Boots on the Beach Fest: See Country Stars Honor Military Heroes
Country fans took over the Sandals Ochi Beach resort in Jamaica last week for the first annual Boots on the Beach Vacation. Chris Young, Jerrod Niemann and Tyler Farr headlined the five-day event that raised money and awareness for the Boot Campaign, a nonprofit organization that helps service members past and present. Cam, Casey James, Logan Mize and Josh Dorr were also on hand to perform and mingle with several military couples attending the event.
While the concerts celebrated the work of the Boot Campaign, the event also recognized and honored those who have lost their lives serving their country. Taya Kyle, widow of the late American Sniper author Chris Kyle, kicked off festivities with a heartfelt welcome, speaking passionately about the sacrifices military families make.
To give back, the artists not only performed but also led excursions. Young captained a catamaran cruise, where he previewed new music for fans. Farr and Niemann hosted a bobsledding trip through a rainforest. And Cam, Dorr and Mize had the unique opportunity to share a stage set up at the former Jamaican vacation home of Johnny Cash.
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Chris Young
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Chris Young stopped his set to introduce Tatiana and Phil McGill, who are both active Marines and didn't have an official wedding or honeymoon due to their respective deployments. The country star serenaded the couple, deeming it their "first dance."
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Tyler Farr
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Tyler Farr performed on a stage set right on the beach, visible from the sand and the pool.
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Taya Kyle Emcees
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Taya Kyle, widow of late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (who co-wrote the book, American Sniper, which inspired the movie of the same name), was the official emcee of Boots on the Beach Vacation. She told the crowd how important her own family found spending quality time together on vacation, something this event provided, all expenses paid, for several military families.
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Cam
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville The "My Mistake" singer sipped on a freshly cut coconut at Sandals Ochi's Jerk Shack, where artists and guests sampled native Jamaican dishes.
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Josh Dorr
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Josh Dorr, appropriately dressed in all-black, performed at the Jamaica home once owned by Johnny Cash. The country newcomer played several shows throughout the five-day event.
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Casey James
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Casey James sits down for an interview in the 90-degree heat. The "Fall Apart" singer performed his Boots on the Beach set on a stage set up over a hot tub, with the audience watching from the cool comfort of the pool.
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Boots on the Boys
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Jerrod Niemann, Logan Mize, Chris Young, Casey James and Josh Dorr got to sit in the audience for a change, at the home of Sandals Ochi's owner. Local children whose school is funded by the Sandals Foundation performed at this special Boots on the Beach event. Pictured here after the show, center, is Joey Jones, the COO of the Boot Campaign, who lost both legs in combat in Afghanistan.
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Tyler Farr and Jerrod Niemann
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Tyler Farr and Jerrod Niemann posed by the Sandals Ochi pool before their respective headlining sets. The two friends also took fans bobsledding in a rainforest later that day.
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Cam and Logan Mize
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Country newcomers Cam and Logan Mize were part of a guitar-pull at a home once owned by Johnny Cash.
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Taya Kyle
Image Credit: Sony Music Nashville Kyle is pictured here wearing the official boots that benefit the Boot Campaign. The non-profit foundation provides emotional support and financial assistance to service men and women, past and present. It also promotes patriotism and awareness of the challenges faced both during and after service.