The music scene in Miami is taking a twangy turn with the return of the Country Bay Music Festival, featuring homegrown talent Orlando Mendez, otherwise known as the "Cuban Cowboy." According to a report by WSVN, Mendez will strut his stuff at the notable Miami Marine Stadium on November 9 to November 10, marking a high note for the artist whose creative pivot to country music came amid the pandemic-imposed hiatus on live performances.
Mendez makes it clear that his unexpected journey into the world of country began with YouTube guitar lessons during the lockdown. He soon pulled together a band and began performing across the Sunshine State, bringing country vibes to bars that hadn't previously featured the genre. "We started playing country music, and I think it was just the right place, right time. Got a momentum and started building quickly," Mendez told ABC News. His efforts culminated in an appearance on "The Voice" which helped launch him onto a larger stage.
This year's Country Bay lineup includes heavyweight acts like the Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, and Diplo presents Thomas Wesley, but it's the Cuban Cowboy’s homecoming that adds a unique flavor to the event. Mendez's story is emblematic of a broader demographic shift, as Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud and Live and event organizer, observed to WSVN that more than a third of all country music fans in the U.S. now identify as people of Latin descent, a statistic that mirrors the audience at last year’s festival.
Indeed, the Miami Marine Stadium provides a picturesque backdrop, pairing skyline views with melodies and drawing more than 20,000 attendees last year. The success of the previous festival, Albareda notes, has resulted in an influx of performer interest this time around. “We were getting texts from agents while the festival was going on saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know what you guys did, but my artists are texting me, and everybody is loving the festival," Albareda said to WSVN. Those in attendance can expect more than just music, with a new line-dancing stage and a host of carnival goodies to enjoy.
In addition to celebrating returning Miami native Mendez, Country Bay is adding another Floridian to the mix. Chase Rice, according to his interview with ABC News, was eager to play in his home state, pointing out that "anything South Florida or anything Florida in general is a no-brainer for me." Rice, like many, is ready to escape the chill and bask in more balmy weather while delivering a dose of his own country sound at the festival.
