The summer season in Durango, Colorado heats up with the announcement of the artist lineup for the Durango Blues Train on June 2 & 3. The list of the artists set to play the summertime event on June 2 & 3 includes returning veteran artists, internationally acclaimed blues acts and up-and-coming performers. The June lineup features Phil Wiggins and George Kilby Jr., Felix Y Los Gatos, A.J. Fullerton featuring Nic Clark, Ben Prestage, Grant Sabin and Chris Yakopcic.
For 30 years, Phil Wiggins was half of the internationally acclaimed acoustic blues duo "Cephas and Wiggins". Wiggins is widely regarded as one of the best harmonica players in the blues genre. Joined by George Kilby Jr., an artist whose sound has been called everything from New Orleans R&B to Alternative Country, the two combine masterful harmonica playing and unique songwriting to create an immersive bluesy, folksy performance.
On the opposite end of the train will be Felix Y Los Gatos with a unique style of Tex-Mex Zydeco. Hailing from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Felix Y Los Gatos are best known for their blend of diverse genres. South-Westerners call it "Zydejano", a fusion of New Orleans Zydeco and Texan/Northern Mexican Ranchero music. Regardless of the classification, this party band will have the train rocking.
Returning for his second train appearance, A.J. Fullerton brings smooth vocals, nimble finger-picking, raw bottleneck slide, and a steady thump of his homemade stomp-box. Alongside A.J., 21-year-old vocalist and harmonica phenom Nic Clark will be debuting his skills. The pair of Colorado natives form a vibrant duo that is perfect for the lively atmosphere on the train.
Adding to the cadre of talent, Ben Prestage joins the bill with an interesting approach to instrumentation and original songwriting. Prestage combines a unique fingerstyle guitar with harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar, foot-drums, and vocals. He has proven himself to be a core element of the future of American Blues, Roots, and Americana.
Giving riders a glimpse of the future of blues is young singer, songwriter and guitar virtuoso Grant Sabin. Sabin delivers the excitement of rhythmic mysticism while drawing in his audience into the experience.
Rounding out the June lineup is International Blues Challenge finalist Chris Yakopcic. Wielding a charming small town voice, Yakopcic's performance is complete with smooth storytelling and precise finger picking guitar work.
Blues Train tickets are now on sale. Tickets are $100 per person per night, plus a Historic Train Preservation fee. Tickets for Saturday night have already sold out and Friday tickets are now limited. Purchasers must be 21 years old to participate. Tickets are available online here and over the phone at (888) 512-7469.
Tickets and the artist lineup for August 18 & 19 will be released later this spring. For more information, click here.