Above, you can view all the videos from the Non Returning Status playlist on YouTube. The Non Returning Status documentary consists of a series of archival footage, viral videos, vintage concert performances, interviews, and abstract audio/visual clips, all of which are available on the web.

For more videos by Brass Knuckles Productions on YouTube, check out this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/brassknuxfilms

The introductory video montage to “Non Returning Status,” the documentary/multimedia experience about reggae band, the Natti Love Joys.. Video also available on Dailymotion.

A brief teaser for the Non Returning Status website with narration by Jah-T. Video also available on Dailymotion right here.

The Non Returning Status documentary consists of a series of archival footage, viral videos, vintage concert performances, interviews, and abstract audio/visual clips, all of which are available online. Above, you can view all the videos from the Non Returning Status playlist on Dailymotion, or you may click here to watch the videos on the Dailymotion website directly.

For more videos by Brass Knuckles Productions on Dailymotion, check out this URL:
http://www.dailymotion.com/brassknuxfilms

Photojournalist and author George Washington Rogers, IV spent over three years creating what would come to be known as Non Returning Status, a historical and philosophical look at the Natti Love Joys. Over this period of time, Rogers observed, traveled and even lived with the Natti Love Joys in order to fully study the band’s lifestyle and understand exactly who they are and what they belief. There are currently over 1,500 pictures documenting the making of Non Returning Status, all of which have been posted online. Through a series of Flickr photo galleries, you will be able to experience a taste of what the photographer and author experienced firsthand.

Click here to view the Non Returning Status Collection on Flickr.

Be sure to check out more photo galleries in the “Pictures” section.

Non Returning Status/Brass Knuckles Productions

Please use the addresses below to contact the creators of this website for more information about Non Returning Status and Brass Knuckles Productions.

Webmaster: nonreturningstatus[at]brassknuxfilms.com
Publicity: publicity[at]brassknuxfilms.com
George Rogers, Author & Filmmaker: wash[at]brassknuxfilms.com
Brian Greer, Filmmaker: brian[at]brassknuxfilms.com

You can also write to us at:

Brass Knuckles Productions
P.O. Box 24001
Knoxville, TN 37933-2001

www.brassknuxfilms.com

Natti Love Joys Contact Information

For more information about the Natti Love Joys and Camp Reggae:

Natti Love Joys: nattilove[at]gmail.com

Camp Reggae Festival & Camping Grounds
204 Calvender Rd.
Sassafrass Ridge
Turtle Town, TN 37391
USA

www.campreggae.net

Non Returning Status: A Biographical Journey in Pictures
• Purchase the book from Blurb
• Preview the first 15 pages of the book [Flash]
• Download extended PDF preview of book [PDF - 25.83 MB]

“Everything in the world arises, changes and perishes; nothing remains constant for even a single moment.”

Non-Returning Status.
The Supreme Endeavor.
The highest desire to attain perfect illumination. No longer bound by earth’s undulating tide of birth and death, rebirth is no longer sought.
To overcome pain, sorrow, greed, attachment, desire.
Nobly seeking the narrow path by prayer, meditation and deep thought.
Never to return again.

Non-Returning Status.
Nirvana.
Enlightenment.
Peace.
Om.
Amen.

To accompany the release of the Non Returning Status photo journal, Brass Knuckles Productions has released a series of video clips documenting both the creation of the book and the history of the Natti Love Joys. Along with original footage shot by author George Rogers, the documentary also consists of archival clips of both Jah-T and Marla before they formed the Natti Love Joys, a series of abstract/viral videos that capture the essence of the material, interviews with Jah-T about his Buddhist philosophy, and of course, live performances by the band.

In order to make Non Returning Status a complete multimedia experience, these short video clips were produced and added to the internet during 2008. This website was launched in January of 2009 when the remaining video clips were added to the web to complete the documentary. The video clips are available to view online.

