And the news of Andy Palacio's sudden and unexpected demise has stunned and saddened the entire community. And nowhere more so than among artists - where Andy was the gold standard - hugely successful - but completely accessible, up in the charts, but down to earth. Today we spoke to some of those who've worked with him to get a reaction.
Lloyd Enriquez, Punta Rock Artist
"I have never heard Andy Palacio is sick, never. Every time I see Andy Palacio it is because he is always smiling, he is always well. So it was really really shocking to hear that Andy Palacio is down."
The news of his sudden illness has the country concerned but it sent shivers to young punta rockers Lloyd and Reckless - who worked with Andy on Watina.
For Lloyd, Andy matters because he is more than just an artist - he is a mentor - an icon.
Lloyd Enriquez,
"Andy Palacio is the artist who inspired me to become an artist. I listened to Andy Palacio from way back so I really love Andy Palacio music. And it was an honor to work with Andy on the Watina CD. I have a song I did, myself and him, and it was really an honor for me to be on that CD with Andy Palacio."
Andy also worked closely with Adrian "The Doc" Martinez who is a part of the Garifuna Collective and the two had big plans for 2008.
Adrian 'The Doc' Martinez,
"I couldn't believe that was Andy. I asked some people if it is a different Andy that until I got to see him on the television and it immediately got to me. Andy and myself go from way back in the 90s. 1992 was the time when
I met Andy. I got into the music business 1990 and he was instrumental in me getting into the music business. I saw one of his concerts in 1986 - somewhere there about when he did Ereba and Watu. So that inspired me when I met him in 1990 - that was like an honor for me.
I believe this was one of the more deciding year for the collective. This would have been the year where we actually finished seal off anything internationally for Belize because last year was just the basic introduction of the Belizean music to Watina so this year was more the meat of the matter, getting everything done for next year 2009 where we would have actually opened the doors for everybody because we were still working on opening the doors and he is doing a very good job in working on that."
But those plans are now on hold indefinitely and this morning Adrian 'The Doc' Martinez as a special observance of Andy's absence at a cultural event - he sang the Garifuna spiritual: 'Baba' which means the father.
