Suriname-born and Amsterdam-based, Jah Decko brings authentic roots reggae with a modern edge.
Conscious lyrics, deep grooves and a powerful live band make his show a strong fit for reggae festivals, clubs and cultural events in 2027.
Jah Decko born as Darl Douglas in Paramaribo, Suriname, came to the Netherlands at a young age with his mother. He grew up in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Amsterdam. He showed a lot of talent for football at a young age and was scouted at the age of 11 by the Amsterdam professional football organization Ajax.
He grew into a professional football player and kept it up for 14 years. During his football career he discovered that he also had another love, and that is music...mainly reggae.
In 2003 he started the formation Dreddayouthz — offering something that had never been done before by other Surinamese artists: singing Surinamese lyrics on roots reggae riddims. The concept was a local success and many performances followed.
During this period, Jah Decko produced the tracks of Dreddayouthz in collaboration with his cousin Marvin Nijhove.
In 2011 he released the album “Modern Rockers Vol 1” by Joggo with hit songs such as “Beware & Peace & Love”, in 2012 the EPs “Liberation & Liberation 2.0” by Ziggi Recado and in 2015 “Mount Zion” by Miriam Simone.
After a number of years of producing, Jah Decko released the EP RASTAFARI-I WAY in 2020. On this EP he introduces his BoBo Ashanti brother Ras Mendel. Because Reggae music is universal, Jah Decko decided to record English tracks around the Corona/Covid crisis.
The productions of these tracks are in the name of Jah Decko (drums & Bass), Jacques Nagelhout (Guitar, Bass, drums) & Marvin Nijhove (keyboards, piano).
From the beginning, Jah Decko has been known as an artist who brings socially critical lyrics, and produces deep roots rock reggae riddims.
This will be no different on his upcoming debut album LOVE WHO LOVES YOU BACK (sung in English) to be released October 5, 2026
LISTEN TO "LOVE WHO LOVES YOU BACK" HERE ON MUSIC PLATFORM OF YOUR CHOICE
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
jahdeckomanagement@gmail.com
+31 (0)6 30 46 00 71
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Piercy, CA - 38th Reggae On The River —Ne w Summer Dates For 2027
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 Mateel Community Center has officially announced that Reggae on the River is returning for its landmark 38th year to the banks of the Eel River at County Line Ranch in Piercy, shifting its traditional timing to early summer. The historic festival is set to take place June 25 through June 27, 2027.
This strategic move to June marks a bold new chapter for the festival, offering attendees a pristine early-summer experience under the Humboldt County sun while keeping the same community-driven spirit alive among the ancient redwoods.
The 2027 immersive three-day experience features three distinct stages, including the Basscraft sound system, hosting world-class live performances, alongside dedicated family-friendly spaces like the Kidz Zone.
Attendees can also explore an expansive art gallery, diverse vendor booths, a vibrant Jah Mal village showcasing unique artisan crafts, dedicated camping, river spots and much more.
Rude boy tickets will be on sale soon, so stay posted for official lineup announcements, early-bird access, and ticketing details.
Nicole Bondurant, Director of Advertising and Marketing, Mateel Community Center /
Reggae on the River rotrmedia@mateel.org
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RIP - Jackie Jackson, legendary Jamaican bass guitarist, dies at 79
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 Clifton “Jackie” Jackson, the legendary bass guitarist who played on countless hit songs by artistes such as Toots And The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff and Paul Simon, died in Montego Bay on Wednesday.
Jackson, 79, was admitted to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James recently. He was a fixture on the Montego Bay hotel scene for many years, mentoring artistes and musicians including his wife, Karen Smith, who died in 2021.
From Central Kingston, Jackson got his start in the mid-1960s at the Treasure Isle recording studio of producer Duke Reid. He was a member of The Supersonics, the house band that played on numerous hit singles including Girl I’ve Got A Date by Alton Ellis, Little Nut Tree by The Melodians and Queen Majesty by The Techniques.
Jackson also played on classic songs for producer Leslie Kong, such as Israelites by Desmond Dekker and The Aces, By The Rivers of Babylon by The Melodians as well as The Harder They Come and Wonderful World, Beautiful People by Jimmy Cliff.
Source
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FROM DUBMATIX: Congolese Rumba and the Music That Moved a Continent
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 One piece of music has been the common thread running through every African popular music article Bass Culture has published.
