On August 22nd, International Blues Star, Ana Popovic, makes her Grand Lake debut. Ana has played all the major festivals in the world and has headlined Blues From The Top. She recently was the only female on the Experience Hendrix Tour. She has toured lately with Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang. She was also on the Joe Bonamassa cruise last February. Ana has been living in Memphis for the past few years after moving to the U.S. from Holland. Ana has been in the top tier of guitarists for over a decade. Her recent show in Winter Park at Blues From The Top was reviewed as one of the greatest guitar displays in the history of that festival.
Ana Popovic
My Blue Sky is “the” Allman Brothers Award Winning Tribute Band. They just won their second 1st place award at an annual tribute band challenge with 2,000 people in attendance. You will get why they have become a Colorado must for festivals.
The Keeping The Blues Alive band, sponsored by Joe Bonamassa, has some firepower well known to Colorado. Austin Young packs a big punch, recently presented a Gold Top Les Paul by Joe himself , working with local organization Blue Star Connection and John Catt. Austin Young has a reputation for putting on a show you won’t forget. Along with Austin is the famous Michaela Rae Knox, Michaela has been a staple at Blues From The Top and other Colorado Festivals/Events for over 10 years. A guitar wizard for a long long time, she and Austin have been touring this year with the support of Joe Bonamassa’s Foundation known as Keeping The Blues Alive.
Also on the bill is a strong singer/songwriter/guitar genius, Cary Morin, two-time Colorado IBC winner in the solo category of that International Challenge in Memphis. Cary is a veteran of touring and lives in Fort Collins. Amazing unique finger picking with a voice that you will hear in your sleep. Don’t miss his set.
Rounding out the line up is John Weeks Band with torch singer Stacy Turpenoff. Strong guitar and strong vocals will rock Spirit Lake. Kicking off the event is Fort Collins power trio The Symbols. Jasco Duende is a well known guitar virtuoso with fascinating styles you will not have seen or heard elsewhere. Mer Sal on bass and vocals will keep you glued to the stage.
We have a few rising stars on a second stage that will keep you excited while we change bands. All you hear all day is real people playing music, no cd’s blasting you out of your chairs.
The event starts right at 11:00 a.m. with gates opening at 10:00 a.m. with the following line up:
11:00 a.m. — The Symbols
12:00 p.m. — Cary Morin
1:00 p.m. — John Weeks with Stacy Turpenoff
2:00 p.m. — Austin Young, Michaela Rae Knox and Keeping The Blues Alive Band
3:30 p.m. — My Blue Sky
4:15 p.m. — Kara Grainger with My Blue Sky
5:30 p.m. — Ana Popovic
Kara Grainger
Follow us on Facebook at Spirit Lake Blues. Blog written by John Catt of Blue Star Connection.