The 17th Annual Julian Blues Bash was held on the pastoral grounds of the Menghini Winery in Julian on June 20. Out of the six bands that performed that day (for approximately an hour each) we were able to experience the Boscoe France Band and the Gino Matteo Band. Both of these bands showcased incredible talents that were larger than life, as throngs of admirers braved the heat of the sun in waves of rhythmic bliss before the large stage. More folks sat in picnic-like areas under tents and trees while others checked out the booths that lent a fair-like quality to the ingenious production of Rob Bower- combining great music in a beautiful country setting with food, booze and other good stuff. A cool aside was the zydeco music of the Bayou Brothers on a smaller "backporch" area. This local San Diego band delivered a foot-stomping party-going music with the help of an accordion, guitar, bass, drums and rub board. The rub board is really just a wash board sometimes used in jazz, zydeco and old-time music as a percussion instrument. I can't think of a better way to get out of doing the laundry.