Miami, FL
Miami native 'Cuban Cowboy' Orlando Mendez returns home for Country Bay Musical Festival
MIAMI – Miami-native Orlando Mendez had been an aspiring actor when a pandemic shut down live entertainment in 2020. But the break gave Mendez a chance to embrace his love of county music and reinvent himself as the “Cuban Cowboy.”
After COVID-19 locked the world down, Mendez said he turned to YouTube and taught himself to play guitar. Once restrictions began to lift, the 28-year-old said he put a band together and started getting gigs in South Florida and other parts of the state.
“We brought country to a lot of bars that never had country before, a lot of these bars that are staples here in Miami but never really had a country act,” Mendez said. “We started playing country music, and I think it was just the right place, right time. Got a momentum and started building quickly.”
Mendez is returning to Miami this month to perform at the Country Bay Music Festival scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at the historic Miami Marine Stadium, just southeast of downtown on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay.
“I grew up listening to country in Miami where the country scene wasn’t so prevalent, and just to see it grow in this city and in this market to the point where we can have a big-time country festival was really exciting for me,” Mendez said.
The headliners scheduled for the event are Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Dustin Lynch, Diplo presents Thomas Wesley, Chase Rice and Chris Janson. Other performers include Niko Moon, Gabby Barrett, Chayce Beckham, Parmalee, Chase Matthew, Redferrin, Owen Riegling, Willie Jones, RVSHVD and Dee Jay Silver.
After more than a year of playing shows around Florida, Mendez got his big break when he appeared on “The Voice” in 2022. He impressed judges with a cover of Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and joined a team led by pop singer Camila Cabello, a native Cuban who grew up in Miami. Mendez, a University of Florida theater school graduate, credits his acting background in developing his stage presence.
Mendez didn’t win, but the experience prompted him to make the move to Nashville. He released a single called “Motherland” earlier this year about his experiences as a Cuban American, and an EP with five songs dropped last month.
Mendez attended last year’s County Bay, and he’s looking forward to this year.
“It was an incredible festival with a lot of great sights and an incredible atmosphere, and this year, I’m expecting them to take a step up,” Mendez said.
Miami already is considered a hub for Latin, hip-hop and electronic music, but Country Bay organizer Nelson Albareda, the CEO of Loud and Live, said the success of last year’s event proves there’s a place for country and possibly even other genres. And a few more successful years might earn County Bay a permanent spot in Miami’s music scene alongside Rolling Loud and Ultra Music Festival.
“I think the city today is a global city,” Albareda said. “And we’ve had all this influx of people and culture, you can’t compare Miami on a global map to where it was at even five or 10 years ago.”
About half of last year’s crowd was people visiting from out of town, but the other half was from the Miami area, which is about 70% Hispanic. Albareda said more than a third of all country music fans in the U.S. identify as people of Latin descent.
“You could definitely see Miami representing at the festival,” Albareda said. “There were a lot of Hispanic faces.”
Country Bay is returning to the Miami Marine Stadium, taking advantage of the view across Biscayne Bay toward Miami’s skyline. The festival drew more than 20,000 people over two days last year, and Albareda said he’s expecting a similar crowd this year. And like last year, the festival also has been selling anchorage access passes enabling fans to attend the event by boat or yacht.
Albareda said the success of last year’s festival, with both artists and fans flooding social media with posts about the event, made it much easier to book performers this year.
“We were getting texts from agents while the festival was going on saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know what you guys did, but my artists are texting me, and everybody is loving the festival,’” Albareda said.
One of the new acts this year is central Florida native Chase Rice, who recently released two albums, “Go Down Singin’” and “Fireside Sessions.”
“I was born in Daytona Beach, so anything South Florida or anything Florida in general is a no-brainer for me,” Rice said. “And it’s late in the year, man. It’s cold up here. I’m ready to get down in the heat.”
Besides hosting musical acts on two stages, the Country Bay Music Festival will include a country-themed bar, food and carnival attractions.
“Line-dancing was such a hit that we’ve added a whole second stage with an entire area for line-dancing,” Albareda said.
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Crews were making progress as they battled three brush fires in western Miami-Dade County on Friday, tackling hotspots and turning off power to help put the flames out.
Firefighters have worked for almost a week in uncomfortable heat to increase containment and keep flames from two fires away from people and businesses. On Wednesday, around 200 residents were evacuated and on Thursday, one firefighter was injured while battling the Quarry 2 fire and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
Now, a third blaze is also burning. But the rain that could make the difference in the firefight may not be far off.
3 Wildfires are continuing to burn this afternoon across western Miami-Dade County with smoke visible on traffic cameras & radar.
SE winds have kept the smoke away from the metro today, however winds may veer more southerly overnight bringing smoke back closer to the metro. pic.twitter.com/rWG4Yo3jro
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 18, 2026
What fires are burning?
The Quarry 2 fire had reached around 17,200 acres by Thursday night and was about 75% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The Florida Forest Service said it responded to the blaze on Sunday, after it originated from a thunderstorm and lightning strike.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said its crews started battling it in the area of Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 25th Street on Monday.
