by Micah 'Prof.' Robinson
The place feels like an extension of Nashville, Tennessee, with its underlying emphasis on country/western music. It seems everywhere you go, you hear it on the radio. I guess it's one of the varieties of roots music that is native to these United States. Actually, it's good to see people into their music the same way we're into reggae.
Closer to the concert venue, the atmosphere is one of a giant carnival; there are countless booths and vendors selling anything from cowboy boots, and American flags to crocodile kabobs. I actually tried one and liked it. James and I bought barbequed turkey wings from a man across from the hotel and walked the roughly half mile to the stage. On the way he remarked that Smokey Robinson was to play as well, but on a different stage and at the same time as us. As great as it is to encounter the other great musicians that we do, it's equally disappointing to miss them when we know they are in town at the same time.
The band that played right before us was a country band…I can't remember their name; it seems I'm not very good at that. I do remember that they sounded really good and that they had a female bass player. I tried to imagine the kinds of dues she must have paid to find a place in that musical community. When they finished, it seemed like an intersection, where the cars are different each time the light catches them. It seemed like all the country music folks had left and were replaced by reggae faithful. It only seemed that way, though. As we left the stage, there were several who remarked at how they hadn't heard reggae music before and that they would have to get as much as possible, now that they've been a part of the Burning experience.
