Durango Blues Train: June Artist Line-up Announced, Limited Tickets

25 Feb Durango Blues Train: June Artist Line-up Announced, Limited Tickets

Durango Blues Train tickets are now on sale. Tickets are $100 per person per night, plus an Historic Train Preservation fee. Tickets for Saturday night are already sold out; Friday tickets are now limited. Purchasers must be 21-years-old to participate. Tickets are available online at www.durangobluestrain.com/tickets 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, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com. Scroll down to sample each of the acts in action.

The summer season in Durango, Colorado heats up with the announcement of the artist lineup for the Durango Blues Train on June 2 and 3, 2017.

The list of the artists set to play the early summertime event includes returning veteran artists, internationally acclaimed blues acts and up-and-coming performers: Phil Wiggins and George Kilby Jr., Felix Y Los Gatos, A.J. Fullerton featuring Nic Clark, Ben Prestage, Grant Sabin, and Chris Yakopcic.

“Each ride on the Blues Train brings different energy and I’m thrilled to be able to mix traditional and contemporary blues acts,” said Steve Gumble, founder, Durango Blues Train. “Phil Wiggins has graced the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival stage many times so to have him up close and intimate on the train is a special treat. Phil is best known for his acoustic Piermont style of Blues but has promised to pull out all stops and throw a dance party!”

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 described as everything from New Orleans R&B to Alternative Country, the two musicians 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, who serves up 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 named 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 his 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.

About Durango Blues Train:

The Blues Train is an exciting 3.5-hour moving musical experience of live blues music on board the coal-fired, steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the San Juan National Forest. The event starts and ends in Durango, Colorado, and features  six live blues performances inside the coaches to create a festive musical environment. Each artist performs in his own vintage coach, while passengers are invited to pass freely from car to car. The Blues Train includes nine passenger cars, a steam-engine locomotive, two full bands, four solo/duo acts, and three craft beer and wine bars.