| How RAW Began RAW Testimonials RAW Tax Status |
“What will a RAW Membership do for me?”… it’s a common enough question and certainly a fair one too. Perhaps the best way to answer that question is to rephrase it: “What can I do with a RAW Membership?”
The biggest single benefit to joining RAW is that you instantly become a member of the largest Reggae ‘family’ in the world. With your RAW Membership Database you will have an opportunity to connect with Reggae Artists, industry professionals, and Reggae fans from around the globe.
This can be an incredibly dynamic resource for you if you choose to use it to it’s potential! Many have, and they have benefited by doing so… to check some of their stories click on the RAW Testimonials link!
Because RAW Members come from all walks of life, we have developed different categories in which to describe them. This makes networking a lot easier. Where would you fit in?
- Performing Artists
- Agents and Managers
- Radio and Club Deejays
- Independent and Major Label Reps
- Writers and Editors of Trade and Fan Magazines
- Promoters and Club Owners
- Recording Companies and Merchandisers
- Record Pool Managers
- Vendors
- COMMITTED REGGAE FANS!
Another great benefit?
Discounts on a whole heap-a-‘ting! RAW members do their best to help out other RAW members when and where they can, and that includes helping you save money on a whole host of products and services!
- Books
- Festivals
- Music
- Performance Art
- Promotion
- Publications
- Shops
- Venues
- Multimedia
Anything else?
Anything else? You bet! RAW Members have exclusive access to merchandise, special offers, the opportunity to participate in on-going RAW Web-Polls, participation on the RAW E-Mail Forum, contact with people from around the world who share your enthusiasm for reggae music, an opportunity to favorably impact the future of reggae music, the opportunity to gain new friendships and valuable personal and professional contacts… and too much fun!
Frustrated by meager attendance at Reggae concerts and hit-or-miss service by Reggae Labels, Papa Pilgrim of Salt Lake City and Rastaman Nane’ formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan formed Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide in the Summer of 1992.
Nane’, a concert promoter and Pilgrim, a writer, are both Reggae radio deejays. Joining forces, they brought to fruition a seed planted some five years earlier by Inner Circle’s guitarist, Roger Lewis. Lewis, recognizing that there were committed Reggae enthusiasts all over the world, suggested to Papa Pilgrim that these enthusiasts link up to form a massive Reggae network. Such network would serve the best interests of the singers and players as well as the Reggae industry as a whole and act as a vehicle to move Reggae music to higher heights of popularity.
Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (R.A.W.) was created to increase public awareness and acceptance of Reggae music and to create more and better opportunities for those who make Reggae music possible: the singers and players of instruments, their agents and managers and promoters, their fans and everyone else participating in this unique art form.
Reggae music has existed for too long and is much too popular to be considered a fad. Those who know and love Reggae music know that it is truly the Beat of the Heart. By unifying the Reggae Community, Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide will create a solid and strengthened demand for widespread recognition.
Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide is an international network of Committed reggae Enthusiasts who have joined forces to spread the positive vibe of Reggae music. Daily we will move forward educating humankind about our music, always remembering the vision of One Love! and moving forward with a mission for R.A.W. to become the primary reference for the Reggae Industry!
There are a great many people who have benefited from their RAW Membership, and each have likely benefited in a unique and different way! Here are just a few examples of what RAW Members have had to say about RAW:
Click here for words from Dubwize (#1685).
Ras Adam (#1530) wrote: Someone at the (recent R.A.W.) Conference was saying, “What can R.A.W. do for you?” Nothing! But what can YOU use RAW to do for yourself? The sky’s the limit. Click here for the complete message.
Click here for words from Ambassador David (RAW #5).
“I think RAW is excellent… members are enthusiastic, supportive… I can’t say enough!”
Blessings,
J. Smith (RAW #1421)
Click here for words from Wendy Russel (RAW #124)
“I have greatly benefited from RAW membership and its networking connections. One example very dear to me was when I met Dr. Reggae through RAW and was able to perform in Israel. That was one of the best audiences I have ever performed for. It was very peaceful and irie. I don’t think that would have happened without RAW and I am grateful for all the benefits I have enjoyed over the years.”
One love,
Zema (RAW# 923)
Click here for words from John Reichle (RAW # 1681)
“I want to tell you that I’m really excited about the organization… I want to help spread the positive vibe of reggae music!”
Peace – Love – Unity,
M. Fernandez
Click here for words from Anna Fisher (RAW# 1224)
“Salt Lake City, UT December 21, 1998 — Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide (RAW) is pleased to announce that it has been approved as a charitable, tax exempt organization under IRS guideline 501(c)3. Thus, contributions and donations to RAW are now fully tax-deductible.”
Papa Pilgrim, co-founder, stresses that RAW has been and continues to be a grassroots, member-supported organization; however, as Pilgrim often says, RAW is not a money thing, but we do need to meet expenses.