Alamosa Live Music Association

Antonio A. Lopez

The Alamosa Live Music Association presents singer-songwriter Antonio A. Lopez in concert to celebrate the release of his debut album “The Romantic and the Realist.” The award winning Don Conoscenti Trio from Taos, NM along with local legend Don Richmond will be the backing band for the CD release show. The show is set for Friday November 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM and will take place at Leon Memorial Hall on the Adams State College campus. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and $5 for students and seniors. ALMA members receive $2 off. A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE ALBUM IS INCLUDED WITH EACH TICKET. Tickets available at The ASC Music Department or Narrow Gauge Newsstand.

The album is a 13-song collection of original material with an earthy modern-folk-rock feel. Nashville based recording artist Tyler James describes Antonio’s music as “raw and beautiful…two traits any young songwriter should strive for.”

Lopez is an Alamosa native and Adams State College alumnus who graduated in 2010 with degrees in music performance and composition. “The Romantic and the Realist” was recorded at the Pearl Recording Studio in Minneapolis, MN with producer Zach Hollander. Commenting on the chemistry that the two had in the studio Lopez said, “It was almost like our brains were wired together. We would be doing 12 hour days and not have one lull in creativity or inspiration. Throughout the whole session there was not one technical difficulty. It was as if all the stars were perfectly aligned!”

To fund the project, Lopez worked five jobs simultaneously, juggling his time as a substitute teacher, high school soccer coach, personal care assistant for a quadriplegic, guitar instructor, and AmeriCorp volunteer. Lopez’s hard work and determination is starting to pay off. Hollander who has worked on over 1,000 records -some with big name bands and artists- says that “the Romantic and the Realist” is one of the best albums that he has been a part of. To listen to tracks from the album visit www.antonioalopez.com or www.facebook.com/antonioalopezmusic.

For those who follow solo acoustic instrumental guitar, Michael Gulezian (gu-LAY-ze-in) is firmly established in the genre as one of the most significant artists of our time, playing with rock attitude, imbued with a mystical, spiritual essence – all tempered and disciplined by a rigorous program of classical guitar training. Gulezian is slated to perform Sat., Oct. 22, 6:30pm at Adams State College’s Leon Memorial Hall, presented by the Alamosa Live Music Assoc. (ALMA). Tickets are $10 for ALMA members, $12 for the general public, $5 for students, seniors, full-time volunteers and active duty members of the military.

Michael began playing guitar at the age of six, assimilating everything from the Hindustani raga improvisations of Ravi Shankar, to Gregorian chant, to the rock of Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. He soon discovered the early finger style guitarists of the Mississippi Delta: Son House, Rev. Gary Davis, and Robert Johnson. But the crystallizing moment occurred upon hearing the music of John Fahey – godfather of American solo acoustic guitar. Gulezian locked onto Fahey’s then-radical concept of acoustic instrumental guitar as lifelong medium for composition and creative self-expression.

To this day Gulezian tours constantly, performing at concert halls, festivals, and at hundreds of colleges and universities. It is visually breathtaking to watch him play – his cutting edge virtuosity, commanding stage presence, offbeat humor, and genuine humility has won him a reputation for excellence and a steadily growing audience.

For all the airplay, accolades, recognition, and encores, Michael remains most touched and humbled by the words of his late friend and colleague Michael Hedges, who called Gulezian “a great guitarist. My kindred spirit.”

One generation removed from the musical arabesques of his Armenian heritage, infused with the raw emotional power of the Mississippi Delta trailblazers, fiercely devoted to his art, and blessed with technical proficiency in the extreme, Michael Gulezian remains a seminal force on the cutting edge of the American solo acoustic guitar tradition.

Don Richmond

The Haunted Windchimes

Because of the weather, Blancafest has been canceled. The outings and excursions scheduled for Sun., Sept. 18 will take place as scheduled. However, it looks like the Haunted Windchimes will be playing at the SLV Brewery at 8pm. Possible drink specials at the brew pub, too. They are going to try to show the Telluride Mountain Films at 7pm in Cole Park, depending on weather at that time.

Don Richmond is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumental performer who has been playing professionally for more than twenty years. The Alamosa Live Music Association presents Richmond performing as part of the Colorado Mountain Club‘s BlancaFest in Alamosa’s Cole Park this Sat., Sept. 17 at 4:30pm. The Haunted Windchimes play their folk and blues influenced acoustic music at 5:30pm, and the Telluride Mountain Film Festival screens after dark.

BlancaFest is a free weekend-long festival where hikers, families, and nature enthusiasts can kick back and relax with an evening of food and brews from the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, free entertainment and free guided tours to the best trails, peaks and cultural sites the San Luis Valley and surrounding mountains have to offer.

“BlancaFest is a time to enjoy a weekend full of free outdoor activities in the beautiful scenery of the San Luis Valley and help Colorado Mountain Club raise awareness of the intersection of conservation and recreation in the region, including trail restoration on Blanca Peak,” said Lisa Cashel, land partnerships manager of the CMC. BlancaFest proceeds will benefit the restoration of trails and the natural environment of Blanca Peak.

Richmond’s smooth, powerful vocal style, his impressive command of the guitar and other instruments, his moving and creative original songs, and his fine selection of other writers’ material combine to provide a varied and pleasing musical experience for all who hear him perform. His years of experience playing everything from a sold out 10,000 seat arena to the rowdy bars in the little mountain towns give him a relaxed and confident stage presence that seems to provide an immediate bond with the audience, and a good time for all.

“The Windchimes are, beyond a reasonable doubt, one of Colorado’s most significant musical treasures,” according to the Colorado Springs Independent. “The ghost of classic blues mingles with a pop sensibility that’s given an edge by incredibly touching harmonies” is the Pueblo Chieftain’s description of the Haunted Windchimes’ music. “They recreate the vibe of rural 1930s music with a contemporary consciousness,” according to leading folk music magazine “Sing Out!”

To sign up or get more details about Blanca Fest, visit www.cmc.org/blancafest.

The Haunted Windchimes

With timeless songs that sound like they could have been written yesterday or 75 years ago, the Haunted Windchimes perform new music that sounds like traditional folk and blues. Inaiah Lujan and the Windchimes have SLV family and connections, too, so now the Alamosa Live Music Association (ALMA) is teaming up with the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) and other local organizations to bring them home during the third annual BlancaFest in Alamosa, Colo. September 17 and 18 in Cole Park.

Regional favorite Don Richmond is now confirmed to open for the Windchimes on Sept. 17.

BlancaFest is a free weekend-long festival where hikers, families, and nature enthusiasts can kick back and relax with an evening of entertainment including live music, food and brews from San Luis Valley Brewing Company, free entry to Telluride Mountain Film Festival, and free guided tours to the best trails, peaks and cultural sites the San Luis Valley, the Sangre de Cristos and the San Juans have to offer. The Haunted Windchimes are slated to play between 5:30pm and 7pm on Sat., Sept. 17.

It’s their vocal harmonies that really set the Windchimes apart, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. When the voices of Inaiah Lujan (guitar), Chela Lujan (banjo), and Desirae Garcia (ukulele) blend, it is nothing short of beautiful. Their sound is embroidered by the instrumental mastery of Mike Clark (harmonica, guitar and mandolin) and the standup bass foundation of Sean Fanning.

As well as providing a weekend of fun and exploration for Coloradans, CMC hopes that the BlancaFest will encourage the conservation of Colorado’s breathtaking mountain landscape. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of trails and the natural environment of Blanca Peak.

To sign up or get more details about Blanca Fest, visit www.cmc.org/blancafest.