The Dakar by Night piece documented how Orchestra Baobab absorbed Cuban son through Radio Havana broadcasts and built Senegal’s most celebrated music from the synthesis. The Semba article traced the word rumba itself back to a Kikongo term, nkumba, meaning navel, the same linguistic root that connects the belly-to-belly dance of Angolan semba to the Cuban rumba and the Congolese tradition that is today’s subject.
The Ethio-jazz article documented how Afro-Cuban rhythms reached Addis Ababa through the same radio broadcasts that were reshaping popular music across the continent. At the centre of these connections is the music that most directly shaped what sub-Saharan Africa sounded like in the second half of the twentieth century: Congolese rumba. This is its story.
The Origin: Cuba Returns to Africa
The extraordinary paradox at the heart of Congolese rumba is that it was built from music that left Africa centuries earlier and returned transformed. Cuban son and rumba, the music that Havana’s sextetos and septetos had developed from the encounter between Spanish guitar and Afro-Cuban percussion, had itself grown from the musical traditions of the Bantu peoples of central Africa, the same communities whose descendants were now receiving it back through imported records and radio broadcasts in the 1940s. When Congolese musicians absorbed Cuban music with such immediate and comprehensive enthusiasm that they began to recreate it within a decade of first hearing it, they were not adopting a foreign culture. They were recognizing, across three centuries of Atlantic separation, something that had originally been theirs.
The transformation began in the early 1940s, when sailors and traders brought Cuban records to Léopoldville, now Kinshasa, the capital of the Belgian Congo. The records, primarily by the Sexteto Habanero, the Trío Matamoros, and Los Guaracheros de Oriente, were mistakenly labelled as “rumba” by Belgian colonial distributors, and the name stuck. Congolese musicians absorbed the guitar-based son structure, the call-and-response vocal philosophy, and the syncopated rhythmic patterns of the Cuban tradition with extraordinary speed, filtering them through their own Lingala language and musical sensibility to produce something simultaneously Cuban in structure and unmistakably Congolese in character. The term “Congo Rumba” was formally coined in 1934 by Jean Réal, a French entertainment director from Martinique, who established a musical ensemble in Brazzaville.
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE
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THIS WEEKEND - Oakland, CA - September 26 - Reggae Town Music presents Reggae On Fire! Sisters of Reggae — a powerful night of live reggae music, culture, food, vendors, and community in Oakland.
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 Come experience an unforgettable evening of Bay Area reggae, roots reggae, dancehall energy, cultural music, and positive vibrations at ROOT’D in the 510, located at 4444 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA.
This special Sisters of Reggae edition of Reggae On Fire! features Sister I-Live, a Bay Area favorite known for her high-energy performances, uplifting roots reggae, cultural messages, original songs, and classic reggae covers. Also performing is Brady Shammar, a Kingston, Jamaica-born singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger whose powerful voice, bold stage presence, and reggae-fusion style have earned her performances at major reggae festivals and alongside respected international artists.
GET TICKETS HERE
If you are looking for reggae in Oakland, reggae concerts in Berkeley, live reggae near San Francisco, or a roots reggae event in the Bay Area, this is the night to be in the building.
Reggae On Fire! Sisters of Reggae - Saturday, September 26th
Doors Open: 7:00 PM - Show Starts: 8:00 PM
ROOT’D in the 510 - 4444 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA
Presented by: Reggae Town Music
Headlining Sisters of Reggae is Sister I-Live, a Bay Area favorite and powerful reggae performer with deep Jamaican roots. Born and raised in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Sister I-Live brings a spiritual and cultural foundation to her music, blending roots reggae, dancehall energy, original songwriting, and classic reggae covers.
Known as a lively performer whose dancing moves the crowd, Sister I-Live brings fire, healing messages, and authentic reggae energy to every stage.
Special Performance by Brady Shammar - an Afro-centric singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger from Kingston. Her music blends reggae with alt rock, conscious lyrics, strong melodies, and a bold live performance style. Jamaican food vendor and reggae, cultural, arts, crafts, and community vendors.
Come early, enjoy the food, support local vendors, connect with the community/
ReggaeTownMusic.com
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Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band — Now Booking 2027
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 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band —California Tour 2026 Wraps w/ Strong Results — Now Booking 2027
Right Vibes Productions is pleased to announce the successful completion of Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band’s four-city California tour, with three of the four performances selling out and the Los Angeles date drawing a packed house.
The highly anticipated California run brought one of reggae’s most respected voices and authentic roots reggae performers to stages in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Mill Valley, demonstrating the continued demand for Clinton Fearon and quality roots reggae music.
