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A relative newcomer to the genre, Papa Pilgrim's journey to Reggae music has been circuitous and adventuresome. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his voyage has included extensive travels throughout the Far East courtesy of a 20 year association with the American military establishment and an even longer affiliation with the State of Utah as a clinical social worker. Pilgrim's interest in Reggae began shortly after he moved into the neighborhood of "a long-haired hippie." Attracted by the heartbeat of "that weird music," he soon found himself singing along the sounds of 10CC's "Dreadlock Holiday." Shortly thereafter, he purchased his first album, Peter Tosh's Legalize It. Thus began a heartfelt linkage to and a love for the musical art form which he now knows to be divinely inspired. Pilgrim's Reggae writing began even more serendipitously. A
chance remark to The Beat's publisher that he was on the way to
Jamaica to attend Sunsplash '89 was met with a request that he
"cover" 'Splash' for that magazine. Since then his
writings have been published extensively in Reggae Report, The Beat
and CD Review, and to a lesser extent in the Reggae Festival Guide,
Jamaica Times, and Reggae World (of Malta). His column, Pilgrim's
Perspective, featuring the Words, Sounds and Power of independent
artists, appeared regularly in Dub Missive Magazine. Pilgrim is
quick to let folks know that he is not in the "Business of
Reggae." He neither promotes concerts nor produces nor manages
artists, and with very few exceptions, has received no remuneration
for his writing and the expenses thus incurred. A man of faith and culture, Pilgrim knows that Reggae music plays an instrumental part teaching us to to save our planet and truly live together peacefully as one. That knowledge provided the impetus and motivation to organize Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (RAW). Pilgrim "retired" from active leadership of Reggae
Ambassadors Worldwide in 1999 and from Reggae radio in 2000. He has
limited Reggae writing to an "as requested" basis. |
