Kyle Rowland Lights Up The Monterey Blues Festival

Photos by Michael Shea

After attending the Monterey Blues Festival for several years running, this was the first year the weather threw me a curve. With the festival held a little over a mile from Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA, it’s typically cool in the morning, heats up during the day, and cools down again at night. With that scenario in mind I showed up at 11 am wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. It didn’t take long before I was chilled and there weren’t any indications that it was ever going to warm up. It looked like a long, uncomfortable day. Back at the car sat my long pants, extra shirt, and a jacket. A lot of good they were going to do me. The festival only allows in and out privileges to a special few, and I wasn’t one of them this year. Luckily I ran into a friend (who shall remain nameless), who was one of those few. He lent me his special wristband that allowed in-and-out access, and I quickly exited. Even though my Miata was parked on a busy public boulevard, I managed to shimmy into warmer clothes within its tight confines. Warmly dressed, I returned to the festival.

Since the festival offers three different stages, I had, several days earlier, mapped out my strategy on what stage I wanted to visit and at what time. If you manage your time and don’t mind moving around a lot, you can see a good portion of each performers set. I only attended Saturday’s show, but I saw sixteen different acts in the twelve hours I was there. Lots of great music, with standouts for me being the father-son team called Twice as Good and Chubby Carrier And The Bayou Swamp Band. But in my opinion the highlight of the show was a young harmonica player of only eighteen years named Kyle Rowland.

Although I’m a guitar player myself, I’ve always loved the sound of a well-blown blues harp, and Kyle can bend notes with the best of them. I’d first seen him four years ago when he sat in with Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers at Coloma Blues Live! Cute little kid. Now 18 years old, the boy has become a man. Kyle commands the stage like an experienced bandleader. He cues the band, perfectly, banters with the audience, makes sure a well-played solo gets acknowledged, and tells historical stories about the band members (all of whom are at least three times his age!) All this between playing the hell out of his harp. As bass player Henry Oden told the crowd, “This is the future of the blues, y’all – give it up!”

Kyle Rowland

Even more than his connection with a harmonica, Kyle radiates a joy of playing music he obviously loves. His youthful enthusiasm is very appealing. Before his set, Kyle was in a T-shirt and jeans setting his gear up on stage. If you didn’t know who he was you’d think, “Oh look, that kid is setting up his father’s amplifier.” But when the music started, Kyle disappeared while his veteran band played a hot opening instrumental featuring Kevin Buron on keyboards. Then Kyle stepped out on stage wearing a sharp suit, black shirt, and good-looking tie. Killer.

Before playing his last song this year, he asked the audience, “I’m going to do something I’ve never done before. Is that alright?” Without waiting for the answer he pulled a Dan Resonator Chrome guitar off its stand. I’d seen him set it up before the set and wondered what that was about – Kyle is a harp player. But he played it capably – and also played a little slide – using his harmonica as the slide!

The Monterey Blues Festival is held each year over the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in June. The festival venue is the Monterey Fairgrounds. There are lots of vendors selling art, food, and clothing. I’ve gone five years running, and every year there is plenty of great music, food, and good times. The Monterey area is a fabulous scenic spot. Put a trip to California on your calendar for next June, so you can start making plans in early 2012 for next year’s festival.