This documentary was compiled and executive produced by George Rogers and Brian Greer. All archival footage used with the permission and blessing of the Natti Love Joys. Original footage was shot by George Rogers. All post-production and editing was done by Brian Greer. Non Returning Status is a presentation of Brass Knuckles Productions.

George Rogers

Brian Greer

Non Returning Status is a project that began as a photo journal by George Washington Rogers, IV documenting the life and spiritual philosophies of the Natti Love Joys, a reggae band living in the mountains of East Tennessee. The project has since developed into a complete multimedia experience, including over one thousand photographs taken over the course of three years, a series of videos documenting the lifestyle and spirituality of the band, and music by the Natti Love Joys themselves.

Download the electronic press kit [PDF - 274kb]

Non Returning Status is the ultimate spiritual aspiration. It is the ascendancy of the soul into a higher plane of existence, exempt from the earthly cycle of reincarnation. Non Returning Status is a way of life that essentially leads to the end of suffering, the expansion of consciousness and the attainment of enlightenment.

Non Returning Status is a phrase I first heard from Jah-T, musician-philosopher of the Natti Love Joys, a roots rock reggae band he fronts along with wife Marla.

Non Returning Status is a culmination of work that has spanned over the course of three years. It is a testament to the power of impermanence and to the inherent human instinct toward understanding one’s true self.

- George Washington Rogers, IV

George Washington Rogers, IV

“Karma is more real than anything else in the world, Cause & Effect.”
Jah- T

I’m at this mega department store waiting in line for the cashier and notice that there are hundreds of people enclosed around me waiting in line as well. Patiently. I think about the lives behind each set of eyes I stare into. People watching/reading. It gives me insight into who each stranger is and what he or she is about. I note that out of all the people I read I realize that each individual is his/her own favorite person. Meaning that everything anyone ever does is to simple serve thyself.

This work is my exit.

I’m all about experiencing and documenting the authentic experience.

Untainted by false pretenses and sponsorship bias.

My work is my art and my art is my life. There are no coffee breaks, no paycheck, no insurance, and no security. And that’s the way it has to be to keep it as real and authentic as possible. Your schedule changes on a whim, whether it’s going to Jamaica for a touring gig or covering a music festival that was a late booking.

Everything that I have has gone into this work. No grants, no scholarships, no handouts. I’ve produced this work solely with my own means to assure the quality and authenticity of the subject matter. I believe in the message, the music, and most importantly the people that I have documented and become family with.

The experience, at the cost of all my savings, is the most valuable thing I have ever received.
Photographs act as a memory saver. I am the memory man. Creating a catalog, documenting treasure and being metamorphosed physically, mentally, and spiritually by letting go of all pretenses and becoming one with the moment.

The qualitative research for my work has taken over four years of ethnographic acquired data living and touring with the Natti Love Joys as well as studying and participating in Buddhist, Rastafarian, and Voodoo practices and rituals that has historical origins spanning over two millennia. This immersion let me gain a deep insight into the souls of my fellow artists. Experiencing the spectrum of emotions ranging from birth and death, weddings and engagements, as well as personal Successes and failures.

Intuition and understanding are my two most valuable tools in exploration of reality. I am creating the image of their counterculture. My photographs act as a visual travel diary.

Non Returning Status is about keeping a non conceptual frame of mind and opening up to reality and seeing the world as it is, free of confusion and bias. Accepting that everything is impermanent and always changing and that to exist is to suffer. Non Returning Status is my meditation to the testament of being aware of the present and more wholeheartedly engaged with life and its wonder and less distracted and dissipated.

- George Washington Rogers, IV

Rogers is a graduate from The University of Tennessee with a dual Masters in International Business and Converging Media. His work deals with looking for the authentic experience in everyday reality through the use of audio, video and photography. He is also a published author, whose works include 4 Walls (2007), Non Returning Status (2008) and Eyes of the World (2009). Rogers has also produced and directed a number of award-winning films that include Atrophy (2003), Transmissions (2004), 4 Walls (2007), and Eyes of the World (2009).

Please visit George’s official website at www.WashingtonIV.com