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ABOUT US

The Reggae world is a small world. We are a part of something special. We are musical, health conscious, socially aware, enjoy natural products and lifestyles, and we are travelers. We are indeed a Family. In 1994 I started the Reggae Business Association to create a proactive reggae industry networking association. Coincidentally, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (R.A.W.) organization started doing the same thing at the same time but on a much larger level, so I turned over my membership list to R.A.W., and became a R.A.W. member (#111) and the Reggae Business Association became a company that specialized in promotions, publicity and marketing. My background is in magazine publishing, so I produced festival programs for awhile and then ultimately, the Reggae Festival Guide magazine. I started the magazine in 1995 with my friend Wanda Whitaker. When I am not working on the Guides (in the Spring I publish a Blues Festival Guide as well as a Reggae Festival Guide), I operate a full-service publicity agency. Most of my clients are festival promoters or labels. Thanks for taking the time to check out my Web site, and I hope that you find it useful for your entertainment planning. Be sure to check back often for festival updates!
 
 
 

Anthony 'The PostmOn' Postman-Editor: As a regular editorial contributor to the annual Reggae Festival Guide for years, I am delighted to now play a more active role as editor. I am also the host of REGGAE Fi'REAL and WORLD SPINS on KUNR 88.7 FM Reno, Nevada (I've been DJing for over a decade, and on the radio for six years). My roles as a bandleader and music instructor have been perfect training grounds for the fast-paced environment of magazine production which involves organizing, networking, communicating and negotiating. Currently, I see about 30 guitar students a week, play with the Reno, NV-based Ska band Keyser Soze, and am working on developing my own musical and sound production company, PostmOn Productions. I am very excited to be on board in this extended capacity and my doors are now open for submissions for the Guide, so send me your ideas for articles!
 
 
 

Kristine Shaff-Chief Executive Advisor: Kristine is President of the Board for RBA Publishing, and on both of our Festival Guides she has the role of CEA - Chief Executive Advisor - which is just our fancy-schmansy way of saying "chief cook and bottle washer," and has been part of things from day one. She is active in publishing and music, never an artist but always an enthusiast and consummate fan. Whether exploring business trends and analyzing strategies, working the door, driving the band to the next gig, or finalizing editorial late at night on deadline, she's committed to movin' the music forward every time. She brings her extensive background in social psychology and organizational development to building success for RBA Publishing. Peace.
 
 
 

Amy Shapas-Advertising Sales: Greetings from Santa Cruz, CA! I caught the music bug when I lived up in Lake Tahoe in 1997 when I went to a show during a particularly fierce snowstorm and I met Kaati. We started chatting and she asked if I'd be interested in sticking up posters to get in for free to Renegade Production's shows. I soon was in the office sending off press releases, taking ticket orders and organizing promo packets as well as working at the shows doing volunteer coordinating and hospitality. After learning so much with this grassroots company, I set my sights on Santa Cruz to finish school at the University of California, Santa Cruz. While in school I continued to work in the industry, which I had come to love, working with other festival and club promoters throughout California, plus selling advertising and helping with production of the Reggae Festival Guide and Blues Festival Guide. After graduating from UCSC I started my own publicity company called So You Can (check out www.soyoucan.com), bringing calm to the creative chaos of artist's and promoter's lives. I take care of all the details so you can do what you do best - book shows, plan events, record new music, start new projects. Amy is also the Production Assistant to Doris Kalin producing the website each year.
 
 
 

Laura Haykel-Advertising Sales: Blessings & Peace...After talking my way backstage at a Ziggi Marley show and seeing all of the things that were going on, I decided that I wanted to get in on the action. I studied music business management and started to seek work within the industry. My first project started over 7 years ago when I was hired to sell print advertising for the Reggae and Blues Festival Guide magazines. Becoming a part of that magazine was a blessing and served as vehicle for me in my personal life and career. I never could have imagined the people I would meet and the doors that would open because of my involvement with RBA Publishing. I moved to NYC for 3 years and got involved in freelance television and film production. I worked with companies like MTV, CBS, VH1, & AOL.com on such live events as the MTV Video Music Awards, The Apollo Theatre's 70th Anniversary special, the World Stunt Awards and The Biz. I also became immersed in the West African dance scene studying mainly Sabar from Senegal. This became a great release for me and a wonderful way to balance the stress of living and working in a city like NY. I also did some tour management and artist development as well. During the summer of 2005 I managed my first tours with the Easy Star All Stars who perform Dub Side of the Moon & Radiodread. After working on several projects since I moved again out of the city and back upstate... Currently I am building a sales & consulting business and seeking new ways to utilize my skills and gifts to better serve humanity & the universe. Give thanks for lifes continued blessings and lessons...they offer me more and more opportunities to grow and realize my dreams...its all in process!
 
