Organizers deem first Pee Dee Blues Bash a success

By: | SCNow
Published: November 08, 2009

The first Pee Dee Blues Bash wrapped up Sunday afternoon with a performance at Barnes Street Activity Center by Bishopville native Drink Small, “the Blues Doctor.”

At the last of the 24 shows that played in four days, the crowd was still clapping and excited to be there.

The entire festival was deemed a huge success by organizers and attendees. The venues were packed, and the dozen sponsors of the event were happy with the money and exposure it brought to them.

“The average sponsorship was about $2,000, because this is not an inexpensive venue,” said [resident of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the festival, Tom Marschel.

But he said the restaurant and hotel sponsors he spoke with are pleased with their combined investment of the $24,000 to cover artist and production costs.

Gary Erwin, aka Shrimp City Slim, organizes a total of eight blues festivals in South Carolina throughout the year. He said that not only are the sponsors thrilled with the turnout and success, the bands themselves were able to promote and sell their CDs.

“Because it’s a totally free event, we encouraged the artists to sell their CDs,” he said. “At the restaurants, bars and the Pecan Festival, we put out tip jars, and people have very generously come up and put something in the bucket for the band.”

But Erwin said the tips are about more than just the money.

“The community’s generosity creates a personal connection between the band and the people,” Erwin said.

The first Pee Dee Blues Bash made its mark on the area, and the planning for next year’s event has already begun.

“Make sure to mark your calendars for Nov. 4 to Nov. 7 of next year for the second annual event,” Erwin said.