Photographer: Fredrik Strömberg

Featuring Milele Roots and Duane Stephenson

Reggae music has never stopped evolving but for millions of people from around the world it’s still defined by the songs of Bob Marley and the Wailers. It’s been their heartbeat rhythms that have inspired so much of what’s followed since, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of the “one-drop” reggae sound.

The history of the band during Marley’s lifetime is well known. Just to recap, their music has sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. In England alone, they’ve notched up over twenty chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries. This was no accident. Apart from Marley, the Wailers have performed with international acts such as Sting, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, as well as reggae legends Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Burning Spear. Their most recent collaborators include Kenny Chesney, Eve, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. They’ve also completed innumerable tours over the years, playing to an estimated 24 million people across the globe, including groundbreaking performances in Africa and the Far East.

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MAINX24 IS A 24-HOUR LONG FESTIVAL CELEBRATING MAIN STREET AND THE SURROUNDING SOUTHSIDE, HELD EVERY DECEMBER SINCE 2007. The project has been a way to celebrate and showcase the burgeoning Southside. Mainx24 is organized completely by residents, merchants, and friends of the Southside community.

Behind Mainx24 is an audacious dream: make Chattanooga a 24-hour city. The annual event features programming all day long, from parades to music to poetry readings to chilli cook-offs. In the past, we’ve partnered with the Chattanooga Times Free Press to host a photography competition, and local schools participate in planning and implementation.

In its first year, Mainx24 was a project of CreateHere, a five year non-profit initiative based in the Southside. Today, it’s owned, beloved and organized completely by residents, merchants and friends of the Southside community.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Mainx24 is free and open to the public and has something for everyone. A schedule of events is available by early November on the Mainx24 website.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

The Mainx24 facebook page is a great place to connect with people, share ideas, and learn about opportunities to participate.

WANT TO RECREATE MAINX24 IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Here’s a Do-It-Yourself Guide.