Doheny Blues Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with Joe Walsh, Melissa Etheridge and more

Thousands of blues enthusiasts are expected to stake out spots and lounge under the sun at the 20th annual Doheny Blues Festival on May 20 and 21 at Doheny State Beach.

Headlining this year’s milestone is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Joe Walsh, best known for his contributions to the Eagles; Melissa Etheridge’s Memphis Rock & Soul, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, roots rocker Chris Isaak and soul singer Mavis Staples.

The celebration, hosted on three alternating stages of blues, rock and soul, will feature legendary artists alongside rising stars, including Casey Hensley, Whiteboy James & The Blues Express and Samantha Fish.

“Blues music is a part of a lot of root music, and there are plenty of new artists who base their music on blues,” said Rich Sherman, festival producer and president of Omega Events. “We try to have a crossover lineup, where there’s plenty offered on the bill and for people to enjoy and support all these artists.”

This year’s lineup is considered the strongest, Sherman said, and with the recent passing of Chuck Berry and James Cotton, the event comes as a privilege to honor music legends, while introducing fans to new artists.

The festival, founded in 1998, continues to receive praise and recognition as one of the top blues music festivals in the nation, featuring 24 sets of music in a state park.

With its two main stages at opposite ends and a third stage in a tree-lined bowl, the festival also hosts various attractions, including vendors, VIP viewing areas, an international food court and wine lounge.

“This is one of the cooler festivals in the summertime,” said Fish, a blues guitarist and singer and songwriter who will be performing May 21. “I’m drawn to expressing myself in this genre because I grew up in Kansas City with the Mississippi blues. I expect the show to be really energetic and dynamic.”

Fish, who in 2012 won Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, released her fourth solo album, “Chills & Fever,” in March. The album covers songs from the ’60s and ’70s and was recorded in Detroit with members of The Detroit Cobras.

She plans to perform melodies from the album that include works by Jackie DeShannon, Jerry Ragavoy, Bert Berns and Allen Toussaint. It’s an album she described as a mix of rocking rhythm n’ blues.

Sherman said several unique stories from past Doheny Blues Festivals developed over the years.

He remembered the first of three times B.B. King played at the festival and how Etta James always struck him as someone special. Despite her declining health and positioning in a wheelchair, she always connected with her audience, delivering her sultry soul music.

“We try to produce an event with a lot of facets delivered in a perfect venue,” Sherman said, noting he expects about 10,000 attendees each day. “We saw an event that could be entrenched in the community and that we could bring it to Dana Point. In no way in our minds did we think we’d get 20 years, but we continue to have a great lineup and it’s a special event.”

The 20th annual Doheny Blues Festival is from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 20 and 21 at Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive. For more information and tickets, visit dohenybluesfestival.com.

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Twitter: @KathleenLuppi