A Recap of The Recent MALIBU GUITAR FESTIVAL!

The Malibu Guitar Festival took place April 28th through May 1st in Malibu, California.

Unless otherwise stated, all photos are courtesy of Malibu Guitar Festival, Rogers & Cowan and Dawlin Photography.

It all started when Malibu Guitar Festival co-founder Doug Deluca, a music and guitar lover who lives in Malibu, partnered with good friend John Watkin in an effort to bring a high level music and entertainment experience to the seaside town. The duo saw an opportunity to bring the community together, by securing globally renowned, award-winning musicians to perform, while also supporting local musicians and giving back to charity. Steve Ferrone, drummer for Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, was tapped to become the festival’s Music Director.

“The iconography of the guitar and the backdrop of Malibu are a perfect combination for this beautiful event inspired by a passion for music and a love of community,” said DeLuca, adding “the artists and supporters that have come together will insure the event’s success and growth well into the future.”

Beatles Bruch with Deluca, Babiuk and Watkin

The community and outlying regions have fully embraced their concept, which was recently awarded with a Malibu Times’ “Dolphin Award” in recognition of their service, commitment and contribution to Malibu. The 2015 Malibu Guitar Festival raised more than $30,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, Little Kids Rock and the Malibu Special Education Foundation.

So here are the highlights from this year’s Malibu Guitar Festival:

• The Malibu Guitar Festival raised over $90,000 this year for their three charities:  Mending Kids, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu and Therasurf.

• The Malibu Guitar Festival spent two days visiting area schools and offering the kids performances with Laurence Juber (WINGS guitarist) and up and comer Lyric Dubee.

• The festival opener featured performances by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph, The Empty Hearts, Albert

Photo Credit- Melanie Escombe-Wolhuter

• Lee and Steve Ferrone (Music Director of MGF).  Owen Wilson and Minnie Driver were in attendance.

• Day Two of the festival was off the charts with a packed house and an epic set by RSO featuring Richie Sambora and Orianthi. The great Albert Lee also performed with surprise guest Peter Asher also joining.

• The Main Festival Day was welcomed by the community and outlying regions.  In addition to headliners Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eddie Money and Robert Randolph performing with the Kenneth Brian Band with Steve Ferrone on drums, The Empty Hearts wowed the crowd with originals and classic hits from Blondie and The Cars, Dale Watson really turned up the twang, Zepparella – an all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute band through down the hard rock, metal, blues vibe, and Cody Simpson showed his serious musicianship bypasses his teen throb image.  Mel Gibson was seen catching his son-in-law’s set (Kenny Wayne Shepherd).

Photo Credit- Malibu Guitar Festival

• The closing Beatles Brunch at The Sunset included performances by The Tearaways, Laurence Juber, Albert Lee and Lyric Dubee, along with a “Beatles Gear” presentation by author/musician Andy Babiuk (also in The Empty Hearts).  Clem Burke and Wally Palmar from The Empty Hearts attended in support of Babiuk.

  (Read an interview with Clem here.)

Richie Sambora and Orianthi

Photo Credit- Melanie Escombe-Wolhuter Robert Randolph and Kenneth Brian Band

Albert Lee

The Tearaways