Colorado’s Durango Blues Train

Colorado’s Durango Blues Train Announces June Artist Lineup

Durango, Colorado | May 31 & June 1 and August 16 & 17, 2019

The onset of summer in the mountain town of Durango, Colorado inches a bit closer with the announcement of the artist lineup for the Durango Blues Train on May 31 and June 1. Presented by SBG Productions and the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, the Durango Blues Train returns to the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for the 9th year on both ends of the summer season on May 31 & June 1 and August 16 & 17. The list of the artists set to play the June event includes returning veteran artists, internationally acclaimed blues acts and up-and-coming performers. The June lineup features Brandon Santini, Ally Venable Band, Brody Buster, Smokestack Relics, A.J. Gaither Band and Alex Paul.

“There’s something magical that happens when you combine blues and a steam train but there’s so much more to it than just that. It is an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a lifetime,” said Steve Gumble, founder of the Durango Blues Train. “Each year, the train grows in popularity and each ride brings a different experience. It’s not often that you get to create musical memories on a historic train that only holds 280 people!”

Channeling the culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, Memphis vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini leads the 2019 artist lineup. With two acclaimed albums and multiple Blues Music Award nominations, Brandon combines a love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing perfect for the Blues Train.

On the opposite end of the nine-passenger-car locomotive will be the Ally Venable Band, a powerhouse from the Lone Star State. Lead vocalist Ally Venable started singing at an early age in church and then in recent years picked up the guitar and found her passion as a Texas Blues Guitar Slinger. With multiple awards and a new album landing in the Billboard Blues charts, Ally’s songwriting and onstage performance proves that she packs a punch.

Returning for his second train appearance, multi-instrumentalist Brody Buster brings an energetic, compelling performance style of blues to the bill. Hailing from Kansas, the crowd-favorite has made quite a name for himself earning the respect of the late B.B. King who called him “one of the greatest harmonica players of our time”.

Smokestack Relics, a duo hailing from Denver, Colorado, will be debuting their dirty swamp rock in what is sure to be a perfect match for the Blues Train. The two brothers perform a style of stripped down Blues that creates a raw roots feel.

Adding to the cadre of talent, A.J. Gaither OMB joins the bill with a down-home, DIY style of music. From raging, high octane foot stompin’ brag songs to slow and soulful songs about struggle and being homesick, every bit of it is drenched in whiskey and hard living. A.J. makes his own instruments from old cigar boxes and scrap lumber, spare bolts and wood screws.

Rounding out the June lineup is the 2018 Telluride Blues Challenge winner Alex Paul. Paul outperformed 35 other competitors to win the Blues Challenge earning him a spot on the Blues Train. Known for his approach to living a vibrant, positive life, Alex’s contagious energy and insightful approach to composition make him an excellent fit for the Blues Train.

Refreshments will be available for purchase on board. Guests can enjoy light snacks, bars with wine and craft beer and hard cider from award-winning regional brewery partners Telluride Brewing Company, Ska Brewing and Big B’s Hard Cider.

Tickets for the Durango Blues Train on May 31 and June 1 are set to go on sale Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 10 am (MT). Tickets are $119 per person per night, plus a Historic Train Preservation fee. Tickets are limited and will sell out in advance. Purchasers must be 21 years old to participate. Tickets will be available online at DurangoBluesTrain.com/Tickets. The artist lineup for August 16 & 17 will be released later this spring. Tickets for those dates will go on sale March 13 at 10 am (MT). For more information, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com.

The Blues Train is an exciting 3.5-hour moving experience of live blues on board the coal-fired, steam-powered train through the breathtaking canyons of the San Juan National Forest. The Blues Train features six live blues performances inside the train coaches with a festive musical atmosphere. Each artist performs in their own vintage coach, while passengers are free to dance their way from coach to coach. The Blues Train follows the same format as years past, with nine historic passenger cars, a steam-engine locomotive, two full bands, four solo/duo acts and three craft beer and wine bars. To cap it off, passengers will take in spectacular sunset views along the “Highline,” a world famous section of the railroad, as the train crawls along craggy cliffs 400 feet high above the Wild Animas River, known to be the most beautiful section of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

A selection of lodging options at local hotel partners are available for those looking to stay in town. To view all accommodation opportunities, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com/Lodging. For general information and more, visit DurangoBluesTrain.com.

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 featuring six live blues performances inside the train coaches with a festive musical environment. Each artist performs in their own vintage coach, while passengers can pass freely from coach to coach. The Blues Train with nine passenger cars, a steam-engine locomotive, two full bands, four solo/duo acts and three craft beer and wine bars.