When blissful beachfront vibes combine with sweet country melodies, it makes for a dreamy, cinematic experience. This past May, the sandy shores of Hopkins, Belize became the unique location where such a thing was possible. The Belize Songwriter Festival was two enthralling evenings of music, emotion, and at times, nostalgia. Here’s the full recap of the inaugural concert’s first night.
Heartbreak, Comfort, and Love in a Duck Blind
(l – r) Forest Whitehead, Lindsay Ell, Lucas Hoge, Paul Overstreet. Photo © The Belize Collection
Country music lovers and songwriters will agree that one of the beauties of the genre is that its themes can run the gamut from love and relationships to humor and joy and even some good ol’ duck hunting (more on that below).
That impressive variety was on full display at the BSF, courtesy of the singers and songwriters that flew down to Belize to perform for friends, loved ones, and fans.
Photo © The Belize Collection
As the sun set over Hopkins and the vintage string lights flickered on, the festival kicked off with three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Forest Whitehead. He was accompanied on stage by Lindsay Ell, Lucas Hoge, and Paul Overstreet, the four artists a picture-perfect display of the festival’s stellar lineup.
Apart from Whitehead’s three nominations, the day-one performers have a slew of Billboard hits. The legendary Paul Overstreet has even won two Grammys during his colorful career.
Forest Whitehead. Photo © The Belize Collection
The music was lively and the Landshark lagers – plus the occasional shot of tequila – were flowing. Whitehead’s soothing love tunes were followed by Lindsay Ell’s impressive vocals. The Canadian-American songwriter, who has been on tour with country icon Shania Twain, belts songs of lost love and inspiration with equal levels of passion. Her hit 2019 song “I Don’t Love You” especially was a moving testament to her vocal prowess.
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- Photos © The Belize Collection
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- Photo Credit: The Belize Collection
The playful personality of Lucas Hoge, Billboard-topping songwriter and producer/star of Hoge Wild, shined through performances of songs like “Do It in the Duck Blind” – an innuendo-laced love song inspired by duck hunting season. The Belize Songwriter Festival is Hoge’s brainchild, conceived after a small musical session hosted at the Lodge at Jaguar Reef in Belize in the summer of 2022.
“I truly fell in love with this place and the people. Being able to work with my partners and our sponsors to bring this festival to life is simply incredible. We look forward to many years of sharing Hopkins Beach Belize with not only my songwriting peers, but friends and fans from all over the world.”
Digging Up Bones with Paul Overstreet
Photo © The Belize Collection
A man as talented as he is a jokester, Paul Overstreet is a surprising staple in many Belizean households. Tunes like “Digging Up Bones” and “Forever and Ever, Amen”, sung by Randy Travis but written by Overstreet, elicit a sense of nostalgia whenever they play on the local radio. With a clear night sky overhead and the cool Caribbean breeze blowing, Overstreet’s renditions of the popular songs at the BSF evoked those same feelings.
He closed out the main event of the night with a special performance – a reimagining of “Digging Up Bones” in the style of legendary blues singer B.B. King.
“I know that if this song had gotten to B.B. King, he would have sung it like this,” said Overstreet, adding a new verse to the beloved song.
The After-Festival: Play Bar and Mango’s Bar
Play Bar in Hopkins. Photo via Facebook.
After two hours of dynamic performances, it was time for the breakout sessions. This was another unique feature of the festival that made it all the more enjoyable (and interactive). A quick two-minute stroll down Hopkins Road led to Play Bar, where guests were able to meet and greet the artists while swaying to the musical stylings of Cameron Bedell and Tim Gates.
Then at Mango’s Bar, accessed via a winding shuttle ride down the Sittee River Road, veteran songwriter Tyree Woods serenaded the crowd alongside Trent Tomlinson. After spending eight years in the US Army – including two years in live combat – Woods found healing in songwriting, and it certainly shows in his soulful music.
The Belize Songwriter Festival’s Picturesque Setting
Photo by The Belize Collection
What makes the Belize Songwriter Festival stand out from other music shows is, most of all, the location. Belize is blessed with miles of pristine beaches, coupled with shimmering seas and lush green mountains as the backdrop. In the village of Hopkins, Afro-Caribbean culture and Belize’s impressive biodiversity are on full display. Here, the country’s natural bounty comes together to create a truly gorgeous destination. And at The Belize Collection’s Jaguar Reef, intrepid travelers can enjoy all that and then some.
The Beachfront Spa Room at Almond Beach. Photo by Monica Gallardo / The Belize Collection
Those who opted for the full festival experience had the chance to indulge in beachfront bliss at one of four stunning properties set along the sea. This writer enjoyed spending the night at Almond Beach Resort. At the festival’s conclusion, sandy stone pathways led the way to a tranquil respite. It came complete with panoramic views of the sea and sand.
The Belize Songwriter Festival was a movie – and one that certainly promises to be just as cinematic, if not more, next year.
Photos by The Belize Collection unless otherwise captioned.