The tour opened with a SOLD-OUT performance in San Diego, followed by a packed house at the Dub Club Echoplex in Los Angeles. The tour continued with SOLD-OUT performances in Santa Cruz and Mill Valley, giving the California run an impressive three sold-out shows out of four. For promoters, festival organizers and talent buyers, the response is a strong indication that Clinton Fearon remains a powerful live attraction with an established audience and the ability to draw fans across multiple California markets.
CLINTON FEARON IS AVAILABLE FOR 2027 BOOKINGS
Following the success of the California tour, Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band are now available for 2027 festival, concert and venue bookings through Right Vibes Productions. With a career spanning more than five decades, Clinton Fearon continues to bring the authentic roots reggae tradition to audiences around the world. Promoters looking to add a legendary reggae artist with a proven live following to their 2027 lineup are encouraged to inquire early. Clinton Fearon Live - "On The Other Side"
Festival Promoters • Talent Buyers • Venues • Concert Presenters For 2027 booking inquiries,
contact:Right Vibes Productions - Jeff Allgrove rightvibesproductions@gmail.com | www.rightvibesproductions.com
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BLVK H3RO | STRICTLY GOOD VIBES TOUR | NOW BOOKING
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 Grammy-nominated Jamaican artist Blvk H3ro is bringing his Strictly Good Vibes Tour to the West Coast this fall, following recent performances across Europe and the Americas, including France, Germany, Poland, Panama, Costa Rica and California’s Reggae on the River.
The tour coincides with the October 2 release of Strictly Good Vibes Vol. 1, alongside the new Strictly Good Vibes Remix 9/15 featuring The Movement & Perfect Giddimani.
The tour kicks off October 3 at Goldiggers in Los Angeles, with select dates throughout California and additional dates currently being routed.
NOW BOOKING: West Coast venue dates, concerts and select opening/support opportunities for 2026–2027.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
GET TICKETS HERE
• 10/3 — Los Angeles, CA — Gold Diggers w/ Bambaata
• 10/17 — Ukiah, CA — Thirsty Axe
• 10/18 — Santa Cruz, CA — Woodhouse Brewing
• 10/22 — Reno, NV — Club Underground
• 10/23 — Pacifica, CA — Longboard Margarita
• 11/8 — TBA
MUSIC + LINKS for Strictly Good Vibes:
Spotify
YouTube
Instagram
Website
BOOKING: William Wright
/ Eastern Sun Talent
william@easternsuntalent.com
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Orlando, FL🔥🌴 REGGAE DAY IS COMING TO ORLANDO! 🌴🔥 October 3
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 🔥🌴 REGGAE DAY IS COMING TO ORLANDO! 🌴🔥
Get ready for a full day and night of positive vibrations, live reggae music, great food, cold drinks, and community as Reggae Day takes over Boxi Park in the heart of Lake Nona!
📅 Saturday, October 3rd ⏰ 12PM – 12AM
📍 Boxi Park 6877 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
🎤 Performing Live: 🎶 NostalJah - 🎶 Warrior Love - 🎶 Shamanic Rootz - 🎶 Army Gideon
🎧 Selections by: 🔊 DJ RED i 🔊 Gary Dread
Experience twelve hours of roots reggae, conscious vibes, dancehall energy, culture, food vendors, craft drinks, and family-friendly fun in one of Orlando's most unique outdoor venues.
Bring your flags, bring your friends, and come celebrate the music, culture, and spirit of reggae with us.
One Love • One People • One Vibration
#ReggaeDay #BoxiPark #LakeNona #OrlandoEvents #ReggaeMusic
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Berkeley, CA - THE GREEN also Johnny Suite UC Theatre - October 4, 2026
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 The Green also Johnny Suite - The UC Theatre - October 4, 2026
Doors: 7:00 pm - Start: 8:00 pm
All Ages
BUY TICKETS $32.50 + FEES HERE
For over 15 years, The Green has been a cornerstone of the reggae music scene, seamlessly blending island roots with global appeal. Based in Hawaii, the band has become one of the most beloved and influential acts to emerge from the islands, pioneering U.S. mainland tours and sharing stages with reggae legends like Rebelution, Iration, SOJA, and Jamaica’s own Damian Marley. Their widespread acclaim caught the attention of Grammy-winning superstar Bruno Mars, who invited them to open for his sold-out shows at Honolulu’s Blaisdell Arena in 2014 and Hawaii’s iconic Aloha Stadium in 2018.
