Telluride Blues & Brews: Free Concert in Mountain Village

09 Sep Telluride Blues & Brews: Free Concert in Mountain Village

Ryan McGarvey and Dragondeer set to play the concert stage in Mountain Village for the Fourth Annual Sunset Blues Concert – September 11, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Blues musicians Ryan McGarvey and Dragondeer will join forces on the concert stage in Mountain Village for the Fourth Annual Sunset Blues Concert, Thursday, September 11. As part of the 21st Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, this free show runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Sunset Plaza, and is made possible by the Town of Mountain Village and SBG Productions.

“We are excited to kick off this year’s Blues & Brews with a free concert to take place on the Mountain Village Sunset Plaza,” said Steve Gumble, Festival Director. “The event is just a short and scenic gondola ride away from the Town of Telluride and perfect way to start the festival weekend.”

Ryan McGarvey, New Mexico’s hottest blues guitarist will be making his second appearance at the 2014 festival. His life is devoted to the six strings of his road worn Strat. He has fluidity to his playing that hearkens back to Eric Clapton – one of his idols – at the height of his powers and he transcends technical ability with passion infused in every note. McGarvey is sporting a huge feather in his cap these days as the recipient of Guitar Player magazine’s 2013 Reader’s Poll nod for Best New Talent. In fact, he is no stranger to the magazine’s pages, having been featured numerous times. Those of us fortunate enough to live in this corner of the world are well aware of McGarvey’s massive talent. He’s been racking up awards for both his playing and his original songs in his native New Mexico for years now, and in 2010 he was personally invited by Eric Clapton to perform at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago. His rock-solid band propels him through barn burner sets he fills with his own material and tasty covers. This is an artist on his ascendency. You will not want to miss him.

Denver’s Dragondeer left it all on the stage during an epic Battle of the Bands contest in August and walked away with the top prize: a slot on the newly added Blues Stage for the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. The contest was a benefit for Firefly Autism and Autism Speaks, two non-profit organizations dedicated to funding autism research and support for those with autism and their families. The contest was hosted by Listen Up Denver!, Park House and the good folks who put on this festival. Dragondeer emerged victorious with their distinctive heavy blues and psychedelic rock onslaught, besting a slew of top Rocky Mountain region bands for the coveted festival appearance. They’ve been attracting notice from music lovers in Colorado and beyond with inspired improvisations and their far-out take on the blues. Performances at the respected music industry gathering South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, and other notable festivals this year have helped served to launch this brand new band on a trajectory to the top. You will say, “I saw them when …”

The event takes place rain or shine and is sponsored by Telluride Ski Resort, Sierra Nevada Brewing and the Town of Mountain Village.

The 21st annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will also features headliners The Violent Femmes, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, and Peter Frampton. Additional weekend performances will include The Meter Men, Buddy Guy, Dumpstaphunk, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires, Anders Osborne, the Robert Cray Band, The Lee Boys, Black Joe Lewis, The Slide Brothers, Zach Deputy, Roosevelt Collier & The Bayou Gypsys, Bombino, Amy Helm and the Handsome Strangers, MoHead, Patrick Sweany, Shakey Graves, Markus James, Kipori Woods, and more.

For a full schedule of events or to purchase tickets to the Blues and Brews festival, visit TellurideBlues.com.

To purchase tickets by phone, call toll-free at (866) 515-6166