Telluride Blues & Brews: Blues Challenge Now Open; Tickets Selling Out!

21 May Telluride Blues & Brews: Blues Challenge Now Open; Tickets Selling Out!

The upcoming festival summer season in Telluride peaks on a high note on September 13-15 with the 26th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews. The legendary John Fogerty joins Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Boz Scaggs, Anders Osborne, Ryan Bingham,Tab Benoit and many more complete a world-class artist lineup. Other additions include International Blues Challenge Winner Ms.Hy-C & Fresh Start, Joanna Connor Band, Husky & The Slow Attack, Eagle Eye Williamson, Grant Sabin with Michael Jennings, Molly Gene One Whoaman Band, along with five stand-up comedians.

Join Telluride Blues & Brews to celebrate a weekend of live music on multiple stages, 56 breweries + 170 craft beers and ciders, stand-up comedy, yoga sessions, camping, late night shows and much more in the iconic Telluride Town Park.

Go here for a Festival overview.

TICKET ALERT! Festival passes are selling out. Three-day and single-day passes, along with Bal De Maison, and Fais Do Do tickets are almost gone.

• 3-Day Passes – Less Than 100 Left
• Friday Passes -Less Than 100 Left
• Sunday Passes – Less Than 350 Left
• Bal De Maison – Less Than 50 Left
• Fais Do Do – Less Than 100 Left

Three-day passes are $225 plus service fees; single-day passes start at $80. For festival information or to purchase tickets, visit TellurideBlues.com. Tickets are also available locally at Telluride Music, 333 West Colorado Avenue.

And now calling all musicians, play their way to the Main Stage of the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival.

Through a partnership with Telluride Music Company, Telluride Blues Society and Colorado Blues Society are excited to present the 2019 Telluride Blues Challenge, an annual competition providing talented up-and-coming artists from the blues genre with an opportunity to advance their professional careers and play the Telluride Blues & Brews Main Stage during the festival.

How To Enter

Solo blues musicians not signed to a major record or or publishing deal can enter by submitting two recorded songs for consideration from now until August 1, 2019. Solo vocalists are also encouraged to enter. Entries will be judged on blues content, vocals, talent, originality and overall impression. A panel of blues experts will narrow down entries and invite the top six to compete in a live final competition held on Saturday morning of the festival at a venue to be determined. Here, the judges will select the 2019 Telluride Blues Challenge Champion.

Competition Prizes

• A premium Martin guitar provided by Telluride Music Company
• 20 Minute set to perform on the Main Stage at the 2019 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
• A full 60 minute set on the Blues Stage at the 2020 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
• 2 nights to perform on the 2020 Durango Blues Train $300 cash prize
• And more…

How To Watch

The Telluride Blues Challenge Finals will be held from 9 am – noon on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at a location to be determined. The contest happens as part of “Blues for Breakfast,” an event complete with a breakfast spread and full bar including breakfast cocktails. Admission to the competition is free! Breakfast and drinks are available for purchase. The event is a great way to see up-and-comers in the blues genre and start your Saturday morning before the Grand Tasting and music inside the festival grounds. To read more, click below.

More about Telluride Blues & Brews events:

Friday & Saturday Late Night Juke Joints
Starting at 10pm

After the music ends in Town Park for the evening, we move the festival scene into various music venues located throughout the Town of Telluride. From jammed-out performances that approach last call, to foot-stomping rock shows and legendary collaborations, the Juke Joint shows are not to be missed. On both Friday and Saturday nights, pass-holders can enjoy 4 different musical shows each night showcasing a variety of artists up close and personal. In addition, the Juke Joint schedule features stand-up comedy shows, the “Mitch Woods Club 88” jam session and new special late night shows at the Wood Ear.

Juke Joint passes allow access to all venues for the night purchased. Click below to explore the late night schedule.

Bal De Maison: Cedric Burnside
Thursday, September 12 at 9pm

The opening celebration for the 2019 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will feature the jaw-dropping, hair-raising guitar and vocal talent from Cedric Burnside. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Listening to Cedric Burnside’s dirty, growling blues brings to mind his grandpa, the great R.L. Burnside. And no surprise there- he grew up in his grandfather’s house with the extended Burnside family. His papa, the blues drummer Calvin Jackson’s influence is in place, too – Cedric is a drummer as well as a guitarist and singer-songwriter. He’s handled the sticks in not only his grandfather’s band, but with Jessie Mae Hemphill, Jimmy Buffet, T-Model Ford and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, among many others, either onstage or on vinyl. This is real-deal electric blues – lo-fi, gritty and authentic. It’s a product of Cedric’s genes, his Southern upbringing and a deep connection to blues traditions. Cedric’s latest record, Benton County Relic, is a hypnotizing collection of songs. Fall under his spell.

The Bal de Maison is the perfect way to kick off your festival weekend. Tickets are on sale now and very limited (less than 50 left)!

Fais Do Do: Durand Jones & The Indications
Sunday, September 15 at 9pm

The 2019 festival weekend ends with a special closing celebration show from Durand Jones & The Indications at the historic Sheridan Opera House. Louisiana native Durand Jones channels soul music like we’re listening to the radio in the early 1970’s. Drenched in emotion and memory and heartache, soul music for Durand comes as naturally as breathing. He and The Indications – Aaron Frazer (with whom he swaps vocals), Blake Rhein, Kyle Houpt and Steve Okonski – met while in college in Bloomington, Indiana. Their eponymous 2018 album brings youthful energy and exuberance to this tried and true genre of music for lovers. Sax runs glide like silk and Durand’s voice recalls the great Wilson Pickett’s. Yes sir, you’re not going to want to miss this one!

The Fais Do Do is the perfect way to close out your festival weekend. Tickets are on sale now and very limited (less than 100 left)!