DOCK OF BAY MAKING MORE NOISE ON MARE ISLAND
Second annual event features music, food and excellent view
As far as local music festivals go, organizers Kevin Frazier and Jeff Trager know that the Dock of Bay Festival is the “new kid on the block.”
That block, however, is getting bigger — with one of the best views.
Hundreds enjoyed music with a view during great weather at the second annual Dock of Bay Festival on Saturday at Mare Island, with eight bands playing on two stages with the Mare Island Strait in the background. Trager said the biggest factor the second time around is that more people knew about the event.
“Last year there was an uncertainty with COVID and that was a real big problem,” Trager said. “People heard about this event this time. Last year nobody knew what the hell we were doing. This year I'm running all over the place and I'm hearing people say, `I heard about it, I heard about it.' That was a big key.
“We're the new kids on the block and we feel we have to prove ourselves,” Trager continued. “And I think we're doing that today, absolutely.”
Trager said he wanted to keep up the theme of bringing great music to the event.
“We're not trying to beat BottleRock,” Trager said. “BottleRock is different in that they've done this for eight or nine years and they have major headliners. Our goal is to walk around and see people smiling. Every one of these bands is great. All these guys played with Carlos Santana, Joe Satri
ani, Zac Brown, Steve Miller …. should it be on the big stage? In another time, yes. But we went with four headlining bands and every one of them is good. I mean Karl Denson (one of the headliners) played with the Rolling Stones.”
“Last year Fantastic Negrito played here and eventually went to BottleRock,” Trager continued. “Are we a gateway to BottleRock. We don't try to be, but if that's what it is, great.”
Karl Denson was one of four headliners, along with Eric Gales, The Mother Hips and Vinyl. Lorin Rowan, Deep Blue Jam, Alvon Johnson, Miles Schon and Carlos Reyes.
“I loved the nostalgia,” Michelle Henry Ford said. “They are playing music from the `70s and `80s from other artists who are wonderful worldwide. I knew the lineup but I didn't know the music, so this is a nice surprise and now I'm a fan. I also love the people and the food is going to be awesome. The view, the sun, Vallejo is amazing.”
Henry Ford had just met Lori Winter, who was nearby and asked who was playing on the second stage.
“I heard this band and they sound so amazing and I got to see who this is,” Lori Winter said. “I'm familiar with the main stage bands but not the second stage bands. I'm here to see The Mother Hips and Karl Denson. I love Karl Denson. But these guys (Carlos Reyes) really blew me away.”
Reyes, who lived in Oakland for years, also enjoyed playing the event. What did he like the most?
“Everything, everything,” Reyes said. “It's been great to have local talent here and Jeff and Kevin have done a great job of getting this off the ground. I love getting to play with my homeboys here because I'm in town. It's been a lot of fun. I met Kevin and Jeff a long time ago. I loved that there were a lot of people here to listen at this time of the day.”
Frazier was also busy during the day making sure there were a lot of smiles on people's faces.
“I think there is a brand recognition a little bit with us, but it's still going to take a while,” Frazier said. “We've learned a lot. There are more organization things and behindthe-scenes stuff I originally didn't know but there is more we can still do for the customer experience. We have 20 people helping out today, but we need around 30 to 35 people. So it's part of the learning.”
Frazier didn't hesitate, however, when asked what was the best thing about the venue.
“The weather,” Frazier said, with a laugh. “Where we are and the location. I mean look at this location and the weather. It floors me. All the bands say they have never played a place so beautiful.”