Season 7 Bonus "Say a Little Prayer"

The Roots land podcast.

Stories that are.

Music to your ears.

I've got no time, but I've got.

Some time to in your story.

This fell from off my eyes.

Welcome, welcome.

Rootsland Republic.

Bonjour.

Buenos dias.

Canitois Wataguan.

Ruth lan Wataguan.

That's right.

Here we are once again broadcasting live and direct to over 80 different countries.

Can you believe that?

Wow.

That's awesome.

Talk about international.

Well, we only have one listener in Kazakhstan, but every listener counts.

We are unifying the people through reggae, taking a moment in this ever so hectic world to connect directly with our devoted listeners.

Yes, for the very first time, addressing just a few of the many questions, comments, concerns youve shared with us over the years, and we feel truly blessed for your support and devotion and curiosity.

Really, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And plus, we have some exciting news.

You gonna tell them how to vote for their award?

Yeah, I'm gonna sia.

I'm gonna tell them.

But you know what?

Can't sound too desperate here.

You know, the audience senses blood.

It's really no big deal.

But Rootsland's been chosen to be a finalist in the third annual Signal podcast awards.

You know, you guys are way ahead of the trend.

These awards recognize the very best in the industry, and we've been nominated in two categories for individual episodes, most of inspiring podcast, of course, and best indie podcast.

You know how I feel about being independent.

Fight the machine, right?

The episode that's being recognized is the prologue to season seven, ghetto people's song.

That was my take on the situation going on in the Middle east, the commonality between the turmoil going on in Gaza and the garrisons in Kingston.

And that episode was very personal.

So I'm happy the show was picked by the judges.

Oh, yeah.

That was a beautiful episode.

Your father would have been so proud.

Yeah.

And also being a finalist in the signal awards means we're eligible for the listeners Choice Awards.

That means.

That's right.

You're gonna have to vote for us.

You know, Rootsland is the Davey versus Goliath out there, so we're counting on you to cast as many votes as possible.

That's right, everyone.

We needed to vote in both categories.

The link is down below.

Best independent podcast and most inspiring podcast.

Yeah, that's right.

You can sign on through Google, Facebook, Twitter, or you know what, all three, we need all the resources we can tap into.

I know some of you have that secret gmail account out there.

You may have to sign onto that one and cast a vote under that name, too.

Henry, don't judge.

I'm not judging.

We just need the vote.

And remember, both categories, best indie and most inspiration.

And don't worry, we won't let it get to our heads.

I think it's already gotten to yours.

So just to let you know, Sia, there's a couple of messages that came in last minute, so you're gonna be hearing them the same time as the rest of the audiences.

Oh, Henry, you know I hate surprises.

Yeah, I know you don't like surprises.

I know, but hey, this is art.

Oh, please.

And since we are one of the most inspirational podcasts in the world, you know, we had to dig a little deeper for the show.

This is a letter sent in by one of our listeners, Ian, originally from what is now Zimbabwe, and since I was so moved by the letter, I asked if he can call in the voicemail and actually read it cause I wanted to hear it in his voice.

I thought it was important to its authenticity.

So here goes.

Dear Henry K.

I hope this letter finds you well.

My name is Ian, and my family fled from what used to be called Zimbabwe to South Africa when I was a child.

I've been an avid listener of your rootsland podcast since the beginning, and I felt compelled to reach out and express how deeply your show has impacted me.

Your stories about life in Jamaica have opened up my eyes to a world I knew little about.

The way you weave together music, history, and personal narratives is truly captivating, but it's your exploration of racism and classism in jamaican society that has struck a particularly resident chord with me.

As a white South African who grew up during the apartheid era, your stories have forced me to confront uncomfortable truths about my own past.

Listening to your podcast has been like holding up a mirror to my childhood, reflecting back the casual racism and sense of entitlement that I now recognize were deeply ingrained in me from a young age.

I'm ashamed to admit that as a child, I often mistreated our family's domestic help.

I didn't see them as full human beings with their own lives, dreams, and struggles.

Your stories about the complexities of class relations in Jamaica have made me revisit those memories with a new perspective, filling with me with regret and a desire to make amends.

Henry, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Your podcast has been instrumental in helping me come to terms with my past.

It's given me the courage to face my own prejudices and the motivation to actively work on becoming a better person.

Your storytelling has shown me that while we can't change the past, we can learn from it and use that knowledge to shape a more just and compassionate future.

So, inspired by your work, I've started volunteering at a local community centre that provides educational support for underprivileged kids.

