WRITTEN by JOHN MORRIS
Roatan’s vibrant music scene is waiting for you
If you have not seen any of the Playing for Change videos, get on YouTube and search. I promise it will be worthwhile.
The concept is to pick a song and have musicians from all over the world add to the final composition, putting a whole new twist to the song. My top choice being Listen to the Music by one of my favorite groups, The Doobie Brothers.
I love music. So much, that I started a radio station when I first arrived on Roatan.
We launched on the internet and ended up on the FM dial at 101.1. I had never done this before other than as a DJ in college, but boy did we have fun. Now DJ Madison carries on the tradition, which has grown to be the one of most popular stations on the island.
What I really love is live music… and Roatan’s music scene is impressive.
Musicians come and musicians go. Some come and go and return… and some stay. But what’s really cool is the diversity of musicians who perform here, from all over the world.
Just like Playing for Change, we get new twists on old favorites and are delighted with original works too.
You see on Roatan, there is opportunity to play. Heck I have even played live which is a little bit scary!
Many artists who perform here were not full-time musicians in their “former life” but rather showed up, instrument in hand, looking for a chance that evaded them back home. The music business is tough in most countries and not many musicians even get noticed.
But on Roatan, you can be that proverbial big fish in a little sea. Sure you will not become a millionaire, but what you can accomplish is to make music and perform in front of folks who want to listen. Of course getting paid always helps!
There is a camaraderie among the island’s artists and it is not unusual for someone to jump in at the spur of the moment and turn a performance into a fun jam.
One night I was at Sundowners when Scotty C was playing, and one of the patrons, who was let’s say a bit happy, kept requesting Father and Son by Cat Stevens. Scotty stopped and yelled out for me – yes me – to come up and play the darn song as he did not have it in his repertoire.
I’m not sure how I sounded, but people clapped and the patron finally went quiet!
Live music can be found just about every night of the week around the island and we have a yearly music festival which brings even more diversity of talent. Trust me, there is something for everyone.
My brother recently left the LA rat race and moved to Roatan to pursue his dream of performing live. He now plays most nights of the week and has never been happier.
So if you are coming to visit or move here, you may want to pack that guitar or harmonica or whatever you can carry and play, and you may find yourself on stage.
Who knows? You might become the next Jack Johnson who went from surfer boy to international star!
One thing is for sure, you will get an opportunity to play. The rest will be up to you.
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