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Born in Coastal NC, Carl Blackmon grew up on Oak Island. He loved reggae from an early age and was able to connect and play keyboards for some of the greats in reggae, such as The Itals and Culture. Carl currently lives in Wilmington NC, with his fiancee and two children. He plays keyboards for Signal Fire and The Give Thanks Band.

Unsung Heroes: Desi Hyson

 

 

Bob Marley accurately said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.” These words ring true, and never more clearly with this next singer we had the opportunity to interview. Desi Hyson is the lead singer and keyboard player for the mighty reggae band,… Read More

Unsung Heroes: Chris “Peanut” Whitley

When I first started learning keyboards as a teenager, I would hear stories from other musicians about this great keyboard player named “Peanut” who lives in Virginia and has played for all the reggae greats. Through the years, I heard the music he produced with singers, and would… Read More

Unsung Heroes: Amani Smith

In the late eighties and early nineties, if you wanted reggae music, it was probably coming from RAS Records, straight out of Washington D.C. They had a mail order catalog (pre-internet) and were the publisher for a lot of the famous acts coming out of Jamaica at the time.… Read More

Unsung Heroes: Lift Up Records Q&A with Amani Smith

In the late eighties and early nineties, if you wanted reggae music, it was probably coming from RAS Records, straight out of Washington D.C. They had a mail-order catalog (pre-internet) and served as publisher for a lot of the famous acts coming out of Jamaica at the time. … Read More