More than 50 years of Belizean musical history will be on stage at the Bliss Center tomorrow night at the Lord Rhaburn Music Award show. 18 performers who carry the tradition back to the origins of authentic Belizean music will be on stage. The line-up includes big names such as Keith Richards, Pupa Curly, Bella Carib, and the original ensemble of the Lord Rhaburn combo. It is a show like no other mainly because many of the performers, many of who are now senior citizens, do not live in Belize. But they flew in today and it was like a gala event at the Phillip Goldson international's V.I.P. room where Bella Carib, Anthony Richards, and several other legendary performers spoke with the press. Richards greeted us with an accapella version of his classic hit "Sweet Belizean Girl."
Anthony Richards, Belizean Singer
[Singing 'Sweet Belizean Girl']
KS: When was the last time you've been on a stage in Belize?
Anthony Richards,
"About 20 years ago."
KS: So you looking forward to tomorrow night?
Anthony Richards,
"Oh yes. It is an honor to be here because I've been away for so long."
Prof Drummond, Former Member Lord Rhaburn Combo
"It should be a real heck of a show because of the quality of the artists that he has brought in from outside that Belizeans haven't seen or heard, probably don't even know some of us, because its been a long time."
KS: You haven't been home for 25 years, how does it feel to be back home?
Prof Drummond, Former Member Lord Rhaburn Combo
"God bless Belize and the Belizean people. I am still a Belizean. I've been out for some time but if you notice I still talk Creole and tells you I didn't grow out part of my heritage."
KS: _You told me earlier also that you were known as Lord Rhaburn's other half. Why is that?
Prof Drummond, Former Member Lord Rhaburn Combo
"Because when you saw Lord Rhaburn you saw me and when you see me you saw him. We were always like that."
Bella Carib,
"I am so ecstatic. It is like something I've dreamt about, to come here and meet with my fellow artists in such a large venue that we can unite and do great things to bring Belize into the forefront of the artists."
KS: When was the last time you were on a stage in Belize?
Bella Carib,
"That was 1997 I believe."
KS: That's about 6 or 7 years ago, how will you feel when you hit the stage again tomorrow night?
Bella Carib,
"You know what? I think that I will feel that connection again that I had been missing and that is once…you know once you get it you always want it. So I will really feel connected to my people through the singing and the music."
Ben McKoy, Belizean Singer
"This is one of the greatest occasions I think musically for Belize and I hope and wish we can continue to have it maybe annually or every 2 or 3 years, whatever we can afford to do. But I am looking very forward to perform with all my fans family and all Belizeans."
Expected to arrive in Belize tomorrow is Pupa Curly. The Lord Rhaburn Music Awards show begins at 8:30 tomorrow night at the Bliss Center. Tickets are $20 and $45.