The 12th annual Mel Bay Music Festival will be held this weekend in downtown De Soto.
Jim Thomas, organizer of the festival, said the event is named after De Soto’s most famous musician. Mel Bay (who was born in 1913 and died in 1997) grew up in De Soto and went on to found Mel Bay Publications for his series of books teaching people how to play guitar and other instruments.
“We have a great lineup at three locations over the course of the weekend,” Thomas said.
Admission to the concerts are free.
PDA: Public Display of Affection will perform from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Kozzy’s, 516 N. Main St. Mosher Bay will perform swingin’ jazz and blues from 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday at El Lobo Rojo, 106 N. Main St. Gerry Huggins will perform sax music from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Sherwoods Classic Eats, 122 N. Main St.
Thomas said this will be PDA’s first time performing at the festival. He said PDA consists of a married couple from the St. Louis area who play various genres. Charlie Barrale plays acoustic guitar, and Julia Barrale plays the violin and fiddle. He said the music that night will be geared toward deer widows.
Thomas is glad to have Mosher Bay back. The band is a longtime supporter of the festival. The band consists of Ted Mosher on bass and Larry Bay, Mel Bay’s nephew, on guitar. He said Larry is from De Soto and has given guitar lessons over the years.
Thomas said this will be Huggins’ second time performing at the festival. Huggins, originally from California, lives in the Farmington area and is a master saxophone player, he said.
Thomas said he plays a lot of pop and jazz favorites.
“He brings three or four different saxophones to play,” Thomas said. “He played last year and was a crowd favorite.”
Thomas said the festival is a good way to celebrate Mel Bay’s legacy as a music pioneer who created methods to teach guitar. He said many musicians used his teachings to learn how to play the guitar.
He said musicians from all over the country and of many genres have played at the festival.
“In a couple weeks, there will be a big announcement to further his legacy,” Thomas said.