General Smiley w/ Lakandon, Moe, McPullish

Like last year, dancehall reggae pioneer General Smiley celebrates his birthday locally. Behind sing-song bars, Michigan & Smiley – Anthony Fairclough and Erroll Bennett, respectively – burst onto the iconic Studio One imprint in the late Seventies. Debut single and LP Rub a Dub Style became synonymous with the Jamaican scene and smash hit “Diseases” remains top ranking. A 2012 collaboration with local producer McPullish and Austin’s Lakandon as his current backing band means Smiley’s now a Lone Star general. – Thomas Fawcett