Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie, the number-one-selling recording artist responsible for such Bahamian music classics as ‘Coo Coo Soup,’ ‘Bush Mechanic’ and ‘Civil Servants,’ has officially joined the rapidly growing environmental group ‘Save The Bays’ to assist it its mission to protect The Bahamas’ marine resources.
Save The Bays’ director, Fred Smith, QC, expressed the organization’s joy to have KB on board.
“We are happy to officially welcome KB to the dynamic Save The Bays team. As a key figure in Bahamian culture for decades, KB’s voice resonates with the Bahamian public. More importantly, beyond the beat and the distinctive sound is the message that he delivers — the environment is ours to enjoy and equally ours to protect,” said Smith. “KB’s appeal and his dedication to environmental causes mirror ours and we are delighted that this Bahamian cultural icon is willing to lend his time, energy and talent to supporting Save The Bays in our mission to preserve the beautiful waters of this nation.”
KB’s previous work with the organization included the writing, production and performance of the official Save The Bays song released in June. The Save The Bays song implores listeners, in typically lively KB fashion, to “stand up, Bahamas, come on let’s Save The Bays,” as it details areas in The Bahamas such as Clifton Bay and Bimini Bay that are currently threatened by unregulated development. The song encourages all Bahamians, including political leaders, to join the fight to preserve the marine environment.
“As a little boy growing up in Jones Town, Eight Mile Rock, I may have learned about the flora and fauna of the region, but I had no clue about the many threats to our precious marine resources. In partnering with the Save The Bays organization, I have learned so much about the horrible activities affecting our beaches and seas that there was no way I could not get on board with this much-needed cause,” says Bodie.
“Once you’re protecting our beautiful natural environment and providing a better Bahamas for generations to come, I’m on board. I think it is so important for entertainers and local celebrities to loan their time and resources to these kinds of causes because cultural icons usually have such a great ability to reach otherwise untouched audiences and really grab their attention.”
This is not KB’s first foray into conservation efforts. The artist is also a supporter of the Abaco-based non- profit ‘Friends of the Environment’ which focuses on the preservation of the waters and land of Abaco. He has pledged proceeds from his most recent album, KB and Friends Volume 4, to the organization. This demonstrated track record of supporting the protection of the environment and loaning his voice to vital issues in the Bahamian community made him an ideal candidate for Save The Bays, said Smith.
Established in June of 2013, Save The Bays is a licensed non-profit corporation with a commitment to “preserving and protecting the delicate environmental, ecological and cultural balance” of the Bahamian marine environment. The organization is currently spearheading a petition drive, hosted on Change.org, to encourage the Bahamian government to create an Environmental Protection Act, a Freedom of Information Act, establish a Marine Managed Area, and enforce regulation to restore conch populations, as well as prevent oil spills and unregulated development.
