Rockin’ the Region with the Wailers

Submitted

The Wailers

There are many bands that replace their lead singer, but to be the lead singer of The Wailers where the late, great Bob Marley stood is really something special. I don’t need to introduce you to Bob Marley because his music put reggae music on the global musical map, selling a staggering 250 million albums worldwide. I will introduce you to Dwayne “Danglin” Anglin, 34 years old, who is the current lead singer of The Wailers, and they perform Friday night at the Pickle Barrel Nightclub in Killington.

Anglin started with the group in February 2010. He was discovered because he put out the single “Excuse Me Miss” that was selling well and got a lot of air play in Jamaica. Anglin was contacted by the Wailers’ management and was asked if he’d like to be the lead singer. Since the band leader is Aston “Family Man” Barrett, an original member of The Wailers, Anglin was very excited and really wanted to be a part of it. He said it’s a dream come true.

Prior to starting a music career, Dwayne Anglin was in the military. “Music is kind of one of those things that just became a part of my life,” he says. Even before his professional music career, he was always a lover of music. His musical influences, besides his biggest one in Bob and the Wailers include: Maxi Priest, James Brown, D’Angelo, Mick Jagger and Bruno Mars. “There are so many different people that I listen to. I just love music and love all different genres. My roots are in reggae music, being born and raised in Jamaica,” Anglin explains.

The Wailers play about 200 shows a year, performing nine months a year. Anglin has played some iconic rooms like the Apollo Theater, where he likes playing because of it’s rich musical history. “Every city has it’s own identity and we just appreciate all the fans. I just love performing for them. And now we see some familiar faces in those cities, people who are satisfied with what they paid to see.” He also been able to perform with some of his idols like Lauryn Hill and Maxi Priest and he got to perform on the same stage with both of them at the same time. Joining them was one of Bob Marley’s sons, Kymani Marley. That was in December at “ONE LOVE!” a celebration to mark the 35th anniversary of the Bob Marley and the Wailers’ debut at the Apollo Theater in New York City. That was a huge highlight in his life for Anglin, who says, “I have mad respect for them. It’s always exciting to perform with accomplished people. I’ve been on stage with Grammy winners too. It’s a great feeling to perform and communicate with them.”

Anglin says that he and Bob Marley are part of the same mission. “His mission was to spread love and positive vibes across the globe through his music. That is predominately what reggae music is and intended for: unity, love and peace among all people. That is a mission I like to continue to be a part of. The mission is no different now as it was then. the music might be a little different but the message shouldn’t. People should be one with themselves and one with their surroundings and respect others. Just like his song says, ‘One Love! One Heart! Let’s get together and feel all right.’”

What Anglin loves best about performing is interaction. “I like how much people are affected by the message in the music, how appreciative they are. To be able to gather with other fans of music to celebrate the music. Some people drive six hours to come to our show and then drive another six hours to the next one. You know their faces, we’ve seen them on cruises. It’s the same people and it’s really really great they put that much effort into coming to our performances. We love giving the Wailer’s fans opportunities to get together. That’s why we exist to give them the opportunity to celebrate the music with other fans.”

Dwayne Anglin ends with a message: “Be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. One love. Continue to listen to the message in the music. If you’re a part of the solution, continue to do that. Inspire people to do justice for others and to themselves.”