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Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band to headline this year’s Blues From the Top Festival as lineup is announced

Who’s ready to jam?

The Grand County Blues Society announced the lineup for the 16th Annual Blues From the Top Festival this week, one of the area’s premiere summer events and Colorado’s best blues festival. The festival will take place June 23 and 24 at Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park.

The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will headline a Saturday lineup that includes Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Southern Avenue, Honey Island Swamp Band and Dragondeer.



Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a Louisiana native, five-time Grammy nominee, two-time Billboard Music Award winner and two-time Orville H. Gibson award winner. The band’s 2017 album “Lay it Down” debuted at number one on the Billboard Blues Chart, and is currently nominated for Rock Blues Album of the Year at the 2018 Blues Music Awards. Shepherd is individually nominated for Rock Blues Artist of the Year.

“I am so excited for The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band,” said Maria Chavez, festival producer for the Grand County Blues Society. “They’re a household name that a lot of people know, and he’s really crossover as well, not just hardcore blues.”



On Sunday the North Mississippi Allstars headline a group including Vintage Trouble, Nick Moss Band feat. Dennis Gruenling, Kara Grainger and Fuse Workshop. The North Mississippi Allstars are another crossover hit who are nominated for Band of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, as well as Rock Blues Album of the Year for their 2017 release “Prayer for Peace.”

“We really looked at what was going on in blues and crossover, and we also surveyed our crowd and Front Range music fans to see what bands would draw them in to the festival,” said Chavez. “I mean all of these guys are award winning artists, so we’re really excited.”

As always the festival promises plenty of beer, dining options and merchandise on top of performances from some of the best blues artists working today. The Keeping the Blues Alive Youth Stage will also return, featuring a number of young, but talented artists playing in between sets on the big stage.

Tickets go on sale March 23. Early bird general admission tickets are going for $30 and VIP tickets are selling for $100 for one day and $185 for the weekend. Tickets are available at BluesfromtheTop.org.

“I really want to thank the town of Winter Park, the Grand County Tourism Board and the Winter Park & Fraser Chamber for their support in funding and helping to increase the marketing we were able to put in to produce some really top headliners,” said Chavez. “It’s really a big support group.”


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