The Central Coast is celebrated for many things, but the level of philanthropy found here is definitely a jewel in the area’s crown. Locals are generous for sure, but they are many other things too, like live music fans.
Pairing fundraising and live music was a no-brainer for local country artist JD Hardy, who reached out to some local businesses and organizations for the inaugural 805 Country Music Festival and AG Show happening on June 24.
“We want to do something where we can really bless somebody that’s living and breathing amongst us,” Hardy said.
Hardy found a supportive venue in Rooney’s Irish Pub for an hours-long live music event. He will perform, of course, but so will locals Dylan Ortega and Charlie McNeal and touring country duo Terra Bella.
The 805 Country Music Festival and AG Show will all be in benefit of Band of Brothers, a local nonprofit group that supports veterans through recreational sports and community, Hardy said. The organization is open to veterans from all branches of military to join its softball league and enjoy support and exercise together.
“For them to all to come together and see a need, like PTSD, and attacking the veteran suicide rate, for me, it’s a great cause,” Hardy said. “And it’s a great cause to throw a party. We can throw a party for anything, but might as well do it and help somebody out.”
Finding a solid audience for the festival shouldn’t be a challenge, Hardy said, as there’s a strong country music fan community on the Central Coast, but he’s still trying to get the word out.
That’s why reaching out to charting country duo Terra Bella was important too, he said, to get a variety of country artists out for an afternoon celebrating food, drink, and performance.
“They’ve had some really good success with their new single, ‘You’ve Got That Something,’” he said. “And besides being great performers, they’re just great people, so everybody’s going to enjoy them.”
The festival also includes the “AG Show” part of the event that highlights the work of local farmers and ranchers, Hardy said. There will be representatives and displays including Valley AG Supply, Cal Coast Machinery, John Deere, and Babe Farms.
The festival will also be filmed as part of a TV show that Hardy and Noble Productions are currently working on called The Real California, which reveals that California is more than “beaches and bikinis,” Hardy said. The show highlights the local agriculture, wine, beer, and restaurant industries with Hardy as host, including his country music throughout the show.
According to Hardy, The Real California is all about Californians who work hard, play hard, and make quality food, drink, or music. The Band of Brothers fall under that paradigm perfectly, Hardy said, and he’s happy to support them with the inaugural 805 Country Music Festival and AG Show.
“That’s about as American as it gets. These guys went and put their lives up on the line and vowed to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” he said. “We’ve got those guys here too. There’s a strong group of veterans right here in our backyard in Santa Maria.
“They fit right in, they’re just good ole boys and gals,” he added. “I really enjoy all of them.”
Managing Editor Joe Payne enjoys live music for a good cause. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 22-29, 2017.