Andre Smith, a Watsonville High graduate, has been the promoter of Monterey Bay ReggaeFest since its beginning 15 years ago.

Watsonville High School grad Andre Smith, the promoter of Monterey Bay ReggaeFest, has been around music all of his life.

Smith moved to Watsonville with his family in 1967 and started attending Salsipuedes Elementary. His father, a minister, founded Mount Olive Temple Church of God in Christ in Pajaro in 1963, and Smith and his siblings played in a gospel band that appeared at the church and others throughout California.

The family resided on Parkwood Drive and likely left an impression.

"We practiced a lot in the garage," Smith said. "I'm sure some of the neighbors liked it and some didn't."

Smith said his brother, Kenny King Smith, the only sibling still performing, is the top Barry White impersonator in the country.

"We were always involved in music," Smith said. "Coming up from the church, it was just automatic. And the production part of it just came with it."

Smith graduated from Watsonville High in 1974 and moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1990. Both of his parents have since passed, his father in 1992 and his mother in 2001. He has been married to his wife, Pamela, for 20 years and has three grown children.

Smith makes his living as an educator, working individually with mentally disabled and autistic students in the Monterey Peninsula School District. He coached basketball at Seaside High School for 17 years, but 15 years ago he began his side career in music promotion when his friend Robert Brown had the idea of starting a reggae festival. Smith joined the effort and the first Monterey Bay ReggaeFest was held on Labor Day weekend in 1995. But tragedy struck soon after when Brown had a massive heart attack and died the following February. That left Smith to decide whether or not to turn the festival into an annual event.

"The second one was a memorial to him (Brown)," Smith said. "Then we did a third and a fourth — and it just hasn't stopped."

The 15th annual ReggaeFest will begin July 30 and will run through Aug. 1. It will be the first time the event has not been held on Labor Day. Among the top acts are Third World, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Katchafire and Barrington Levy.

"This is the first year we are not on Labor Day, so we are more of a summerfest this year," Smith said. "So far it's been good. We don't have to compete with the traditions of Labor Day, especially Burning Man. And we have a great lineup."

Smith said he expects at least 4,000 fans each day. He said he has distributed close to 100,000 flyers, has put up posters and TV commercials should be appearing soon. All of it takes a lot of preparation and Smith said he will start organizing next year's event as soon as this one ends.

"I just have to have faith and hope that it's going to happen," Smith said. "Jah always works it out for us."

Smith said ReggaeFest is a little different from other music festivals because he really focuses on having something for the whole family. There is a free play area with jump houses, a giant slide, face-painting and video games. There will also a be a three-on-three basketball tournament. Baskeball games tip off at noon and there will be divisions for sixth-grade boys and girls, as well as middle schooler and high school students.

"This is a festival for everyone — all ages — everybody," Smith said. "We definitely want families to come."

The festival is also holding a canned food drive and attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable foods to benefit Monterey County food pantries. Attendees who bring three items will receive a $5 coupon to the show.

Smith said he is really excited about the food drive and the basketball tournament, both of which are new additions — and he foresees these being part of the festival's future.

"Hopefully we can maintain this festival at the fairgrounds and not outgrow it and just keep it going," he said. "I would like to see the 30th annual one day or maybe even the 50th."

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For information on tickets, the basketball tournament or the food drive, visit www.mbayreggaefest.net/the-festival.php.

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