MIAMI – Orlando Mendez, a Miami resident and aspiring actor, found his true calling during the live entertainment shutdown caused by the pandemic in 2020. This unexpected break allowed him to explore his deep passion for country music, ultimately transforming himself into the “Cuban Cowboy.”
With the world in lockdown due to COVID-19, Mendez utilized platforms like YouTube to learn guitar. Once restrictions were lifted, the 28-year-old musician formed a band and began performing at venues across South Florida. “We introduced country music to numerous bars in Miami that had never hosted country acts before. It was serendipitous timing as we gained momentum quickly,” Mendez shared.
This month, Mendez is set to return to Miami to showcase his talents at the Country Bay Music Festival, which is happening on November 9-10 at the historic Miami Marine Stadium, located southeast of downtown on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay. “Growing up in Miami with limited exposure to country music, witnessing its growth here and the emergence of a high-profile festival is incredibly exhilarating,” he expressed.
The festival’s headliners will include the Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Dustin Lynch, and Diplo presents Thomas Wesley, along with Chase Rice and Chris Janson. Notable performers also making appearances include Niko Moon, Gabby Barrett, Chayce Beckham, Parmalee, Chase Matthew, Redferrin, Owen Riegling, Willie Jones, RVSHVD, and Dee Jay Silver.
Mendez’s big break arrived in 2022 when he participated in “The Voice,” delivering a compelling performance of Luke Combs’ hit “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” He secured a spot on pop superstar Camila Cabello’s team, who shares his Cuban heritage and Miami roots. Thanks to his acting background as a University of Florida theater graduate, Mendez has developed a strong stage presence, which he credits for his performance success.
Even though he did not win the competition, Mendez’s experience spurred his move to Nashville and led to the release of his single “Motherland” this year, which reflects on his Cuban American background, alongside a recent EP containing five tracks.
Having attended last year’s Country Bay, Mendez is eagerly anticipating this year’s event. “Last year’s festival was amazing—an incredible atmosphere with fantastic sights. I expect this one to be even better,” he noted.
Miami is already a recognized center of Latin, hip-hop, and electronic music, but Country Bay organizer Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud and Live, believes the success of last year’s festival has opened doors for country music and potentially other genres. As the event continues to thrive, it may secure a permanent place in Miami’s music scene, joining the ranks of festivals like Rolling Loud and Ultra Music Festival.
“The city has evolved into a global hub with a diverse blend of cultures. Miami today is unrecognizable compared to five or ten years ago,” Albareda commented.
About half of the attendees from last year’s festival were tourists, while locals made up the other half, with the surrounding Miami area being roughly 70% Hispanic. Notably, over a third of all country music fans in the United States identify as Latinx. “You could definitely see Miami’s representation at the festival; there were countless Hispanic faces,” he added.
Country Bay will return to the Miami Marine Stadium, taking full advantage of the scenic views across Biscayne Bay towards Miami’s skyline. The inaugural event last year attracted over 20,000 attendees over two days, and Albareda is optimistic for a similar turnout this year. Similar to last year, the festival will also offer anchorage access passes for boat and yacht attendees.
The success of the previous year’s festival, boosted by social media buzz from both artists and fans, has made booking this year’s performers much smoother. Albareda recounted, “During last year’s event, agents were reaching out to us saying their artists were raving about how amazing the festival was.”
This year, one of the highlights is Chase Rice, a central Florida native who has recently released two albums, “Go Down Singin’” and “Fireside Sessions.” “Being from Daytona Beach, any opportunity in South Florida is a no-brainer for me. Plus, it’s getting chilly up here, so I’m thrilled to head down to the warmth,” Rice expressed.
In addition to the performances across two stages, the Country Bay Music Festival will feature a country-themed bar, a variety of food options, and carnival attractions. “Line dancing was such a hit that we’re adding an entire second stage with a dedicated area for it,” Albareda confirmed.