2013 Durango Blues Train Lineup
Peter Karp and Sue Foley
Noted songwriter/guitarist Blind Pig recording artist Peter Karp and Canadian Juno Award winning Guitarwoman Sue Foley made a big splash in 2010 when they released their first CD together "He Said, She Said."
The CD hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Blues Charts and was #1 for 6 weeks on the National Blues and Roots Charts. For the last 2 years they have kept up a frenetic touring pace with features at the Bayfront Blues Festival, New York State Blues Festival, Pittsburgh Blues Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, the Americana Festival, and Castel San Pietro Blues in Italy. “He Said She Said” was featured on Sirius/XM Radio, NPR, CBC radio, PBS TV, The House of Blues Bluesmobile and Woodsongs Radio Hour among others. They earned nominations at the International Blues Music Awards in Memphis and the Maple Blues Awards in Canada.
Their next exciting CD: "Beyond The Crossroads." A high voltage, plank spankin', piano boogyin', slide guitar stompin' blues-rockin' CD that showcases 12 brilliantly crafted and unique original compositions that have become the trademark of these two noted singer-songwriter guitarists.
Lisa Haley & The Zydekats
This GRAMMY Nominated fiddler, dancer, vocalist, and songwriter serves up heart-moving Louisiana Bayou rhythms, traditional styling’s and original songs speaking to all ages. Bringing modern Roots music to a wide audience reaches far beyond solely traditional genre.
Since beginning in 1994, Lisa Haley & the Zydekats have become one of the world’s most beloved Americana/Cajun/Zydeco bands. Lisa’s 2008 GRAMMY® nominated “King Cake” crashed into Billboard World Chart and the Americana movement with her blue violin and soaring, compelling “cornbread” voice.
Her original tunes and Louisiana Bayou, French Celtic, R&B and Jazz rhythms have represented Zydeco for GRAMMY Museum, Hollywood Bowl Summersounds, Sir George Martin’s (Beatles producer) “Rhythm of Life,” and festivals in over 20 countries.
With three women in her five-piece band, this fourth-generation fiddler, dancer, vocalist, and songwriter compels all ages. Among her fans are the likes of Keb’Mo’ and Little Richard.
Todd & The Fox
Todd & the Fox creates banjo-driven, award-winning, venue-shaking, roots-rock and electronic music.
Emerging from the art-steeped, high desert crossroads of northern New Mexico, Todd & the Fox began as a side project for band members Todd Eric Lovato and Erik Sawyer in early 2011. The duo quickly found itself center stage and propelled to the forefront of the region's music scene, as audiences and music critics alike responded gleefully to the band's minimalist hybrid of dance-oriented roots, country, folk and electronic music.
In the tradition of rustic and reckless American folk and blues, T&tF takes a fresh approach to its electro-country-roots sound, described by many fans as a hybrid between modern acts like The Black Keys and The White Stripes and the enigmatic backwoods sounds of The Carter Family and Robert Johnson.
Equal parts singer/songwriter, showman and music producer, Todd Eric Lovato has garnered a loyal musical following and critic accolades for his music production, as evidenced by five New Mexico Music Awards for songs ranging in style from Americana to hip-hop. A New England transplant, Erik Sawyer has established himself as a dynamic percussionist and lightning-fast bluegrass, folk and country guitar picker as part of Madrid, NM's Family Coal. Fresh off a recent win at the New Mexico Music Awards for the song “Blessed Christine” (Best Production in Americana, 2010), T&tF's unique blend of dust and neon is poised to make a lasting impression on U.S. and international audiences.
Lionel Young
Lionel Young is a high-energy performer with “the soul of a Bluesman.” This ain’t the kind of blues that will bring you down. The Lionel Young Band won the 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, making Young the first double champion in the IBC’s history, with his solo-duo victory in 2008. Fans of the driven, classically trained Young love his distinctive brand of blues on electric violin. The shows feature, not only originals by Lionel and the band, but also interpretations of blues classics. Young's songs, combine the strength and passion of Young’s playing, his smooth vocals, and unique transitions, which have impressed audiences and CD listeners across the globe, winning his nomination for a Blues Music Award.
Kirk James
Kirk James is solidly grounded in the Texas Blues tradition, playing Ragtime, Texas Shuffles and funky grooves. His unmistakable phrasing mixed with bottleneck slide conjures images of T-Bone Walker, Elmore James and Lightning Hopkins. A blues performer of 25 years, Kirk is known for his strong blues guitar style and distinctive vocals. James plays both original material and also classics from the Blues Masters.
Growing up in Dallas, Texas, and listening to such greats as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Reverend Gary Davis, Kirk developed an interest in blues early in life. A musician since the age of five, he recalls, "I grew up in a musical family, it has always been a part of me. I can't imagine living without music."
Low Volts
2011 San Diego Music Award winner for 'Best New Artist' and 'Best Blues Album', LOW VOLTS is giving the music world a much needed shock to the heart. Often referring to himself as ‘us’ and ‘we’ at live shows, this one-man rock n’ roller provides a wild performance like none other. With a gritty old slide-guitar, thunderous kick drum laden with tambourines, and dark, howling vocals, LOW VOLTS creates a thick and heavy sound equivalant to a five piece band. Combining a timeless mixture of rock, blues and soul, LOW VOLTS has managed to encompass the American sound in a raw and extremely unique way. Think ‘1955 meets 2055.’ ‘Early Elvis meets Evel Knievel.’
The 2011 debut record, ‘TWIST SHAKE GRIND BREAK’ saw songs used by Showtimes's 'WEEDS', Stone Brewing Co. and also won 'Best Blues Album' at San Diego Music Awards.
The 2012 release of 'Oh My Stars' is poised and ready to keep the socks knocked off; guaranteeing another wild and dirty ride through uncharted sonic landscapes. The outcome has completely exceeded everyones expectations and stays true to the sound & experience of an authentic LOW VOLTS live rock n’ roll performance.
