“Destination Paradise”: the Pato Banton interview

What most folks know about Pato Banton is that he is a renowned international reggae star whose performing and recording career spans decades. But those who have followed him closely in recent years know that the charismatic artist know has now reinvented himself. Pato has become one of the world’s leading outreach ministers for the Urantia Revelation, even while remaining a music producer and performer with a huge following.

I first saw Pato perform at the international Urantia conference in 1999 in Vancouver. I started to follow him after he joined forces with Mystic Roots Band (voted top Reggae Band by the Los Angeles Music Awards). They toured extensively and recorded the “Positive Vibrations” album. I once saw them in Oklahoma City, where even there he filled a large auditorium. This was followed in 2008 with “Destination Paradise,” perhaps his best album—and one that reflects the increasingly strong influence of the Urantia Book on his life and art. (You can get a free download of this album here.)

Pato and Mystic Roots eventually went their separate ways. During this crucial point of transition Pato was approached by Antoinette (“Roots Dawtah”) Hall. According to Pato’s website, Antoinette “persuaded Pato that it was time for him to have his own band again, whose only agenda would be to support Pato’s ‘mission to Spread The Good News’ across all 50 states of America. Within four weeks The Now Generation band was formed and the ‘mission’ embarked upon.”

Before long, Antoinette and Pato were married, and this dynamo couple began an unprecedented new phase of Urantia Book ministry and outreach.

I was delighted talk to both of them during our interview on February 15, 2015, during which time we also prayed together. Aside from being wowed by their numerous outreach activities, we also learn in this interview just how much Pato has been influenced by the “continuing Urantia Revelation”—the Teaching Mission and beyond.