 
 

Flow Mariona-Ad Coordinator: As the Ad Coordinator, I make sure our advertisers get what they ask for, and I'm the liason between the sales and production departments. As a music fan, this is a perfect position for me as we get to sample new music constantly and interact with artists. I moved to Reno from Argentina to reunite with my boyfriend who I met while here on a ski trip a few years ago and we recently got married. I have a degree in industrial graphic design. My other hobbies are painting and swimming.
 
 
 

Doris Kalin-Design & Production: My career as a Graphic Designer started in 1982 with an apprenticeship at the School of Arts in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1989 I added a computer to my trade tools and was amazed at how it opened up the design possibilities. That same year, I met Kaati when I started to work with her at a publishing company. Three years later I started my own graphic design studio and have since worked for Kaati in the publication of her two magazines as well as various music related projects. The last few weeks of magazine production typically takes place at my studio. During this crunch time, tempers can flare, nerves get frayed, and sleep is sparse. But in the end it's great teamwork and loads of fun that makes the magazine what it is. I wouldn't change a thing.
 
 
 

Robbin Stull-Accounting: I have been working with Kaati for over 20 years on various projects as her bookkeeper and business consultant. We have a great deal of fun (and frustration) over computers and new systems and it has always been my pleasure to work with her. My husband Dave and myself have worked many reggae shows together and enjoy the camping and music, but the best part has been meeting all of the people. Our children are grown and we now take great pleasure in our grandchildren. Gardening, yoga, cooking, kids, and computers are my stress relief. We run a bookkeeping business, Balancing Act, Inc. in Reno, NV and have been helping many different types of businesses over the 25 years of service. We try to run a tight ship but at publishing time important details can fall through the cracks, so please contact either Kaati or myself for any questions or problems concerning bookkeeping. Enjoy the festivals!
 
 
 

Dorie Starich-Accounting Assistant: Dorie Starich-Accounting Assistant: Dorie Starich-Accounting Assistant: Dorie handles accounts receivables, streamlines our billing system and solves billing questions on the spot. Robbin Stull and Dorie make a great team as Robbin has been teaching Dorie the ropes in our accounting department this past year. She lives in Fernley, Nevada with her husband and two young children. Dorie grew up in Grass Valley, California where she learned to love camping, hiking, gardening and playing in the beautiful Yuba River. While working, being a stay-at-home mom, and everything else in between, she knows how to make the most of her time and prioritize what's most important. Dorie loves what she does and is looking forward to many great years ahead with this happy family that is RBA Publishing.
 
 
 

Stephanie Bravo- Myspace.com/reggaefestivalguide.com Editor: Music has always been her passion! Even as a young child, growing up in Oakland, CA, when children her age were listening to nursery rhymes, Stephanie was playing 45s on her record player and listening to the radio. While a sophomore in high school, she became a volunteer at KZFR 90.1FM Community Radio in Chico, CA and began hosting her own weekly R&B radio show, a show she hosted for nearly 10 years (1993-2002). KZFR offered a diverse mix of musical programming, but she had become especially fascinated with learning more about reggae. Stephanie introduced herself to the reggae radio DJs and began listening to their shows. It was during this time that she discovered her love of reggae music. She started building her own reggae music collection and was able to host her own reggae shows when one of the regular reggae DJs was not available. Stephanie met Kaati back when Renegade Productions used to book reggae shows in Chico. She enjoys networking on myspace and loves meeting others that share her creative spirit, whether it be playing, writing or sharing music. Stephanie has a BA degree in Media Arts (Radio, TV & Film Studies) from CSU, Chico, and while she is no longer on the airwaves, her goal continues to be to share the music she loves with the masses!
 
 
 

Kristine Cummins-Webmaster: Hi Reggae Fans! Please don't hesitate to email me at the address below with any errors, comments and/or suggestions regarding this website. Feedback helps me help you. Anyway, just a bit about me... when companies were just starting to think about their own Web presence in 1998, I contracted for Microsoft producing hundreds of Web pages and banner ads for San Francisco, Bay Area merchants. A few years later, I doubled as a Web and Print Marketing Designer for an e-commerce company, in Silicon Valley producing Web pages to designing billboards. All the while, I have been producing marketing materials and websites independently since 1992 as "Kristine Cummins Design" (www.KristineCummins.com). I am also a fine artist with a focus on "Painting the Essence of People" through watercolors (www.Kreations.net).

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