8th annual Animas River
Blues & Brews Fest
July 13, 2013
Riverside Park - 500 S. Light Plant Rd. - Aztec, New Mexico
MAP to the Blues Festival

Voted back-to-back champions of the 2008 and 2009 Iowa Blues Challenge, Chris Avey, former lead guitarist and backing vocalist for blues icon, Big Pete Pearson, fuels the band with his stinging guitar attack and fiery vocals… reminiscent of Coco Montoya mixed with a dash Tab Benoit. The group blends elements of Cajun swamp with blues-rock and Chicago sounds. Band members: Chris Avey – Lead Vocals and Guitar, Mark Avey – Bass, Bryan West - Drums, and Detroit Larry – harp, deliver more energy to the stage than a power plant. With 2 smashing CDs to their credit – Devil In My Bed – and - Preacherman – the Avey Brothers have shared the stage and venues with many top tier artists such as: Kenny Neal, Delbert McClinton, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Walter Trout, Nightfall on the River, Blues Traveler, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lonnie Brooks, Big Pete Pearson & Corey Stevens. The Avey Brothers were 2010 Finalists at the International Blues Challenge Memphis, Tennessee

Shari Puorto Band (or commonly referred to as,The Shari Puorto Experience) is a Blues, Roots, Rock-N-Soul band and have been touring together for many years, sharing the stage with the likes of, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter, Barry Goldberg, Dave Mason, Robben Ford, Tower of Power, Robin Trower, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya, Larry Carlton, Ike Turner, among others.

They have performed up and down the coast of California, across the U.S., and abroad (from large festivals to Blues Clubs to local hangouts). Past appearances range from, headlining at the: Phuket Blues Rock Festival, Irvine Lake Blue Festival, Fiji International Jazz & Blues Festival, Lexus of Valencia Jazz & Blues Concert Series, Gator by the Bay, Ventura Music Under the Stars, Sly McFlys, Poor House Bistro Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Las Vegas Bike Fest, Heritage Blues Festival (previously, King Biscuit Blues Fest) Biscuit & Blues / San Francisco, Harvelle's, Patricks II / San Diego, to name a few.

Winner: Best song of the year in the "Americana, Blues, Roots" category, for Shari's song, "Free". Los Angeles Music Awards 2010. Unique & powerful vocals, BIG guitar, groove-oriented rock & roll with a full dropper of Blues coloring.

Michael Lee was born and raised in Bedford, Texas where he grew up appreciating music and was always drawn to the style of music heard in his childhood home. Michael started formal music training in junior high where he joined the band and played alto sax. Michael continued to play saxophone through high school, but also picked up the guitar and began to teach himself in the styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, and many other classic rock and blues artist.

Michael began honing his skills by playing many of the area clubs. Michael has played with many notable musicians such as Buddy Whittington, Holland K Smith, Jackie Don Loe, Rusty Burns, Joe Jonas, Mouse Mayes, Hash Brown, Blue Lisa, Voodoo Blue and Chris Watson to name a few.