With themes of family, resilience, and unity woven into their music, The Green has cultivated a devoted global fanbase. Classics like "All I Need," "Love I," and "Wake Up" continue to resonate with long-time listeners, while collaborations with artists such as J Boog on tracks like "Feelings," "Never Give Up," and "Fire up Di Roses" draw in new audiences. Their recent single,Day by Day, featuring fellow Hawaii artist Kolohe Kai, celebrates the Aloha spirit and furthers their mission of spreading positivity.
https://www.theuctheatre.org/shows/the-green-04-oct
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Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Caribbean Roots Festival - October 18
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 Atlanta Caribbean Roots Festival Brings Island Vibes to Grant Park
ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Caribbean Roots Festival returns to Grant Park on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., bringing a colorful celebration of Caribbean food, culture, music and island vibes to Atlanta.
The family-friendly festival will feature live DJs, Caribbean food, vendors, a Kids Zone and more.
Best of all, admission is FREE.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance through Eventbrite.
EVENT DETAILS
Atlanta Caribbean Roots Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2026 • 12–8 p.m.
Grant Park • Atlanta, Georgia
FREE Admission
RSVP: Eventbrite.com
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE: Berkeley, CA Steel Pulse - December 31, 2026 - The UC Theatre
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 Steel Pulse - Reggae Against Racism Tour
Bearing witness to the accelerating negativity of global affairs, Steel Pulse emerges with musical vengeance to halt the disarray of humanity. The band's twelfth studio production, titled Mass Manipulation, reflects four decades committed to bettering mankind through music.
Steel Pulse continues to be revolutionary in engaging controversial topics of racial injustice and human rights on a global scale. Their musical stance and conceptualizations are as potent and relevant today as they were at the beginning of their career. The album’s uniquely thematic approach provokes thought as it presses forward, toward humanities unification.
A manipulation of our minds has been influenced by a New World Order currently dominating humankind. Steel Pulse reappears at a fated moment, armed with compassion, encouraging all people to reject false ideals, set higher goals, and demand more from themselves to further this unification.
Doors: 8:00 pm Start: 9:00 pm - All Ages
New Year's Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2026
2036 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA
GET TICKETS HERE
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Featured Video —Legend Jackie Jackson Proves Why His Bass Lines Are The Most Sampled Bass Lines In Reggae History
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CLICK IMAGE TO ENJOY VIDEO
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Legend Jackie Jackson Proves Why His Bass Lines Are The Most Sampled Bass Lines In Reggae History
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Attention Reggae Artists — Free listing opportunity
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Greetings Reggae Artists,
Please give yourself a FREE link on our top-ranking website: www.ReggaeFestivalGuide.com
Here is the direct link to post your info: (easy and free – takes 2 minutes)
https://reggaefestivalguide.com/orders/link.php
Your info will appear in our LINK DIRECTORY — another way for fans and industry folks to find you!
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Hey Reggae Fans ~ Follow Us On Socials>>>>>
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Our Email DataBase Reaches Thousands of Reggae Festival Promoters and Venues
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Call Kaati or Joana today: 775 846 8238
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Attention Artists and Festival Promoters...Use Our Services To Build Your Platforms And Your Following...
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DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL — WE ALREADY HAVE THE DATABASES AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS OF THE FANS AND INDUSTRY THAT YOU WANT TO REACH.
~Are your social media platforms non-existent or under-utilized?
~Would you like your name and music to get out there to new reggae fans?
If so, we can help! We have over 31 years of experience in marketing reggae bands and reggae festivals and offer these services and more:
- Social media development (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Create descriptive written content (press releases, band bios, sponsor packages, etc.)
- Develop digital marketing strategies to increase your customer base
- Custom Global PR services
- We can also build your Electronic Press Kit for you (EPK)
If you have questions about what online marketing techniques would work best for you, Give Us a call today for a free consultation ~ 775-846-8238 or Email
Kaati and Joana - RBA PUBLISHING & PUBLICITY
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In Jah's Name We Pray - Sending Prayers
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Sending Prayers to all of our Sisters & Brothers
who are suffering from the extreme heat, fires, floods and tornadoes.
Please know you are in our hearts!
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Richie B's Jamaican Reggae Airplay Charts
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Jamaica Music Countdown
By Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess
JMC Charts - Sept 18 - 24, 2026
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TOP 25 Dancehall Singles,TOP 25 Reggae Singles, and TOP 10 Albums/CD Chart
JAMAICA MUSIC COUNTDOWN
By Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess
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Ital Statistics This week in Reggae and Nubian, Rasta, herb and related history
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| September 23 |
| 1862: |
Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation is published in Northern Newspapers |
| ----: |
Mackie Conscious (Dennis McKay) is born in the inner city of Clarke Street, Montego Bay, Jamaica. |
| 1966: |
(or 1967): Junior Tucker (Leslie Tucker, Jr.) is born. |
| 1980: |
The last performance of Bob Marley at the Stanley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
"Redemption Song" performed on this concert is in a boxset "Songs of Freedom".
