Stu Heydon pulls together a dozen blues acts at the Barnyard.

Stu Heydon had already spent three decades as a dedicated, full-time bluesman before moving to Carmel 20 years ago.

“I’ve played every blues joint in North America,” Heydon says.

The Windsor, Ontario Canada native had shared the stage with everyone from Paul Butterfield and James Brown to John Lee Hooker and Taj Mahal. Heydon performed the Montreal Jazz Festival, Monterey Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Alabama Blues Festival, Mississippi Blues Festival and every other major gathering showcasing the blues.

When Heydon moved to the Peninsula, his focus shifted from building his own resume to gifting his knowledge to future generations. He taught music for six years at the Carmel Youth Center before opening Carmel Recording Studio, which is where he teaches – and produces – now.

“I’ve taught over 1,000 kids over the years,” Heydon says. “I think it’s done a lot of good.”

Eleven years ago, Heydon also started the little-known Monterey Blues & Roots Festival at Hidden Valley Music Center in Carmel Valley. Saturday marks the event’s 12th iteration and the dawning of a new era, with a change in venues and more publicity, thanks to some help from the Carmel Rotary, the Kiwanis and the Carmel Barnyard, which is hosting the festival in its courtyard.

Several familiar local favorites will appear, including Red Beans and Rice, Blues at 11, Rollin n’ Tumblin and the Stu Heydon Blues Band (Mike Branton on guitar, Michael Martinez and Bob Phillips on keys, Mike Lent on guitar, Ross Garren on harmonica, Celso Albertti on drums and Russ Campbell on bass), as well as longtime vocal luminary Lee Durley and rising country sweetheart Delaney Ann.

There will also be a slew of up-and-coming talent you may not be familiar with… yet. Highlights include singer Thelma Howard, whom you may recognize as the lovable greeter at the Sand City Costco, Cachagua singer/songwriter Rose Merrill, Post Ranch co-owner/former member of Sixties band the New Christy Minstrels Myles Williams, New Orleans jazz and blues pianist Richard Carr, singer/songwriter Jessica LeJeaune and 12-year-old guitar/violin/piano prodigy – who can conquer the Rubik’s Cube in 20 seconds – Nathan Nyugen.

12TH ANNUAL MONTEREY BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL. 2-9pm Saturday, June 4. The Barnyard Shopping Village, 3618 The Barnyard, Carmel. $25; $40/VIP (includes antipasti and Prosecco). www.TheBarnyard.com/events.com