Topic: My CD's
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When I was A Boy
I was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica. We lived five minutes away from "Studio One", the first Recording Studio ever operated in Jamaica. My sister and I had to walk past this studio twice a day on our way to and from school. We would have to take the bus from Cross Roads to Half-Way-Tree. On our daily journey we would notice a long line of musicians
and singers hoping to be noticed and perhaps get their "big break" There were all sorts of people hanging around, some were ligitimate others were only looking for an easy victim to rob. One day, while on our usual trip past "Studio One", I felt a hard, sharp implement pushing into my side, I was to be the next victim, the object was a knife and the holder was after my lunch money. This was not a rare occurance, we were frequently parted from our money. Imagine not having any money to get on the bus and having to walk to and from school. Also imagine being at school all day with nothing to eat or drink because some criminal took your money. On one occasion we even got punished by my mother because we got home late as we had to walk home. Later on in life I realized that these people were poor and probably hungry. The phrase "starving artist" comes to mind, they would stand in the hot Jamaican sun with no food or water waiting to get their chance at the big life. Those who were noticed would sell their song to Studio One for ten pounds, and even if that song became a hit record that was all they got! As time went on I became well known among the artists and the people at Studio One, this spared me from further robberies and I was allowed to walk in peace. Studio One was owned by the Coxsone,family and Mother Coxsone, soon noticed me. She would give me "test pressings" which were warped and of no use to them. I would hurry home to play them. This was the beginning of my love for and facination with music and the music business. After twentysix years in the music business I am able to understand the hardships those artists faced. It was even more difficult for these pioneers as there were no other studios to go to. They had no choice but to stand and wait and take whatever price was offered for. their work.Read More...
"There's a joke about Jamaica: There are only two speeds threre...slow and dead stop." Tony Nicholson smiles when he describes his native island. He says he returns there on occasion becaus the island makes him "feel rejuvenated."
The reggae musician plays six nights a weeek at Daiquiri's in the West End. It's no wonder the guitarist/vocalist feels the need for Caribbean calm.
Nicholson came to Dallas 1ast summer. He began hawking his album on West End corner,eventually selling 2000 records. When Daiquiri's opened last fall, Nicholson convinced the owner that reggae music was perfect for the club. Nicholson banded together with bass player Austin Mathews of Saint Kitts and Ian Ellis a rhythm guitarist from Jamaica. In the intervening months Nicholson and company have developed a steady following.
The group play's a mixture of original and welI-known reggae songs such as "I Shot the Sheriff' with an emphasis on the original. Nicholson has even written a song called 'West End Magic.' which blends social
commentary with a refrain about friends rocking in the West End.
Ironically, it took a trip outside his Native Jamaica , the birthplace of Reggae, for Nicholson to start performing the music. "I visited Toronto and heard people playing music they were calling Reggae, but it didnt sound like any Reggae I had ever heard. I thought that the music needed to be played by people who knew, loved and respected Reggae music. I knew that I had to do it" He went back home for a brief visit, but returned to Canada a few months later. When he returned, Nicholson joined a group that became "Bloodfire."
During his five-year stay in the north, Nicholson and 'Bloodfire' opened concerts for the biggest names in reggae, Bloodfire played venues with Steel Pulse, Third World, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff, he even opened for the Police, But Nicholson is quick to add, "It was before they were really big,"
Nicholson came to Dallas for two main reasons. His primary reason was to join his family. His father was transferred here five years ago. The elder Nicholson is an engineer at a Plano based computer company.
Nicholson's other reason is a long-term goal: "To establish the music here."
He explains his waist Iength dreadlocks are associated with his faith. There are strict rules governing diet as well as the law against cutting the hair. The rules of Rastafari also give guidance regarding how to live everyday, and how to interact with others. For Tony the Music is all that matters.................
and Reggae music have been tightly interwoven through the fabric of my life. As a young man, entering adulthood, there was strong opposition to me taking up the Rasta Faith. My family tried to get me to cut my hair and go to Catholic Mass! They also tried to get me to forget music and concentrate on a nine-to-five job. As far as I was concerned they might as well ask me to walk on hot coals! No way was I about to give up my Faith or my love of music. There was not other alternative, I had to leave and be myself. I fled the family ties and migrated to Canada, where I was free to outwardly manifest my belief. It was there, far away from home that I put on my Dreadlocks and persued music full time. I had countless dreams of being a musician and that has been all I have ever wanted to do as far back as I can remember. Anyone who made the decision to follow Rastafari in those days exposed themselves to descrimination and redicule. Many were disowned by their parents and family.
JAH has been my strength and comfort. I am determined and will never give up any one of my true loves, neither Rastafari nor Music!........One Love.
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