Country crooner Aaron Tippin roared into Marsh Harbour, Abaco for his smash hit concert Saturday, leaving residents thrilled with his performance and hungry for a full-fledged Country music festival next year.
The Abaco Tourist Office, which organized the sell-out event, is eager to satisfy the community’s appetite for Country music. The Tourism staff in Abaco are already formulating ideas for converting the event into a festival that would span several days, said Jeritzan Outten, Director of Tourism for Abaco.
However, the move to bring more Country music to Abaco is not completely for the consumption of Abaco residents. Country music lovers fit snuggly into the demographics of travelers who are likely to be interested in a Bahamas vacation. As a result, the Ministry of Tourism is seeking ways to attract visitors to the island to enjoy a vacation built around Country music, Ms. Outten said.
“It’s all about driving business to us,” she said. “The fact is that this type of music is the type of music that our customers like. So we use it to spark interest.”
A Country music festival would be used to boost Abaco’s tourism during slow periods such as the fall. The coming Abaco Country Music Festival would take advantage of several locations in The Abacos. Organizers plan to hold concerts and special events in settlements such as Elbow Cay, Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay.
The Ministry of Tourism has already begun to generate awareness of a country music festival in Abaco. The effort began with a strong radio promotion of the Aaron Tippin concert on WIRK in West Palm Beach. The radio station, which is dedicated to country music, made its listeners aware of Abaco and the Aaron Tippin concert by offering trips to the concert to lucky callers.
Kelly Ski, one of two callers to win a trip to the concert in Abaco, said the promotion was effective. As a Country music fan, she listened regularly to WIRK, picking up information about the featured artist and The Bahamas.
“It gave me a chance to know Aaron and his family, and what a wonderful person he is,” Ms. Ski said. “And I also got to know The Bahamas. I had never been to The Bahamas before.”
Ms. Ski said she had a memorable time in Abaco. Her favorite memories would be of spending time with the Tippin family, she said.
Awareness of Abaco should gather even more momentum over the next few weeks, as a television promotion rolls out to publicize a television special based around Aaron Tippin’s visit to Abaco. A six-week promotion will precede the special, which will be broadcast on Great American Country Network.
The Abaco Country Music Festival will also be able to feature many local Bahamians. The Tippin concert included local Abaco talents, Stone McEwan and Wesley Cornish. McEwan opened the show with hits from his two CDs, “Hanging Out in Abaco,” and “Don’t Touch It If You Can’t Handle It.”
“Abaco probably has the biggest Country following out of all the islands in The Bahamas,” Mr. McEwan said. “So, you will see plenty participation.”
Mr. McEwan was certain that a Country Music Festival would succeed in Abaco. He pointed out that he was part of another Country music experience on the island in the late 90s. At that time, he and other locals took part in a concert with Country bands from Pennsacola, Florida.
Local performers would add a special touch to a Country Music Festival in Abaco, Mr. McEwan said. Due to his influence, two young Bahamians got moments in the spotlight at the Tippin concert.
Kayshara Adderley, a 15-year-old student at Abaco Central High, joined Mr. McEwan to mesmerize the audience with a rendition of Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me.” Avery Thompson was also a crowd pleaser. The 13-year-old music sensation’s performance included “Walking In Memphis” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” He also offered one of his original songs, “Destination Unknown.”
Avery, an eighth grade student at Forest Heights Academy, performed while playing the guitar – an instrument that he taught himself to play. He also taught himself to play the Dulcimer, Mandolin, Banjo and Autoharp.
Avery said he is a big country music fan like all of his family members and many other residents of Abaco.
The Bahama Journal
