Bermudian music legend and writer of Bermuda is Another World Hubert Smith Sr is set to be honoured this year in art both on and off the stage.

Music historian Dale Butler will this fall debut a new play detailing the life of Mr Smith, and is organising a mural of the singer-songwriter to be painted on Angle Street.

Mr Smith was one of Bermuda’s top entertainers during the golden era of tourism, performing with his band the Coral Islanders at Clay House Inn and the Princess Hotel before touring the US, Canada and UK as part of annual marketing blitzes organised by the Department of Tourism.

As a singer and songwriter, he is probably best known for his song Bermuda is Another World, which became a centrepiece for the Island’s tourism marketing.

He received numerous awards during his more than five decade career, including the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour. He continued to perform well into the 1980s, and served as the long-time President of the musicians’ union.

Mr Butler said that he had a close relationship with Mr Smith, before he died in 2001, through his efforts to docu- ment classic Bermudian musicians.

“Hubert Smith wrote the introduction for my book Jazz on the Rock,” Mr Butler said. “I also had the opportunity to interview him about his life. That was about five years before he died.

“He was a very kind and understanding gentleman who attempted not to ruffle feathers.

“He believed in compromise and getting things done. He was trying to find a way we could all get along well together.”

He said a recent trip to Cuba with the Giant Steps Band highlighted the need for greater efforts to celebrate local talent like Mr Smith who are largely unknown to younger Bermudians.

“We have a John Lennon statue in Botanical Gardens, and rightfully so, but we don’t have a Hubert Smith road or statue or street, despite the fact that most people over 40 think he was a legend,” Mr Butler said.

“I went around with a picture of Hubert Smith and I showed it to people who were under 40, or at least who appeared to be under the age of 40. They didn’t know who he was. He passed on December 3, 2001, and they don’t know him. Then I would ask who wrote Bermuda is Another World. They didn’t know. I was absolutely horrified.”

Mr Butler said that he spoke to Mr Smith’s family and, with their permission, wrote a play detailing the musician’s life named after the iconic song.

He also reached out to the community to create a mural of Mr Smith to be painted opposite the First Church of God on Angle Street.

Right now he said he is still seeking sponsorship to help pay for the mural, but so far he said the reaction from the community has been positive.

“A couple of people who I told about the project were so impressed that they immediately gave me a donation,” he said. “Anyone who donates more than $20 will be getting their names included on the wall.”

He said it is hoped work on the mural will begin later this month while the play Bermuda is Another World, is set to open at Fourways Inn on September 21.