03 May Telluride Blues & Brews presents Durango Blues Train
[click “Play”, Steve Gumble talks about “Blues on the Rails”]
kicker: “Blues on the Rails” launches June 4
The name “Steve Gumble” rhymes with innovation.
Gumble’s first party trick was to parlay the ownership of a liquor store into a world class festival: now in its 18th year, Telluride Blues & Brews is more robust than ever. Acts this year range from Willie Nelson (yes, the iconic country star also has a blues history), to The Flaming Lips, Big Head Todd and the Monster, Dweezil Zappa, Mavis Staples, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, and more.
Can you top that? Yes, Gumble has managed to pull another rabbit out of his hat – a big steel rabbit: The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad have joined forces to present the brand new Durango Blues Train. The inaugural ride for “Blues on the Rails” takes place June 4, 2011.
The train itself, the very same train featured in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” has been in constant operation for over 125 years, carrying passengers behind 10 vintage coal-fired, coach rail cars, steam-powered locomotives, through the San Juan National Forest – and through history. Although the line was constructed primarily to haul gold and silver ore out of the San Juan Mountains from the get-go – the estimate is over $300 million in precious metals – the railroad was always also promoted as a scenic route for passenger service. Add music to the mix – two full bands and five solo artists – and you get a rolling party on tracks. Or, what Blues & Brews describes as a “moving musical experience.”
“This concept has been in the works for several years and we are excited to finally bring it to life,” said Gumble.
“Blues on the Rails” boards at 6:45 p.m. from the Durango train depot, hits the tracks at 7:15 p.m., and arrives back in Durango at 10:10 p.m. Tickets, $95 per person, plus handling fees, are extremely limited. (Purchasers must be 21 years old to participate.)
For more information or to purchase tickets to the Durango Blues Train visit www.Durangobluestrain.com or call 1.866.515.6166.
Ready to climb aboard? Click the “play” button and listen to Steve Gumble talk about his latest adventure.
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