What happens when a Cuban kid from Miami falls in love with country music?

Orlando Mendez, a.k.a. The Cuban Cowboy, opens up about finding his voice, facing rejection, and proving

that country has no borders.

Hosted by Emi Guerra (The Wharf, Regatta Grove), this episode uncovers the grind behind the spotlight —

from $50 gigs on Broadway to The Voice, Nashville, and back home to Miami.

🎧 Tune in for real talk about:

✨ Reinvention during lockdown

✨ The Voice experience & Camila Cabello’s mentorship

✨ Chasing dreams without losing yourself

✨ Building Miami’s country music scene

🎯 Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Industry Talks & Guest Introduction

01:15 – How Orlando Became The Cuban Cowboy

03:00 – Discovering Country Music Through Darius Rucker

04:45 – Acting, Stage Life & Creative Beginnings

05:45 – Teaching Himself Guitar During Lockdown

07:00 – First Miami Gigs and the O2 Band Story

08:45 – The Voice Audition: Hesitation & Imposter Syndrome

10:20 – Behind The Voice: Camila Cabello & Confidence

12:00 – Moving to Nashville and Starting Over

20:10 – Rejection, Setbacks & Mental Health Struggles23:30 – Country Bay Festival, July 4th Fireworks & Miami Pride

46:40 – The Future: Summer Six Pack, Tortuga Festival & Grand Ole Opry Dreams

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/

Connect with Orlando Mendez:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlandojmendezmusic/

Know more about Orlando Mendez: https://www.orlandomendezmusic.com/

Listen to my podcasts on:

🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest

episodes. Cheers!

#OrlandoMendez #TheCubanCowboy #IndustryTalksPodcast #EmiGuerra #TheVoice #CountryMusic

#MiamiMusicScene #NashvilleJourney #MusicPodcast #ArtistStory #Inspiration #Motivation #CountrySinger

#MiamiToNashville #BehindTheMusic #PodcastInterview #CountryArtist #Pitbull305Records