When Eddie Cochrane declared “there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues” in 1958 the blues were pretty much a euphemism for being in a rut.

But if you were one of the organizers of, artists showcased or fans attending the first Kitsap Blues Music Festival this weekend, the blues looked like a pretty good rut to be in.

The collaborative effort between the Admiral Theatre and the Kitsap Fair and Stampede Association hosted 20 bands/artists over the three days of the Labor Day Weekend. Daily attendance varied, but there were over 500 weekend passes sold, with over 250 attending for some acts.

Jamie Jensen, fair secretary, and executive director Brian Johnson and operations director Nate Murphy, both of Admiral Theatre, said attendance wasn’t the litmus test for success, and never has been. Johnson said while Admiral Theatre always has a busy winter season, summers typically are much less so. So while it’s been thinking of a summer event for years, it wasn’t until February that the planning for this event really got going.

Collaborators also included the Washington Blues Society, Cascade Public Broadcasting, and radio station KNKX, as well as dozens of volunteers. One volunteer, John Kessler, who hosts a six-hour blues show twice a week on KNKX, was the emcee for much of the festival. He said he was sold on the idea once he learned the band lineup, which he said was straight out of his own show’s discography.

Johnson, Murphy, and Jensen said they wanted to bring folks to Kitsap who would not otherwise come to the Peninsula, and to provide folks with the chance to experience and enjoy the arts. But they also wanted to gain experience putting on an outdoor festival. As Johnson explained, things like weather, and having camping venues nearby, aren’t things they have to deal with for other Admiral activities. They hope the experience will pave the way for future success.

Some attendees did come from out of town. For example, Ann and Steve Johnson of Port Angeles saw the Tim Hall Band on Sunday. And Debbie Smith of Eugene, OR and twin sister Diane Hardin of Blaine are turning 60 this year, so they decided to travel together to accomplish some bucket list goals.

Johnson, Murphy and Jensen said they want to put on another festival, but will start earlier, like in October. They said they were more likely to expand the genres included in the blues festival before creating any different ones.

Tommy Castry performs with his Painkillers band at the festival.

The audience was spread out all over for the concerts.

Kara Hesse enjoys herself onstage at the festival.

Jontavis Willis belts out a song during his show at the festival.

It was an intimate setting for a concert this night at Van Zee Field.

Emcee John Kessler talks about the blues as a cultural phenomenon.

Nate Murphy talks about some of the challenges of organizing the festival.

A couple gets into the groove at Thunderbird Stadium.