I’ve written about Texas artist, Kelly McGuire a few times in my blog. He is now visiting San Pedro 2 – 3 times a year and February is his biggest set of shows. 1. Because it’s one of the busiest months on the island. Just look at the crowd that he drew last night…
And 2. because it’s his BIRTHDAY and he always does a big birthday bash on Ambergris Caye.
I arrived early for the 6pm show. A good 15 minutes early (which in Belize is like arriving the day before) and saw Kelly unloading his equipment from a taxi. This guy needs roadies!
I caught up with Kelly and Brian, the General Manager of Fido’s, while they were setting up.
The crowd was in an excellent mood and the crew sitting at the bar cleared a spot and pulled up two stools for me and my friend Twilla. We were surrounded by fun, lovely people. Met some new friends for sure.
The bar crew & staff were hard at work. Here’s my buddy Chris behind the bar looking all sheepish. If I was this good looking? I’d never wear a shirt AND be posing for pictures left and right.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.
People were sitting at first…
And then the dancing started…this awesome couple started it off…
And then NORM arrived. NORM! Norman has been coming down here for YEARS. Each February. This is his FORTIETH TIME. 40! Love the hat…he’s been wearing a HI… hat since I met him 7 years ago.
Fun, fun, fun.
The dancing girls brought the percussion…
Singing along to every song. Even if you don’t like this style of music, last night was VERY fun. And, lucky for you, Kelly is doing a bunch of shows at Fido’s. Including the always HUGE SAGA Humane Society fundraiser which includes Kelly as the auctioneer for lots of great stuff.
Did I mention that he spent a full afternoon earlier this week filming a Public Service Announcement for SAGA? He really is a good guy and totally devoted to Ambergris Caye.
Oh yes! I also forgot to mention that it wasn’t just Kelly last night. Amauris, who lives in San Pedro but is originally from Cuba, is an AMAZING guitarist. Even Kelly, I think, was seriously impressed. I’m not sure how he makes his fingers move that fast.
And Dean Cavall was playing that awesome sit down slide guitar like thing…let me google this…
but it makes that amazing WOOOOWWW sound. Very 70s Steve Miller Band. I love it.
There you go. It was only the first of many shows at Fido’s. Here is the full schedule.
It all should be VERY good times.
For all the information on Kelly, check out his website Red Fish Island. And see you there for sure.
We met Norm about 7 years ago, spent the better part of several evenings with him at Fidos. Great guy!
I love that he is still coming down here SOLO and everywhere he goes around town, you hear…NORM!
I was excited to see your picture and words about Norm too. We just met him at Fido’s last year and I hoped he was still doing okay! Bless his little heart! Wishin’ for more Norm’s in the world!
That is a pedal steel guitar
Never heard of Kelly McGuire. Is country music big there? He got a packed venue. Nice to see the crowd having so much fun.
I’d never heard of him before I came down here either. But then…I am from NYC and this sort of music isn’t so big there. Very Jimmy Buffett-like and sings lots of songs about Ambergris Caye. So it is super fun. And he comes down a few times a year and has a pretty big following. In fact, people come down to visit just to see him.
That’s great. I love Jimmy Buffet and live vicariously through him. Wasting away again in Margaritaville…..
Oh…and country music is much bigger here than I would have thought. One of the original music stations (maybe the only one) back in the day was country. So people over about…35 years old love the classics!