THE 2022 LINE UP

"Laurie is one hell of a great guitarist … put it on your must do list!” - Blues Blast

“Morvan has all the soulfulness of Bonnie Raitt and the swaggering, muscular guitar tone of Stevie Ray Vaughan… a high-energy ending to a great guitar fest at Krannert Center” – News Gazette, Champaign, IL

“Morvan singes the strings” – Guitar Player

Winner Blues Foundation Award for Best Self-Produced CD for “Fire It Up!” album

Performances feature crowd-pleasing harmonies of backup singer/percussionist Lisa Morvan and dueling solos between Laurie, keyboardist Tom Salyers and bassist Pat Morvan, all fueled by the premium grooves of drummer Robert Gates. Audiences are drawn in by Laurie’s personable in-between song banter and compelling songwriting, while the band’s fun-loving enthusiasm leaps right off the stage…and it’s contagious!

http://www.lauriemorvan.com/

He's had the opportunity to share the stage and jam with a wide array of notable musicians including Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Greg Douglass (former guitarist with the Steve Miller Band), blues harmonica great, James Harman, guitarist Laura Chavez, (voted by Guitar Player Magazine as one of the top 50 women guitarists in the world), former Ike Turner bassist, Kevin Cooper and first call session guitarists, Gino Matteo and Stevie Salas to name a few.

Above all that, his guitar prowess speaks for itself no matter who is joining him on stage as duly noted by Boogie Magazine: "Anthony has guitar skills reminiscent of young guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Jonny Lang." This comparison came to fruition in May, 2018, when he took first place at the Dallas International Guitar Show's "Young Guns" showcase, featuring a host of 20 year olds and under guitar slingers from around the world. "It was such an amazing experience, I enjoyed every second of this humbling moment." 

https://www.fallbrookkid.com/

https://mikewheelerband.com

Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2014, Mike Wheeler is a

Chicago blues songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. With a vast knowledge of music and a voice that’s reminiscent of the late Sam Cooke, Mike can sing and play everything so well, that you may forget what the original record even sounds like. From Jazz to Rock, from popular music to Top 40, Mike slides in and out of musical genres with sophistication, ease and indulgence. 

Mike Wheeler is a brilliant staple in the Chicago blues community, playing with and writing songs for a variety of Chicago artists including, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Peaches Staten, Sam Cockrell, Demetria Taylor, Big Ray and Cadillac Dave. Mike was a well-known member of the Chicago Playboys, a notable band in Chicago, and recorded five albums with this group. Mike has travelled the world as an ambassador for Chicago blues music. He’s travelled to Monaco, France, Switzerland, Spain and Belgium, just to name a few. He’s also shared the stage with the most elite musicians that world has known, including Willie Kent, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, George Benson, Jimmy Johnson and Shemekia Copeland. Mike was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2014.

Mike plays Gibson Les Paul and 335 guitars, Fender Stratocaster guitars, and uses Elixir strings.

https://mikewheelerband.com

Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2014, Mike Wheeler is a

Chicago blues songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. With a vast knowledge of music and a voice that’s reminiscent of the late Sam Cooke, Mike can sing and play everything so well, that you may forget what the original record even sounds like. From Jazz to Rock, from popular music to Top 40, Mike slides in and out of musical genres with sophistication, ease and indulgence. 

Mike Wheeler is a brilliant staple in the Chicago blues community, playing with and writing songs for a variety of Chicago artists including, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Peaches Staten, Sam Cockrell, Demetria Taylor, Big Ray and Cadillac Dave. Mike was a well-known member of the Chicago Playboys, a notable band in Chicago, and recorded five albums with this group. Mike has travelled the world as an ambassador for Chicago blues music. He’s travelled to Monaco, France, Switzerland, Spain and Belgium, just to name a few. He’s also shared the stage with the most elite musicians that world has known, including Willie Kent, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, George Benson, Jimmy Johnson and Shemekia Copeland. Mike was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2014.

Mike plays Gibson Les Paul and 335 guitars, Fender Stratocaster guitars, and uses Elixir strings.

Returning on popular demand to the 2022 San Felipe Blues and Arts Festival. The Monterey Bay Blues Festival calls master guitarist Gregg Wright the "King of Rockin' Blues Guitar"!   Wright is an electrifying live performer whose guitar virtuosity regularly leaves audiences spellbound with his soulful voice and rare style.  Outstanding live performances have earned him acclaim and a growing worldwide audience.

https://www.greggwright.com

https://www.robertgatesdrummer.com

Welcome back the Blues & Arts, Robert Gates! The hardest working drummer in the business. Robert is a passionate supporter of the Lions Blues & Arts Festival and loves our San Felipe community. Watching Robert Gates play drums is a study in passionate musicianship. He puts his all into every piece - body, mind, and soul. Ranging from blues to rock, funk to gospel, Robert finds the heart in each and every song he plays.

Robert is now touring with our headliner, Laurie Morvan. You can also catch him playing with Mike Wheeler and Gregg Wright  during the festival.  
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"Brother Robert is one of the hardest working drummers in the business!" - Gregg Wright

Performing in San Felipe for over 10 years, this group is composed of master guitarist  Arturo Esquivias Yee, full throttle drummer Cesar Octavio Garcia Perez, bass master Jose Cruz Castaneda and Mike Sisco on keyboard. Performing together with powerhouse singer Ian Thompson.