This September, they will host their third consecutive fest, which will again boast an all-Belizean line-up.

Wright said, however, that the association is not just for Belizean musicians, but also for artists who paint, dance, and showcase other forms of creative talent.

Last Sunday, the founders of the association selected their first executive to serve for 2004-2005: Lucio Enriquez, president; Sam Hamilton, vice president; Tony Wright, public relations; Pauline Wright, secretary; Mark Phillips, assistant secretary; Elsworth Castillo, treasurer; and Wilfred ?Sedi? Elrington, legal advisor.

Other association members include Zoila Clarke and her son Sam Carcamo, Fahima and Naphty Jones, Leroy ?Bass? Castillo, Maurice Banner, Shirley Bowen Ferguson, Merv Bennett, Jeoffery Gillett of Miami, Florida, and Jorge Babb.

Wright said that the association?s vision is to ensure that Belizean musicians have the best equipment that they need to perform.

Also, the association is discussing other ideas, such as rotating the venue of the Sound Fest, and having other events throughout the year, such as park fests and additional festivities to enable Belizean artists to boast their works year-round.

Tony Wright is the host of Belize Musicians Past and Present, a show broadcast on Thursdays on KREM. As a producer and entertainer, he has been one of the biggest promoters of Belizean music.

Wright told Amandala that the association?s name was coined to break the habit of putting Belizean artists second, instead of first.

?When foreign artists come [to Belize to perform], they always get all the hype and hullabaloo,? said Wright.

?Belizean artists are just as capable, and should get first preference,? he asserted.