Volunteering
in San Luis Obispo

The San Luis Obispo Blues Society is the third oldest blues society in the United States. We’re kinda proud of that. So, when I was invited to volunteer to be on the Exec. Board of this non-profit (after the Covid hiatus), I was very much into it.

Here on the Central Coast, we are completely spoiled by a great deal of enormously talented musicians who play at local venues, wine bars, restaurants and well, everywhere.

But there’s always been something super special about the Blues Society, and I wanted to “give back” to one of the things I enjoy the most in San Luis Obispo County: LIVE MUSIC!

When I came on board in 2023, there was a major exodus of prior volunteer board members. The website was non-existent, the email addresses were not working, the person maintaining the Facebook page was nowhere to be found, and a whole slew of other roadblocks.

At that time, I didn’t realize how much fun I was going to have (or how much work I’d have to donate).

For each show, first, our booking agent (James Scoolis) lets me know which artists he booked and where and when. Then, I whip together a unique look for each concert. I either tackle the posters or the website first, depending on the band(s) booked. I also design 3 - 4 matching email campaigns, and (usually, if I have time) I also design Facebook graphics for each show.

Tracking down whatever content I can find online for the artists is almost as time consuming as building the landing page for the show. Those are the little things I know are important to establishing a professional brand.

I continue to be responsible for the website design for each, show, posters, yada yada: the kind of work I’ve been doing my entire career.

*Sadly, with all the excellent, free local music every night of the week within San Luis Obispo county, the Blues Society might be going on hiatus soon since the only way we can stay alive is by ticket sales. The band fees, the insurance, the janitorial, security, etc. have all increased so much from earlier days, that a non-profit blues society event may no longer be a viable business plan for the Central Coast. (*posted 12/2025)