Rising Lion brings uplifting reggae message to Taos

Singer-songwriter Danny Dred says he picked up his first guitar at the age of 6. "Obviously, I couldn't play it back then," he laughed, "though I tried."

At the age of 11 he acquired his first electric guitar, and by high school was playing in neighborhood bands. When he was in his late teens, Dred discovered reggae music and artists like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. It was a transformative experience.

"At that age you're still searching for things. It seemed to me that what they had in their hearts and what they were saying was linked to me, and how I felt. There was no turning back after that," said Dred who remembers being particularly struck by the unique culture of these black musicians. "I saw all the commonalities ... I didn't know there was a name ... but I knew this is my culture."

Asked to clarify what about reggae music attracted his attention, Dred remarked, "The message is peace and love and unity and harmony. And the music is so to the point in saying that." He added, "It's simple and pure and real."

For the past 18 years, Rising Lion has toured the United States and abroad, a favorite at festivals and concert series such as The Legends of Rasta Reggae tour, The New England Reggae Fest, The Annual Bob Marley Reggae Festival, Mountain Town Stages Concert Series and the Golden Gate Park Reggae Festival.

The band has released three full length albums: "New Day" (1998/Ruff Stuff Records), "Don't Lose Yourself" (2001/RPH/Ruff Stuff Records), "American Dread" (2008/Lion Productions) and has appeared on several compilation albums with artists Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, George Clinton, Gov't Mule, Fats Waller, Lead Belly, Glenn Washington, Frankie Paul, Yami Bolo and many others.

Dred said that among the band's many influences, he also loves country music and reggae music because they both tell stories about common experiences.

"We see things and say things that are real to people," Dred noted. As a songwriter he draws from personal experiences or those of people close to him. The magic of this, Dred explained, is that the songs touch people, on a personal level. To illustrate, he shared a story of a song he wrote when he was going through his divorce. He said he was later approached by a man at one of his concerts who thanked him for that particular song, which he said helped him to make it through his own divorce. Stories like that are what makes music-making magical, and worthwhile, for Dred. He also believes music is a force for societal change.

"Music is like a soap box, or a catalyst for socio-economic change, for pushing ideas out," Dred commented. "I put the message out there."

His newest album due to be released this year is titled "Changes." Dred explained that the title refers both to personal changes he went through in his life, and the socio-economic climate of the country.

"The economics in the country started to fail, and people went through a lot of changes. This is really going to define who we are, and what we are. It's going to take everything we can muster to get out of this."

Dred wrote the song "Changes" to open up "horizons in my mind and abilities." Another song from the album, called "Feeling Irie" refers to feeling good.

"I wrote ‘Feeling Irie' about a guy having a day off of work, and having a good time with that day. He hasn't had a day off for a long time, and he has some time for himself that he can explore. And he's having a great day."

Dred said he writes about serious issues, but also composes light-hearted songs.

"I know to write some light music, too. You don't have to have some big serious thing happening all the time - your mind, heart, spirit needs both."

But, whether serious or playful, Rising Lion's music is aimed to help others to soar.

"When you're given certain talents and intelligence you have to use it for the upliftment of people," Dred said. "I strongly believe in that. In every way that I can right now I'm trying to do that. Music is the vehicle."

Tickets are $5, free for children. KTAOS is located at 9 State Road 150, El Prado. For more information on Rising Lion's show, call the KTAOS Solar Center at (575) 758-5826.