Page 1 - Abacoa Community News - July '22
P. 1
VOL. 23 NO. 7 www.seabreezepublications.com JULY 2022
Grateful Dead Tribute Deuterman Productions
Concert On July 16 Presents: Stephen Marley
Friday, July 29 – Doors Open At 6 p.m.
Crazy Fingers performed
their first official show at Stephen Marley is an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. From his solo
a private party at Ultimate works to family collaborations and production credits, Marley’s music has earned him
Farms in Delray Beach, Fla., eight Grammy awards. He is the second eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Rita
on Halloween, Oct. 31, 1990. Marley, and was raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Stephen started singing professionally at
A splendid time was had by 7 years old with his elder siblings Ziggy, Sharon and Cedella in The Melody Makers.
all. The original lineup was Stephen has garnered recognition as a solo artist for his Grammy-winning albums
Bubba Newton on bass, Pete Mind Control (dubbed the best Marley album in a generation by Entertainment Weekly),
Lavezzoli on drums, Mike Mind Control Acoustic and Revelation Part I: The Root of Life, while also receiving
Greene on rhythm guitar, and multiple Grammys as a producer – most notably for Damian “Jr. Gong” – Marley’s
Al Zilinsky on lead guitar. In massive crossover hit Welcome to Jamrock. The second installment of Marley’s
1993, Corey Dwyer and Rich Revelation album series, Revelation Part II: The Fruit of Life, was released in 2016
Friedman joined the band, on the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths International label. Whereas The Root of Life
with Corey on keyboards and offered a traditional roots-reggae album, The Fruit of Life emphasized the far-reaching
guitar, and Rich on guitar. impact Jamaican music has had on various genres – especially hip hop. Album guests
Both Rich and Corey also included Rick Ross, Pit Bull, DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Shaggy and more.
sang, joining Pete to give In 2018, Marley released a five-track EP, One Take: Acoustic Jams, which showcased
Crazy Fingers a three-part raw, deconstructed versions of his and his father’s original songs. He took that stripped-
vocal sound. Within a year down set on the road, performing for thousands during three North American tours,
of Rich and Corey’s arrival, before the pandemic hit in 2020.
the band began touring the Summer 2022 marks the triumphant return of Stephen’s North American “Babylon
state of Florida, opening for by Bus” Tour which includes a cavalcade of hand-picked support artists appearing
national acts, and writing at various venues across the country, including a sold-out tour kickoff at Red Rocks
original music which has been recorded on two CDs to date. By the mid ’90s, Amphitheater with Ziggy Marley and Ben Harper. Additional dates will include Skip
keyboardist Josh Foster began joining the band for special events and statewide shows, Marley, Kabaka Pyramid, Hirie and Mike Love, with more to be announced.
eventually relocating from Tampa to become a full member in 1998. Throughout
these years the band went through a series of brief changes in the lineup and settled
its longest lineup of Bubba, Pete, Corey, Rich, and Josh. The band continued to build
its fan base by playing weekly shows and expanding their repertoire.
Rich took some time off from 2007 to 2011 and Billy Gilmore joined the lineup. In
2014 the band lost Corey to a tragic car accident. It was a huge blow to the band yet even
through tough times the band has managed to continue. In 2015 Bubba left and the band
was forced to find replacements. Jarrett Aaronson joined the band on bass and in 2015 the
difficult search for a guitar player ended when Johnny Nichols joined the band. Jarrett left
in 2016 and Bubba Newton returned to complete the current lineup. Crazy Fingers is Rich,
Josh, Pete, Bubba, and Johnny, keeping the band alive and continuing to play on a weekly
basis throughout Florida.
The band has played over 5,000 live shows, allowing Crazy Fingers to sustain a devoted
following and a nationwide reputation as one of the premiere Grateful Dead tribute bands.
Bring your blankets and chairs out to the Abacoa amphitheater on Saturday, July 16 at
7:30 p.m. for a fun evening under the stars.
RogeR Dean StaDium RounD-up