Island Rhythm

Island Rhythm The Island Rhythm signifies the vibe in us all. Our own distinct style as we groove to our own song within us. Capturing the spirit of One Love.

Peace be the journey.

Some people make music. Some people leave a little more light in the world than they found.Dolly Parton did both.She cam...
08/25/2026

Some people make music. Some people leave a little more light in the world than they found.

Dolly Parton did both.

She came out of the Tennessee mountains with very little except a gift for telling stories, and somehow never forgot where she came from. She wrote songs that became part of our lives, made generations laugh, gave millions of kids their first books, and proved you could be wildly successful without becoming hard.

The rhinestones were fun. The voice was unmistakable. But I think what people will remember most is the heart underneath all of it.

There will never be another Dolly.

Rest easy, beautiful soul. ❤️

Peace be the journey.

There’s something about dropping the needle on a record that’s been spinning for almost 50 years.Culture’s Two Sevens Cl...
08/24/2026

There’s something about dropping the needle on a record that’s been spinning for almost 50 years.

Culture’s Two Sevens Clash. Released in 1977, and still one of those records that explains roots reggae better than I ever could.

A little crackle, a little wear, exactly how it should be.

What’s one record you’ll never get tired of hearing?

Peace be the journey...

08/21/2026

Dan Kelly Music tonight Island Root Kava Bar Satellite Beach. It’s what happening.

08/13/2026

Solid group of people check out their music wherever you get your streaming from.

08/13/2026

It is always amazing to see artist do what they love.

This weekends adventures: Reggae on the Rock.Island Rhythm won’t have a booth this time. I’ll just be walking around, ch...
08/08/2026

This weekends adventures: Reggae on the Rock.

Island Rhythm won’t have a booth this time. I’ll just be walking around, checking out an amazing lineup, catching some music and enjoying the weekend.

If you see me, say hi. Seriously.

I’m bringing a backpack full of Island Rhythm T-shirts to give away, so don’t be a stranger. You might walk away with a shirt.

See you on the island. 🌴

Peace be the journey.

08/04/2026

People ask me what it’s like to receive a transplant.

I still don’t know how to answer that.

I almost didn’t publish these. Some things feel too personal, and some moments refuse to fit inside words.

These two essays are the closest I’ve come.

The Hardest Letter. Parts One and Two.

Peace be the journey...

August 1 | Emancipation DaySome days in reggae history aren’t about an album release or a birthday. They’re about unders...
08/01/2026

August 1 | Emancipation Day

Some days in reggae history aren’t about an album release or a birthday. They’re about understanding why the music exists in the first place.

August 1 marks Emancipation Day across much of the Caribbean, remembering the beginning of the end of slavery in the British Empire. You can’t separate that history from reggae. The music didn’t appear out of nowhere. It grew from struggle, faith, resilience, and the belief that tomorrow could be better than today.

That’s why roots reggae has always felt different to me. Underneath the bass line and the one drop is a conversation about freedom, identity, justice, and hope. Those themes are just as relevant today as they were when the first records came out of Kingston.

If you’ve got a little time today, pull out a Burning Spear record. Put on some Culture. Spin Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, or The Gladiators. Don’t just hear the music. Listen to what they’re trying to tell us.

History gave reggae its voice. Reggae keeps telling the story.

Peace be the journey...

I finally dusted off the keyboard.I’ve been spending some of my downtime writing again, and much of it has been going in...
07/31/2026

I finally dusted off the keyboard.

I’ve been spending some of my downtime writing again, and much of it has been going into my second manuscript, Roadhouse Rasta.

My Substack already has a few essays, and I’ll be adding more as I continue working on the manuscript.

The Bar Never Changed is a revisit of one of the first Dive Bar Chronicles I wrote back in 2012. Looking at it through today’s eyes, I realized I was never really writing about dive bars. I was writing about the people, the conversations, the miles between destinations, and a younger version of myself trying to make sense of the world.

If you’d like a glimpse into Roadhouse Rasta as it comes together, I’d be honored to have you along for the journey.

Peace be the journey.

Link in the comments.

07/15/2026

Surgical follow-up day.

Grateful for another sunrise, a second chance, and everyone who helped me get here.

Healing isn’t about getting back to who I was—it’s about discovering who I get to become.

One day at a time.

❤️ Donate Life

Peace be the journey…

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Port Orange, FL
32123, 32127-32129

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