Joining the celebrations . . . Best buddies will be there with George

George Jones’ two closest friends will join him in his celebratory moment in Cayman Islands.

The musician who will be honoured next week by the Cayman Cultural Foundation on Thursday, February 20, will receive the Silver Star for Creativity Award.

Former Calypso Monarch and Party Monarch Anderson Mr Blood Armstrong and top pannist Terry Mexican Arthur, who are just as elated about the award as George, will be present at the ceremony.

The two spoke highly about their former Square One mate and best buddy. Mr Blood said the award was very well deserved.

“Of course, I feel extremely excited and happy for George. When he migrated to Cayman with his family George hit the ground running. He started assisting with events and was able to have several Bajan acts on shows during their carnival and outside of carnival.”

He continued: “He played in a band there as well and was able to help them with recordings and working with producers outside of Cayman. It is always good to be recognised for your work and achievements and as I said, I am happy that George, after his ordeals with health was able to bounce back and to be recognized for his contributions.”

Mr Blood said he felt as though it was him getting the award. “This means a great deal to me. George and I go back over 40 years. We were best buddies at school. One of the first calypsos I ever wrote, we wrote together. We sat together at the same big piano along with Terry Mexican Arthur picking out tunes and eventually being in one of the school’s bands and The Lodge School. I am going to be there to witness this honour which will be bestowed upon my friend and it will feel as if it is being bestowed upon me,” he told Bajan Vibes.

Terry Mexican Arthur shares his sentiment. “I feel so happy about my friend George Jones getting an award in the Cayman Islands for his work over there in the field of music and culture. I met George and Anderson Blood Armstrong in 1979 at the Lodge School … We would all sit at one piano in the music room and play songs for hours and hours under the guidance of our teacher Mr Mac Fingall. The three of us have been friends for over 40 years. We have always supported each other.

Mexican told Bajan Vibes he would not miss being there for George at the award ceremony.  “I am really happy that George is being awarded for his hard work. He has put together shows, brought in outside acts, guided singers and musicians, all as a result of his experience from many years in Square One. When George told me about his award and the date that the ceremony would be held I put everything on hold to make the trip with Blood to celebrate with him, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” (IMC)