Beer And Blues Fest

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Beer And Blues Fest
An Annual Tradition On Beach Street
2005-11-20
Article Written by: Bryan Munson

“Sometimes… I… feel like drinking some… gasoline,” J.W. Gilmore’s deep, raspy voice echoed across the street.

Drawing those words from a bluesman before him, cupping a microphone in one hand and a harmonica in the other, Gilmore’s gravelish vocals blended with the soothing metallic whine that began to push through the speakers. Going back and forth from words to instrument, stomping his feet emphatically, his face contorted as Daytona Blues Society president Jeff Fedora slung a few chords at him over the thump of Benji Benecasa’s drums, and then creased into a smile as percussion and guitar fell from a thunderous yell into a soft purr, led by a quiet, gutsy bass line.

It was everything and nothing all at once. It was the blues.

On a cool, electric Saturday night, patrons, vendors and local blues performers lined Beach Street from International to Orange for the 2nd Annual Beer and Blues Festival. Amidst the music, revelers could be found walking the blocks to see the hot rods and custom bikes that turned out, parked in the northbound lanes, and it was clear the beer flowed like wine (quote Lloyd Christmas), spilling from bars outward in a rush of inspiration and emotion. But the evening was as much a celebration of success for storefront owners and blues fans as it was for the man who helped orchestrate it all – and more notably – the music behind his inspiration.

“It’s Al Smith’s birthday,” Fedora, said, referring to the owner of Angel & Phelps Restaurant. “He’s been a long-time supporter of blues music, and his place has been a kind of hidden hot-spot for blues artists in this area to experiment and try a few different things. But the essence is to give people looking to get out a great time, hear some music and support Beach Street.”

While we were unable to catch up with Smith, we were able to catch up with the story. A little over two years ago, Smith brought the idea for the festival to the Daytona Beach Partnership. The Partnership is a coalition of Beach Street businesses that work together to promote Beach Street through various events and awareness. Smith’s enthusiasm for Blues music is no secret, and with the DBS chapter entering a period of rebirth with Fedora at the helm, all it took was a little coordination and planning to bring the festival off the paper and into the street. Although the figures weren’t in at press time, this year’s event was expected to draw around 10,000 people.

Blues music is historically one of the most visual forms of American music (is that an oxymoron? – eh, I digress). Wrought with emotion, the blues often share elements of happiness, sadness, sex, love and danger in a single line; it’s an affirmation of a journey in excess, yet exists as a search for redemption. It’s that conflict which gives any kind of music it’s soul, and blues music, with those slight adjustments in major scale tickling the hairs on the backs of our necks, gives the voice a truly contemplative landscape to explore. So many people welcome it’s sound because in short, poignant turns of phrase, blues music mimics our lives – seemingly simple, but layered with so much more.

“The focal point is probably the beer, because alcohol tends to give people a reason to come out,” Mike Bielecki, Vice President of the DBS, said. “But I think the real highlight is the music. People are drawn to the blues. It goes to the heart, to the soul. I think it speaks to a lot of people.”

Barbara Joyce is the Interim Director for the Partnership, and one of the key players involved in making the festival a reality. All business, Joyce looked pleased with the turnout and the purpose of the event, while also noting that the Partnership is more involved in the community than most realize.

“We’ve been in business for over 30 years, doing what we’re doing,” she said. “This is the second year of this festival, and we have a wide variety of other events that we sponsor. We’ve got a wine tasting coming up; in April of next year, we’re putting on the Sidewalk Art Show, and in May, a Rum Festival. We’re very involved in the Halifax Art Festival, and we do all the decorating of Downtown around the Holidays. We’re very happy at the turnout tonight, in all respects.”

Blues fans gathered to see performers at opposite ends of the strip, with notable performances by Lauren Ellis, Mark Hodgson, Anthony Wild, and two incarnations of the DBS All-Stars. Couples danced in front of stages, and people watching was almost as big a draw as the beer and music. Music has the unique ability to speak to the masses and allow us to render our thoughts into perspective, if only for a few hours. In those moments, people will always be themselves, but at events such as these, it’s common to see people unafraid to exist in their own little worlds with no strings attached to the larger one.

“We came last year and liked it, so we decided to come again,” Casandra Tilly, said. “It seemed bigger last year, though, with more variety in performances. But it’s still a good time. It’s nice to get out with my family and see this.”

As Daytona continues its quest to be a more family-friendly town, the events are changing. But there is no denying that the heart and guts of every event is what determines its success. Beach Street is working towards a renaissance, perhaps in the wake of the gradual changes bringing Main Street closer to an uncertain horizon. Shop and restaurant owners are working to do their part, and this event showcased their efforts. It also marked a coming-out party of sorts for the DBS, and how the DBS has grown in popularity and recognition over the course of almost two years. Membership and attendance at their events are on the rise, and the blues music once prevalent around town in the 90’s is rapidly making a comeback.

Perhaps Fedora summed up what the music and the event were about the best.

“We’re at a point with the DBS where the parts are bigger than the whole, and the whole is bigger than the parts,” Fedora said. “Every little bit works toward an end, but it takes that little effort from a big bunch of people to really be a catalyst in our movement. And that transcends music and life. We’ve got a load of great talent in the area, and we’re working on getting more regional pull and name recognition. But without the blues and it’s message, without working together, we might as well be standing on a corner singing our own songs to no one in particular.”

……………………….

The DBS gathers at the Bank & Blues every Wednesday, with an open jam from 8 – 10 where anyone who can play is welcome to sign-up; spotlighted bands grace the stage from 10 – midnight. There’s a cover of $3 for non-members, and $2 for members. Year memberships run $15, and there is no requirement to be a member other than being a fan of the blues. Bielecki freely admitted that he’s onboard because he loves the music even though he can’t play. Check them out on the web at www.daytonabluessociety.org.

For more information about the Daytona Beach Partnership, visit them online at www.downtowndaytonabeach.com.

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