Time is what you make of it and last weekend Bunny Rugs, the lead singer of 10-time Grammy nominated band Third World, had an exciting time with friends and fans promoting his new solo album appropriately called, Time (preview). Indeed, Bunny made great use of time with a seemingly endless series of scheduled radio interviews from Friday to early Sunday morning capped by a meet & greet at VP Records retail store. Despite the packed media schedule, the eager excitement of reggae fans both new and old prove Time is really on Bunny's side.
|
Eggman, H-Love and Bunny
The weekend kicked off with Bunny Rugs passing through a live remote hosted by his good friend Jamusa of WAVS 1170 radio fame. After a number of radio call in's to radio outside South Florida, Bunny joined Jorge Rodriguez on sofloradio.com for the Byron Eggers Show with the Egg Man and H-Love. A Caribbean themed variety talk show covering politics, culture, and reggae music also heard locally on Powertalk 1420 and streamed on Live365.com, Bunny was the theme of the show and covered a lot of ground, geographically and musically as well. Time was played from beginning to end with everyone vibing to the album and sharing personal stories drawn out by the music including Bunny Rugs early days in the business, memories of Bob Marley and reflections on Rastafari as well as Marcus Garvey.
|
Flagga, Bunny Rugs
Saturday got rolling at South Florida's serious jazz station, WDNA, in Coral Gables for the Reggae Ride with Howard 'Flagga' Duperly, one of the industry’s most knowledgeable personalities. Flagga philosophy on the Reggae Ride focuses on "Reggae the way it ought to be, and music you don’t hear on the average station – if ever". Here, the conversation delved into Third World's early days with Bunny acknowledging Third World as his closest musical family of all time and Flagga celebrating the fact that Third World will be celebrating 40 years in 2013. The conversation could have lasted even longer but Bunny was expected at the VP meet & greet so he thanked Flagga and the fans and invited everyone down to Miramar.
|
Bunny Rugs, Bigga Boss
At the VP retails store in Miramar, Bigga Boss and Jah Bungie had the place warmed up broadcasting their 'Saturday Vibes' show via live remote on WAVS when Bunny arrived at 3 PM that afternoon. The party atmosphere was buzzing thanks to special friends the crucial support of VP management, sales and distribution staff like Pat Chin (aka Miss Pat and the "P" in VP Records) and Howie Chung the retail space was transformed into a party space where fans and media mingled with Bunny for hours. And Bunny made sure every fan who came out went home with all the music, photos and face time they could hold. Big up the VP South Florida team including: Howie Chung, Natasha Thomas, Lloyd Campbell and Lorna Darby. Bunny had a special shout out to Miss Pat:
|
Howie Chung, Bunny Rugs, Miss P and Lorna at VP
"I would like to send a very special thanks to Miss P' at VP Records for her life long contribution to the reggae music industry and to VP records and the staff for giving me so much love at the meet & greet last week end. VP Records & VPAL a true reggae family. Thanks again."
|
Bunny and Tanto at HOT 105
Warmed up by the energy of the meet and greet, Bunny arrived at Miami's HOT 105 (home of Tom Joyner and Micheal Baisden shows) for Reggae Runnins hosted by Tanto Irie who gave a one-hour spotlight to Bunny's album. It was a special listening party in which the music did the talking with Bunny and Tanto dropping comments and stories whenever the moment hit them. Bunny also made sure to address the rumour that making a solo album suggests he is leaving Third World. "The album Time is an extension of Third World," Bunny would later say, "Just like me. There is no Bunny Rugs without Third World. I am not going anywhere without my Third World family".
|
Rich Davis and Bunny Rugs on Sounds of the Caribbean
The party continued with two hours on WLRN, commercial free radio on South Florida's 'Sounds of the Caribbean' program heard on the National Public Radio station hosted by 'The Man Inside Your Radio', Rich Davis. Rich and Bunny treated listeners to an in depth journey about the lyrics, producers and musicians involved in the making of the music. Rugs even talked about how the music reflects his philosophy inspired by truth and rights and one love. By the time early Sunday morning came around every song got its due.
For those who didn't have the chance to see Bunny Rugs this past weekend or hear him on the radio, take some time to listen to the new album. It's available online and in stores courtesy of VPAL, VP's independent label group. Besides, his message is captured in the music. With the new album, Bunny Rugs is always ready to make time for everyone.
"Last weekend in South Florida was a media high for me," Bunny said recently. "I enjoyed every minute on the radio with Tanto Irie, Sir Rockwell, Jamusa, Rich Davis, Flagga, Eddy Edwards, the Egg Man, H-Love and the Saturday Vibes crew. Thanks to each and everyone of dem. To all the fans thanks for your kind words and your support for all these years. You all have been giving the new songs for the album positive vibrations. God Bless."
|