It's a small step, but I hope it's the beginning of a journey to correct my past misdeeds and contribute positively to my community.

Your voice has breached continents and cultures, touching the life of this listener in ways you might never have imagined.

Keep spreading the love and wisdom through your words and stories.

You're making a difference, one listener at a time, with heartfelt gratitude.

Ian.

Whoa, Henry, that's incredible.

That's deep.

Yeah, that's pretty heavy, right, thea?

Yeah, we have a deep bench here.

We have a deep bench.

So I'd like to get your opinion on the letter.

Sia, as someone who's experienced racism and classism firsthand.

Absolutely.

I've always experienced racism because of my darker complexion.

Always felt like the lighter skin was superior, and my people made me feel that way.

So just listening to that was really deep.

It resonated with me.

And what you'd say to Ian if he was here right now, which, in a way, he is.

That I'm proud of him and that I'm happy that he's awoke.

You know, we're people.

One people.

Same blood run through our veins.

So true.

And, Ian, I want you to know, racism cut both ways.

When I started dating Henry, I got a lot of looks.

I mean, people even said things to me that I was like, how dare you?

Just because I'm dating someone with a different color skin.

Remember that message we got from your friend on New Year's Eve?

That one year, one of my friends even called up drunk New Year's Eve, saying the most disgusting things.

You know, just cause I'm dating a white guy.

And, Ian, you know what's always work as well.

As simple as it sounds, sometimes I just say a little prior and everything seems to be okay.

I love that.

Sia.

Say a little prayer.

I know that's what you're all about.

I know you truly believe that.

I guess I do, too.

Nice title for the episode, huh?

And Ian also let me throw in my two cent here.

For the past year or so, maybe a little longer, I've been following a young group on YouTube from South Africa, your homeland.

They're named Beko's manor.

A sister and two brothers in their early teens.

The youngest brother must be six or seven, but they are truly inspiring.

Part of a whole new generation of South Africans that you probably don't even know are out there.

So I'll put the link below.

Maybe you should check them out.

And I'll end the episode with one of their songs.

Their harmonies are beautiful.

And incidentally, they just reached quarterfinals in America's Got Talent, which is a real accomplishment for a young group from South Africa.

Let's move on to the next question coming in from Eric in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon.

Oregon.

I don't want to offend anybody.

Oregon.

Oregon.

Yeah.

Hi.

Big fan of the show, Henry, and really enjoy listening to it about all the different singers, the places, some of the music and all that.

But also just in terms of the production really seems very natural the way the other, the other people blend in and with the voices.

Would you ever be able to talk a little bit about the production process and how you make this?

When I first started listening, I was following the story with your friend Brian, and that seemed to taper off a little bit over time, and I was wondering, will you bring that back?

Curious to see how that all ended up and where that went.

So, Sia, let me ask you a question.

If youre really into a movie or a tv show, you love it.

Cant get enough of it.

Do you like those behind the scene extended cuts?

You know, where they give you an in depth look on how the movies made alternative endings.

The actors explain how they prepared for their roles and got into characters.

Yes, I do.

You do.

You like that kind of stuff?

Really?

Yes, I re.

Yeah, I like it.

I like all that info.

I like to learn about the shows I watch, see how it all, you know, comes together.

Not me.

Nah, that's not my thing.

I find that intriguing.

Personally, I have no interest in the type of film stock that the director chose for the shoot, how the stunts were coordinated.

I don't care how long it took the lead to put on their makeup or how they had to sit still for hours.

In fact, the worst thing I can find out is when an actor has a different accent from the one he uses in the movie.

Like when an Australian's playing an American.

See, and I find that fascinating.

Like, for example, if an english actor is speaking like an american, I find that fascinating.

Yeah, it figures.

You like that.

I can't stand it.

Yeah.

The minute I find out, I become obsessed with their accent.

Can't stop listening for it.

Well, I guess we're different.

That's why you're Henry and I'm me.

When I watch a movie, I just want to get completely lost in the story, in the action, in the adventure, the dialogue.

I want to suspend all my beliefs, even if its just for a little while, 30 minutes, an hour or two.

I never did understand the obsession with having to know the secrets behind the magicians tricks.

Why do we have to stop believing theres magic in the world?

I believe that part of our shows mystique, part of the appeal is that our listeners get to use their imagination.

They can get absorbed in the characters, the storylines, in the music.

I always thought that revealing too much information detracts from that experience.

