Papa Pilgrim was one of the best citizens of this world, a man with a good vibe who loved reggae music. On a very cold and grim winter night, about 1992 I think, Inner Circle was on tour in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reggae natty was far away from Kingston home and tired after playing the Zephyr Club for hours. I was dreaming of some ital stew with plantains and dumplings, while walking down a street full of snow. All of a sudden, natty with gray beard hail up, One Love! The man dem hungry? The natty was Papa Pilgrim, and he and I reasoned for many hours that night - and out of this, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (R.A.W.) was born. "Wouldn't it be a good idea if reggae fans could help out musicians everywhere they go, no matter how far away?" It was a very spiritual night. He had a love and belief that this music has something powerful and that everybody - even the President - should listen to this message: a message that touches you and makes you want to go out and do good things. That's what we imagined that night. Still to this day, people write and email me or come and hail me up to mention R.A.W. - people in the U.S., Europe, Africa - from all over and from all generations. Not millions, but hundreds and thousands of people have.
The organization that sprang from that night in Utah, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, now has almost a thousand members in 55 countries. The motto is Forward the Reggae Vibe! Papa Pilgrim died while on vacation with his companion of many years, Wendi Watson, in Aberdeen, Scotland on October 5, 2003. Ah, my brother Papa Pilgrim, a true reggae soldier, who loved the reggae music and placed it higher, you will be missed.
If you would like to join Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide and help Forward the Reggae Vibe, whether you are a fan, musician or 'in the business,' contact: 352-264-7930 or visit www.reggaeambassadors.org or email.