Alex Cuba's Grammy nod sets B.C. hometown buzzing

There's a buzz in the snowy town of Smithers, B.C. these days onewith a distinctly Cuban feel.

The northern B.C. community best-known for its stunning mountainsand ski hill is grooving to a Latin beat, thanks to localsinger-songwriterAlex Cuba.

Cuba, whosereal name is AlexPuentes,is set for what could bethe biggest night of his career onMonday, when he'll be in Los Angeles attending the Grammy Awards.His latest album, Healer, is up for best Latin pop album,pittingCuba againstglossy superstars likeRicky Martin.

"People are incredibly excited," saidJanet Walford, ownerof Mountain Eagle Books, located just off the town's main street.

"He's putting out amazing music," saidWalford, who noted there'sbeen a run on Cuba's CDs and vinyl albums at her bookstore.

From Artemisato Smithers

"I look back at my life 18 years ago, and if someone were to say, this is going to happen, [I'd say]you're crazy, I don't believe that," saidCubaduring a recent walk along Smithers' downtown, where a constant streamof people came up to shake his hand.

"It feels like home and I love it," he saidof the tight-knitcommunity where he's lived since 2003.

Cuba's life took a turn in 1995, during a tour of Canada with his father'sCuban band.At a stop in Vancouver,the musician originally from Artemisa (located south west of Havana)met his future wife, Sarah, whowas a student at Simon Fraser University.

The pair travelled together to the Caribbean island, where they got marriedlater that year. They eventually returned to Canada and settled in her northernhometownof Smithers, population 6,000 and withan average January temperature hovering around 9 degrees.

Rather than giving up his dream of a becoming a successful touringartist, Cuba carried on:recruiting local musicians and writing hismusic in the garage behind his home.

"There could be two feet of snow outside my windowand I couldbe writing the hottest, grooviest song over here," he said.

Sarah behind the scenes

His wife,Sarah Puentes, says she's tried to stay in the background of herhusband's blossoming career. She managestheirindependent record label,Caracol.

"The whole town has gotten behind him. They play his musiceven if he doesn't sing in Englishon the radio. It's beautiful," she said.

One of the most popular songs on Healer is Sarah, which Cubawrote for his wife.

"Everywhere we go, people come up to me and sing it," she laughed. "Right on the red carpet, they run up and sing it to me.It's embarrassing!"

Cuba,previously nominated fora Grammy in 2010,haswon two Latin Grammy trophies andtwo Juno Awards. Healer is alsoup for a Juno at this year's ceremony later this spring.

Win or lose at theGrammysgala on Monday,he has no plans to leave Smithers.

"I think if I lived in Miami with sunny days and everything,I'd be writing about snow!"