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Reggae live meets Rugby League in Jacksonville classic
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King Eddie and the Pili Pili are a perfect fit for the international Rugby League match November 14.
From the first chords and Jamaican vocal tonality, reggae insists a music lover move her body. Listen to King Eddie and the Pili Pili, and you’ll see how it works. Jacksonville gets a double treat on November 14 when this high profile band plays pregame at 2 p.m. at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida. The group’s music is positively tactile—the sound touches your body in a tangible way. And once the music goes quiet, the action heats up on the field with an international Rugby League match between the United States and Jamaica.
The special event is a result of efforts by the Baron’s Brewing Jacksonville Axemen in partnership with the American National Rugby League and the Jamaica Rugby League Association. Axemen coach Spinner Howland—“Spinner” to his friends—said, “[T]he best athletes from each country take the field to do battle under their nation’s flag.” The U.S. will be represented by The USA Tomahawks.
The Axemen made it all the way this season to the ANRL Grand Final, falling despite a stout effort facing the New York Knights. Spinner’s team is known in Jacksonville for community involvement, family-friendly pricing and dedication to the sport of Rugby League. The team enjoyed an international spotlight previously when the South Sydney Rabbitohs, partly owned by award-winning actor Russell Crowe, faced the Leeds Rhinos in Jacksonville for an international match and celebration of Australia Day. This was a clash admired ‘round the world.
King Eddie and the Pili Pili will give fans a taste of Jamaica melded with America in the tunes they serve up to eager fans. The group’s MySpace page lists a number of upcoming appearances throughout the Southeast in the near future. The term ‘Pili Pili’ comes from the Swahili word for hot sauce. The group even does an annual King Eddie cruise drawing 300 fans. Pili Pili is a familiar at the Panama Bay Club and on the local concert circuit performing on the same bill with the Crusaders, Miles Davis, Spyra Gyra, Branford Marsalis and Third World. King Eddie appeared in the film ‘Illegally Yours’ with Rob Lowe. The group is wildly popular in Jacksonville, appearing at numerous venues.
The international rugby league event promises spectacular music and a mind-riveting battle of athletes. Often at these events celebrities have been spotted—in the past golfer Greg Norman, Dennis Rodman and the American Chopper team have all been part of the activities at games hosted or played by the Jacksonville Axemen. If you like contact sports, Rugby League is your nirvana. If you like reggae, Pili Pili is the group to seek.
One thing’s for sure—Reggae will meet Rugby League November 14 and both music lovers and sports fans are guaranteed an unforgettable experience at a family-friendly price. It's win-win regardless of the team that triumphs.
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