So, Eric, I appreciate the question, but that's why, at least for now, I don't want to give too much away.

What I will say about the creative process without lifting back the curtain too far is that it is magical, surreal, a once in a lifetime experience.

Every time.

Like going back in time.

That's what makes the show credible, believable.

You know, honestly, the reason why roots land even exists is because of two long time and loyal friends and colleagues.

Adam Teacher Barnes, who not only plays Brian from Colorado, but becomes Brian from Colorado.

Oh yeah, he was great.

He captured the essence of Brian, really.

And Patrick Curly locks Gaynor, who lends his voice talents to many of the other characters.

Adams connection to Bryan is deep, and even though they never met, the two faced very similar personal and professional challenges in their lives.

Both die hard lifelong white reggae fans with a deep love, admiration and reverence for the music, both spectacular, one of a kind friggin reggae singers that tried breaking into an unforgiving industry.

And as far as Curly locks, you know, he grew up in the garrisons of Kingston, spent his life overcoming some of the worst violence and suffering that humans can possibly endure.

So the depth and understanding he always brings to whichever voice or character he tackles is authentic and unmatched.

This is as real as it gets.

These guys know this story by heart.

They live this struggle daily.

I promise you that this show does not work.

It would not be possible if I had to hire actors, teach people to learn scripts.

These feelings, these expressions, they come straight from the heart.

Moving on to the next part of the question concerning Brian and what Eric describes as the tapering off of his narrative.

In actuality, the closest thing to closure was the season five finale of redemption song, where I did say my final goodbyes and came to terms with Brians death on the last day of a solo road trip to Negril.

And after that episode, I received quite a few letters from people who were touched by the ending.

Many who also lost friends and had loved ones pass on way too young.

I did take into account there would be listeners like Eric who felt the narrative drifted away from Brian.

But once again, I was trying to keep Brian's story within the context, the timeline and boundaries of the Rootsland universe.

I didn't want to distract the listeners with too many details that occurred outside our life in Kingstone.

I stuck to the Brian I was familiar with, the one I knew.

That being said, ive come to realize that stories can be messy and incomplete.

They reflect life with all its complexity, ambiguity, the twists and the turns.

Sometimes theres no defined beginning or tidy little ending, no real winners or losers.

Just a 20 minutes summary.

Bullet points of joy and sorrow, of love and loss, of pride and passion.

But a great story can be like a great song.

And when it hits, you feel no pain.

And Eric, I think if you take another listen to the show, you'll find that Brian actually never really went anywhere.

His character just found another voice.

Mine.

And speaking of voices, there's one last voicemail I want to get to today as we're ahead.

Kind of running out of time here.

Is that really all the time?

We have it finished already.

That went quick.

Yes.

You know how people's attention spans are these days.

Minds start to wander, but there are still unanswered questions.

So we'll have to do this again sometime.

It wasn't so bad anyway.

During my years in music, I had the opportunity to work with countless artists and musicians.

I produced hundreds of singers and bands and songs, but by far my best production, my most timeless masterpiece was our beautiful daughter.

Well, actually, Sia, you get the co production credit.

You do some amazing work.

Anyway, just listen to the surprise message.

Hey, guys.

I guess you weren't expecting to hear from me.

Oh, my gosh.

That's my little baby.

Surprise.

Wow.

I'm speechless.

I just thought this would be a great time to remind you how much I love listening to the show.

And I really just wanted to let the audience know how authentic it is that what you hear are my parents to the core.

It's so real.

And these are more than just stories.

I guess I'm proof of that.

Proof of their love.

And mom, I'm really so proud of everything you've overcome.

You're my role model.

I love you both.

And I'll always cherish these stories.

I'll always cherish roots land.

This is my history.

The moment I wake up before I put on my makeup I say a little pray for you while combing my hair now and wondering why dress you wear now I say a little before you forever and ever you'll stay in my heart and I will love you together, together we'll never apart oh, how I love you forever, forever that's how it must be to live without you would only mean heartbreak for me.

I.

Run for the bastille while riding I think of a steer, I say a little pray for you.

At work I just take time and all through my coffee break time I say a little pray for you.

That's beautiful.

And Sia confirmed.

That's really our daughter, right?

It's our daughter.

It's really our daughter.

Okay.

Okay.

I just didn't want our audience thinking I was pulling the daughter card to get them to vote for our show.

That's right.

That would have been, you know.

That's right.

That would have been low.

Really.

Our daughter.

No pulling any cards to get your vote for me.