Jerry Doucette and Delta 88 are teaming up again at the Tsawwassen Sun Festival.

Doucette, a local guitarist and singer-songwriter, performed with the band at last year's event and had a fun time doing so.

"We're jamming around and having a good time. It's great. There's beautiful weather and [we're] having a good time with it," he says.

The blues, soul and funk band will take the Century Group Main Stage with Doucette on Monday at 4:15 p.m.

Doucette, a Ladner resident for the last 11 years, is a Juno Award winner known for the 1977 hit Mama Let Him Play.

He was the recipient of the inaugural Mentor of the Arts award, which was presented by the Sun Festival committee at last year's event.

"That was very nice, [it was] special," he says.

Delta 88 drummer Dave McIlroy, who's also the Tsawwassen Business Association president and organizing the stage entertainment for Sun Fest, says performing with Doucette takes things to another level.

"Every musician I've ever spoken to, who's had that opportunity, has said the same thing: he's a consummate professional and he raises everybody's game. You just feel you're one notch up. He's a pro," says McIlroy.

Doucette, who was born in Montreal and grew up in Hamilton and Toronto, got his first guitar when he was six and joined his first band, the Reefers, at age 11. His debut album, Mama Let Him Play, went platinum in Canada and while touring in the U.S. he opened for the likes of Bob Welch, Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead), Eddie Money and Meat Loaf.

Doucette is still keeping busy with shows and planned to return today from a pair of gigs earlier this week in Saskatchewan.

McIlroy doesn't mince words when it comes to the quality of this year's stage lineup.

"It will be undoubtedly the most exciting lineup of talent that has ever played the Sun Festival," he says.

Another returning group is the Little Brother Band, a folk/rock quintet from Vancouver.

"They were really spectacular [last year], the crowd loved them. They had two encores and probably could have played all afternoon," says McIlroy.

The group, which features Wes Reamsbottom on acoustic guitar and vocals, Dan Myers on electric guitar and vocals, Kelly McQuillan on keyboards, tenor saxophone, and vocals, Davis Friesen on bass and Tyler Friesen on drums, released their second album, Thicker Than Water, in May.

While two groups originally in the lineup have had to cancel, McIlroy has brought in Sam and Luke as well as roots and blues guitarist and singer Oliver Conway.

Sam and Luke, teen brothers from White Rock, play a blend of pop, rock and blues and have recorded a debut CD in Nashville.

"These guys are incredibly professional and are beginning their recording career," says McIlroy.

Monday's Century Group Main Stage schedule:

Noon - Krista Marshall

12:25 p.m. - Brittany Hebenton

12:55 p.m. - Profound Sound

1:45 p.m. - Sam and Luke

2:30 p.m. - Oliver Conway

3:15 p.m. - The Little Brother Band

4:15 p.m. - Delta 88 featuring Jerry Doucette

Delta School District Dance Stage schedule:

12:45 p.m. - Flow/Free Flight Dance

2:15 p.m. - Thai Dancers

3 p.m. - Los Gitanos