The History of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival

The Monterey Bay Blues Festival is considered one of the premier Blues festivals in the country, continuing to attract and feature world-renowned blues artists as well as young budding artists. The Festival has and continues to feature the likes of Billy Preston, B. B. King, The Neville Brothers, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Shemekia Copeland, Charlie Musselwhite, Al Green and Buddy Guy, while simultaneously offering teens an opportunity to thrill their audiences at the same Festival.

Limited in capacity by the small, but beautiful venue--the Monterey Fairgrounds--the Festival continues to create ways to grow in quality, reputation and purpose. In 1995, a third stage was added to offer attendees more opportunities to enjoy a diverse menu of blues entertainment.

Having been founded by a group of visionaries, who in the early years put up personal collateral to get the Festival established, today award scholarships and grants each year to community youth who are pursuing their dream in the field of music and other visual and performing arts. In the last several years, the Monterey Bay Blues Festival has given over one million dollars to scholarship and grant winners.In 1993 the first Monterey Bay Blues Festival artist-of-the-year (MOBAY) award was bestowed on Etta James, an award that today, artists proudly add to their credits and many covet. In 1999, after 13 years of growth, the Festival added a third day and broke all previous Festival attendance records.

The new millennium has not slowed the pattern of success and challenge for the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. Shortly after the 1999 Festival, Board Members were surprised to hear that the management firm that had assisted the Board of Directors in administering the Festival would no longer be able to continue in that role. With little more than a sigh, the Board reviewed its options and executed its traditional "committee process" deciding to hire its first Executive Director (today entitled Executive Manager) and necessary staff, locate new offices and open for business.

Being a non-profit (501C3) organization of community people, none of whom had experience in developing or implementing a Festival, the early years were seen as an insurmountable challenge by those on the outside, but seemingly a labor of love and purpose by the founders. The Board of Directors of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival believe that by supporting youth and the Arts, with emphasis on music, they can give back to the Community, and in a small way give a gift for a lifetime.

The founding Board of Directors included: Dr. Elisha Brandon (Deceased), Billy F. DeBerry*, Ron Harold, Dr. Henry T. Hutchins (Deceased), William Jackson (Deceased), Col. (Ret) Otis Jones, Sam Karas (Deceased) , Augustia Lewis*--Treasurer, LTC (Ret) Morris McDaniel--President, James Manning, Elmer Phillips, Martin Puentes*--Secretary, Atty. Warren Robbins--Legal Advisor (Deceased), Reuben J. Simpson, Josh Stewart,* and Franklin Washington. See photograph below.

(* Indicates Founding Board members still with the Festival.)

Over time, new members have been invited to serve on the Board of Directors. Today the Board consists of 18 Directors, 4 Associate Directors, 6 Ex-Officio Board Members, and 5 Out-reach Board Members.

With humble beginnings in 1986, approximately 2,000 people enjoyed the music of Taj Mahal, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Millie Jackson, and Frankie Lee. The Festival quickly grew and attracted 15,000 in 1992; 21,000 in 1993; and in the last several years, a "sell out", a short but successful, story only few Festivals can boast.

Limited in capacity by the small, but beautiful venue--the Monterey Fairgrounds--the Festival continues to create ways to grow in quality, reputation and purpose. In 1995, a third stage was added to offer attendees more opportunities to enjoy a diverse menu of blues entertainment. In 2000 the Board committed to significantly increasing funds for scholarships and grants from $60,000 to $100,000. In 1993 the first Monterey Bay Blues Festival artist-of-the-year (MOBAY) award was bestowed on Etta James, an award that today, artists proudly add to their credits and many covet. In 1999, after 13 years of growth, the Festival added a third day and broke all previous Festival attendance records.

The new millennium has not slowed the pattern of success and challenge for the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. Shortly after the 1999 Festival, Board Members were surprised to hear that the management firm that had assisted the Board of Directors in administering the Festival would no longer be able to continue in that role. With little more than a sigh, the Board reviewed its options and executed its traditional "committee process" deciding to hire its first Executive Director (today entitled Executive Manager) and necessary staff, locate new offices, and open for business, with a goal of having this major change transparent to its loyal fans. You be the judge!

One might ask, "Just what does the future hold for the Monterey Bay Blues Festival?" Proposals have been made to "package" the Festival to other parts of the country. Corporate America has offered to "buy" the Festival (XYZ Corp. presents...). Discussions have included the idea of a "Blues Museum." And suggestions have even been made to relocate the Festival so more of America can experience the flavor of the unique Monterey Bay Blues Festival.

One thing for sure (at this time), the Board of Directors volunteer more time today than ever before; local control is a priority; increasing scholarships for youth pursuing the arts and local non-profits supporting youth and the arts is essential; and preservation and perpetuation of the "Blues" remains something that is not negotiable.

The 24th Annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival will be held in 2009 on June 26, 27, and 28. This will be another "must attend" event where quality talent, generous and giving people come together to enjoy beautiful days in a "blues" heaven on earth!

Call (831) 394-2652 for ticket info or tickets will be available at the door.

(Front Row, left to right) Billy F. DeBerry; Dr. Elisha Brandon (Deceased); Martin Puentes-Secretary; LTC (Retired) Morris McDaniel-President; Dr. Henry T. Hutchins (Deceased); (Back Row, left to right) Augustia Lewis-Treasurer; James Manning; Sam Karas (Deceased); Franklin Washington; Josh Stewart; and Elmer Phillips. Not pictured are Attorney Warren Robbins-Legal Advisor, (Deceased); COL. (Retired) Otis Jones; William Jackson (Deceased); Ron Harold and Reuben Simpson.

Monterey Bay Blues Festival
PRESIDENTS

1985-1988 Morris McDaniel
1988-1992 Billy DeBerry
1992-1994 Lewis Jackson
1994-1996 Mary Ellen Harris
1996-2000 Fred Davis
2000-2002 Dr. Gwendolyn W. Laster
2002-2004 Fred Davis
2004-2005 Gus Lewis

2005-Present   MBBF President Billy DeBerry

2005-2007 Board of Directors
Executive Committee:

President - Billy DeBerry
1st Vice President - Reuben Simpson
2nd Vice President - Billy Baker
Recording Secretary - Joe Watson
Treasurer - Josh Stewart
Finance Secretary - Gwen Laster
Director-at-Large - Mary Ellen Harris
Immediate Past President - Fred Davis
Legal Advisor - Robert T. Hatcher Esq.

Directors:
Jim Claypool
Lee Durley
Mary Ellen Harris
Julie C. Paisant
Will Wallace
Joe Watson

Ex-Officio Directors:
Rick Buvia
Michael Fields
Michael Klein
Alan Richmond
Pat Coniglio
Sherman Smith
Robert T. Hatcher Esq.

Associate Directors:
Robert Allen
Darryl Choates
Willie B. Smith

Outreach Directors:
Joan Harris
Shirley Harris
Rex N. Miller
Bobbie J. Redic
A. Lee Scott

Emeritus Director:
Gus Lewis
Martin Puentes

MBBF Office Staff:
Executive Manager - Vivian Waldrup-Patterson