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| September 24 |
| 1955: |
Winston George Bowen aka Bo Pee [809; guitar] is born in Jamaica. |
| 1959: |
Drummie Zeb [Aswad] is born Angus Gaye in London. |
| 1962: |
Singer Triston Palma is born in Waltham Park, Kingston, Jamaica. |
| 1968: |
Ushiwakamaru, Japanese DJ, is born. |
| 1973: |
Portuguese Guinea (Guinea-Bissau) declares independence. |
| 1979: |
The Wailers hold a benefit concert in the National Heroes Arena, Jamaica. |
| 1983: |
"Labour Of Love", a collection of classic songs given UB40 reggae treatments, hits U.K. #1 in its week of entry, and will stay on the chart for 18 months - It is supported by a short film, similarly titled, directed by Bernard Rose together with latest band recruit, Brian Travers. |
| September 25 |
| 1977: |
Ras Ghandi (Duaine Bowen) is born. |
| 1997: |
Sir Paul McCartney makes his second plea for decriminalization of cannabis
"I support decriminalization. People are smoking pot anyway and to make them criminal is wrong," he told the New Statesman magazine. He said it was pointless to fill jails with people who smoked cannabis because this was likely to turn them into true criminals. Citing his own experience of being arrested for possessing marijuana in Japan in 1980, he said he learned nothing from it. "When I was jailed in Japan for having pot there was no attempt at rehabilitation. They just stuck me in a box for nine days."
His first plea was made in London Times on July 25, 1967.
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If You Missed Your Latest (Or Any) Copy of The Weekly Reggae Festival Guide,
You Can Find Back Issues In The Archives
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Reggae Marketing Specialists since 1993 - Trusted, Reliable ~ Creative
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 2026 marks the 32nd year that Reggae Festival Guide has been the leading media company in the reggae industry!
Our parent company, RBA Publishing & Publicity, is based out of Humboldt County, CA (formerly Reno, NV). For 25 years, we produced the annual Reggae Festival Guide print magazine. Although we don't publish the annual magazine anymore, we have our top-ranking website: www.ReggaeFestivalGuide (41,000 unique monthly visitors), and this weekly reggae e-publication Reggae Festival Guide (55,000 weekly subscribers). Please follow us on Socials for up-to-the-minute reggae news and music: We have 450,000 fans that follow us on Facebook (please join us there), 40K that follow us on Instagram, and another 9,000 that follow us on Twitter.
We offer you many ways to help you get your fix of reggae music, history, lifestyle, current news, and of course, festivals, all year round.
Our publicity & marketing company keeps growing and adding elements to bring you trusted coverage of reggae happenings from around the world.
We love what we do and look forward to input from you with your suggestions, critiques, questions, etc.
Also contact us to find out how you can promote your band/business/festival in this e-newsletter or on our website.
Kaati Gaffney, Publisher
We also offer Publicity & Graphic Services for bands and festivals:
band bios and interview written, social media management, website consulting design and maintenance, EPKs created, graphics for advertising and social media branded videos, and more. Please contact us to find out how we can help you with your exciting projects.
One Love from our reggae-loving family to you,
Kaati, Joana, Irene, Michele, and Melisa
Information - both editorial and advertising - in the Reggae Festival Guide - is believed to be correct but not guaranteed - so check it carefully before you attend any event or send money for anything. We do not write the news, just report it.
Text or Whats App: 775-846-8238; or e-mail
RBA Publishing, Inc. in business since 1995, is a boutique reggae-specific PR and marketing firm based in Northern California. We help musicians, festivals, labels and music-related brands. Our digital campaigns target fans, industry and influencers. We are masterful at email marketing, social media, fan acquisition and long-term marketing plans. Our media services are supported by people who understand and love the reggae genre. Publishers of Reggae Festival Guide magazine and e-newsletter. Reggae industry leaders for over 30 years.
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It will make us very sad if you do, and perhaps your removal will be the one the makes us decide this no longer worth doing at all, and all the information we provide will go away forever and musicians will sit home alone at night and cry because they have no one to play for because no one knows about their shows or music.
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