Special to the Eagle Motor City Josh will be among the headliners for this year’s Southwest Florida Blues Festival.

The members of the Matlacha Mariners have presented the Southwest Florida Blues Festival for 10 years, attracting music enthusiasts from far and wide.

Beginning as just a small gathering of local musicians, the event has grown in leaps and bounds, so much so, that the Mariners have deemed it necessary to seek a larger venue.

This year’s event will be held at the German-American Club on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.

“In order for us to fulfill the demands of growing crowds and to continue to attract national acts, we found we had no choice but to move the festival to a larger facility,” said Mariner president Wayne Reed. “Even though we have moved the event off-island, this is still very much a Pine Island event. Most of the vendors participating at the event are from the island and all of the proceeds from this event will go directly back to the island in the form of donations to the elementary school music program, island youth groups, senior citizen support networks and other island charities.”

This year’s festival is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature acts from Mississippi to Detroit with favorites from Pine Island.

Among those headlining the show will be the group Motor City Josh and the Big 3. Members of the group include Josh Ford on vocals and guitar, Johnny Rhoades on guitar and vocals, Alex Lyon on bass and Eric Savage on drums.

A Detroit native, Josh Ford and his band are now based out of Chicago and perform approximately 300 shows each year. Josh’s latest CD “CD 44” is a tribute to the legendary bluesman, the late Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett.

Nationally known touring artists, Moreland and Arbuckle also are slated to perform at this year’s festival. The recipients of dozens of accolades, “Guitar Edge” magazine named guitarist Aaron Moreland as one of today’s 10 blues legends in the making and in “Blues Review” magazine it was written that Moreland and Arbuckle were a Grade-A Mississippi blues musicians.

Music award nominee, Robin Rogers has played in numerous venues taking her from Michigan to Georgia. She signed with Big Pig Records in 2008 and debuted with the label with “Treat Me Right.” She also was nominated for the prestigious Best Female Blues Artist in 2009 and in 2007 her song, “Colorblind Angel” took second place in the International Song writer’s Competition.

Recently nominated for a Grammy, Shane Dwight is said to be a hard-charging blues rocker and has been compared to the style of George Thorogood. Dwight also will grace the stage at the Blues Festival and is sure to draw attendees to their feet.

Larry Grisham and his new band, the Beat Daddys, also have a total of seven Grammy nominations and while originally from Indiana, have grasped the soul of the blues with both hands. Front man Larry Grisham is an accomplished harmonica player, guitarist and provides vocals for the group, which includes Fred James on guitar and Waldo Latowsky on drums.

Saxophone player Terry Hanck, of JP Soars and the RedHots, has paid his dues over a 30-year career and recently was recognized with a nomination for Blues Music Award for Best Blues Instrumentalist. Backing him up during his Florida gig, JP Soars is an accomplished performer in his own right as he was the recipient of the Albert King Blues Guitar award and took home top honors during the 2009 International Blues Challenge.

Last but certainly not least will be Pine Island’s hometown legends, Deb and the Dynamics. Attracting crowds to weekly performances at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha each Thursday, this group is known throughout southwest Florida for its high-energy performances which runs the gambit from hot blues licks to Motown, R&B and many covers and original works. Fronting the band, Deb Salyer’s powerful vocals round out this ultimate party band.

Admission to the Blues Festival will be $15 at the gate or $10 for advance ticket purchases. Children ages 11 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.

Local ticket outlets for advance tickets are Bert’s Bar and Grill, Traders Hitching Post and Pine Bay Gallery in Matlacha, Froggy’s in St. James City, Pine island Printing Co. in Bokeelia, the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, First Note Music, and Rainbow Records in Cape Coral and Scissorhands Salon and Barber Shop in Fort Myers. Tickets also are available on line by going to Southwest FloridaBluesFestival.com or MatlachaMarines.org

In addition to hours of great music, the festival also will offer food, beverages and art and craft vendors. Ample parking is available at the German-American Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road, in Cape Coral and lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged, however, coolers, outside beverages and pets will not be permitted.