Each time Rich Hardesty travels to Jamaica, he treats it as an adventure. That was the vibe around Jamaica Daydream, an event that took place January 25-29 at WAVS Beach in Negril.

The American singer-songwriter and his band, accompanied by Hyryder from his native Indiana, were featured acts. They did eight shows at WAVS Beach, attracting locals and tourists.

Hardesty told Observer Online that the shows were well-received.

“I have been home for 12 days and can’t stop thinking about it. Most of our friends and fans have never been to Jamaica. They are messaging me with thank you letters, pics and videos telling me they LOVE Jamaica and the people. They want to sign up again for next year and bring friends,” he said.

The jocular musician first visited Jamaica in the early 1990s, and has recorded songs and albums here. Hardesty’s latest album, Jahmerican, was released last June in Negril. His set at Jamaica Daydream included songs from it as well as Bob Marley standards like Pimpers Paradise and Crazy Baldhead.

Hyryders, a Grateful Dead tribute band, did a blend of rock, blues and bluegrass songs which went over well with fans from the United States, Canada, Brazil and New Zealand.

Hardesty and his friends also performed in the town of Good Hope in Trelawny, which he visited on his first trip to Jamaica in 1993. The area is special to him.

“It all started with the late Rudy Ainsley Smith whom I met in 1993, who was my security guard on my first visit. He introduced me to Good Hope. I wrote several songs about this little town but the song Rudy is most special,” Hardesty explained. “Rudy was killed on a motorcycle over two decades ago, and I have continued to go back there countless times, singing to the kids and introducing friends to Good Hope, Rudy’s cousin Patsy and neighbours. With Jamaican Daydream we can continue the story and leave the legacy.”