A second fire, the Well Fire, was discovered on Thursday, has burned 1,310 acres and was 50% contained at last update earlier this week.
A third fire, the Coptic Fire, was discovered on Wednesday. It has burned 1,680 acres, is 40% contained and is being handled by the U.S. Forest Service since it’s burning on federal land.
200 residents evacuated; businesses feel the heat
Officials said Wednesday that around 200 residents of nearby Mack’s Fish Camp voluntarily evacuated and many were moved to a nearby fairgrounds while some went to live with family members. Some residents were encouraged to leave but chose to stay, officials said.
“No electricity. Can’t stay where there’s no electric; I need my air conditioning,” one resident, Lisa, said after leaving her home. “I packed my medicine, and my milk that’s going bad from the refrigerator that’s been off for four hours, and my tea, and here we are.”
Maurice Cullen, of Everglades Airboat Expeditions, said the longer the fires burn, the fewer customers he’ll see.
“It’s not good for business, it definitely stops everybody going to the Everglades,” he said. “It’s never good, but this is natural. This is a normal cycle out in the Everglades.”
No injuries have been reported, but people with respiratory conditions in the area were advised to stay indoors and recirculate the air from their air conditioners.
Officials wait for rain amid a heat index up to 110 degrees
Hundreds of staff, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue and the National Guard are all working alongside the Forest Service to put the flames out.
Officials say the biggest factor right now is the weather.
“We’re just hitting it hard with everything we have with our partners,” Patrick Mahoney said. “We need a weeklong, multi-day long rain event to really get us out of this.”
Fortunately, Friday could see some storms late in the afternoon and evening, which would kick off a wetter pattern for two or three days, NBC6 Meteorologist Adam Berg forecasts. The NWS says the rain on Friday will be “mainly focused over inland SoFlo.”
Winds have also remained calm, which is good because strong gusts could spread flames dangerously fast.
A heat advisory will be in effect again from noon until 7 p.m. in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, the National Weather Service said Friday. While not directly related to the fires, it makes the firefight more uncomfortable for first responders.
Heat indices up to 110° are possible.
6/19 – Look familiar? That’s because it is identical to yesterday! 🔥Heat index values across the region will reach 105-110 degrees again today. Shower and thunderstorm coverage will be mainly focused over inland SoFlo and initiate in the late afternoon. pic.twitter.com/gVbL0nwHhY
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 19, 2026
Road closures
Krome Avenue remains shut down in both directions. The Miccosukee Police Department advised drivers to “avoid the area, expect delays, and seek alternate routes until further notice.”
Pembroke Pines Police said Wednesday afternoon that U.S. Highway 27 southbound was also closed at Pines Boulevard due to the fire, but the roadway reopened later in the evening, police said.
Air quality improves
The National Weather Service warns that as smoke disperses, air quality may be reduced across the region.
Still, the air quality has improved from “unhealthy” in the areas closest to the fires on Wednesday to “good” or “moderate” on Friday, according to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
More sensitive groups “should consider reducing outdoor activity” and go inside for cleaner air in the event of symptoms.
How to stay safe amid smoky conditions
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said smoke can reduce visibility on the road and cause respiratory issues. Authorities suggest that:
- If you must drive through smoke or haze, use extra caution, increase your following distance, and use low-beam headlights.
- If smoke is present in your area, limit time outdoors, keep doors and windows closed, and set air conditioning systems to recirculate indoor air. These precautions are especially important for individuals with respiratory conditions.
A group of South Florida students is preparing to travel more than 8,000 miles to Zimbabwe next Wednesday, though organizers say reaching their fundraising goals has become increasingly difficult this year.
Ten students from Miami Central Senior High School are scheduled to spend 18 days in the country as part of the Blindfolded International Student Cultural Exchange Program (BISCEP). The initiative aims to provide students with cultural immersion and foster global relationships.
“I’m really excited but also a tad bit nervous,” said 11th grader Shonneice Ferris.
For student Samir Rios, the trip offers a chance to engage with a new community. “The most anticipated thing that I’m looking forward to is most likely the students and the kids,” Rios said.
During the 18-day excursion, students plan to attend local schools, volunteer at an orphanage, and visit sites including Victoria Falls. “The first week we’re going to be going to school in Zimbabwe,” Ferris said.
Despite the program’s history of successful trips, BISCEP founder Edwin Sheppard said fundraising efforts have stalled. Many longtime donors have reduced their contributions due to budget constraints.
“A lot of our donors, our past donors, have not been able to donate what they’ve donated in the past,” Sheppard said. “A lot of budget cuts, and so we’re still struggling to raise all of the funding.”
Organizers confirmed the trip will proceed as scheduled despite the financial hurdles.
“This is two different schools, two different sides of the world and two different continents, and I think we’re going to do something amazing out of this,” Rios said.
The students are scheduled to depart next Wednesday. Organizers continue to seek donations to cover the remaining costs. Those interested in supporting the Miami Central Senior High students can find more information at biscep.org.
The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.
Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.
Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.
READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker
The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.
“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.
Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.
“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”
Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.
“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.
Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.
“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.
More About the 2028 Class
The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.
Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.
Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.
While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.
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