(click image for “Roll The Dice” track from album of same name)

Representing the Blues Society of Omaha, Hector Anchondo competed against over 200 acts at the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge (IBC) and won first place for his Solo/Duo performance. He also garnered the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for Best Acoustic Solo/Duo Guitarist.

“I’m so honored by these awards,” Anchondo said. “I love what I do, music in my passion and not very many people get this recognition. It’s truly an honor and I’m just so happy right now, overwhelmed with pride and thanks to all my fans and the people that support my music.”

Growing up on a Missouri farm, Anchondo soaked up Roots music, Latino music, bluegrass and old blues. He picked up the guitar as teen, and as soon as he finished high school, he headed for Omaha, to make a life playing guitar. When the recession of 2008 happened, work dried up in the music scene, and the stress took its toll. Anchondo found himself without a band, working as a dishwasher in a Cuban restaurant.

When you put your mind to doing the thing you were born to do, the universe helps. Anchondo got an unexpected call from an old friend in St. Louis. He’d been a fan of Anchondo’s Latin music, but he had always loved those blues songs Anchondo snuck in even more.

Anchondo wrote 30 songs that summer, narrowed it to five, and put out an EP called Kicking Up Dust. The album did well; he did Young Guns two years later. The band started sharing stages with the biggest names in blues, including Coco Montoya, Magic Slim and the Royal Southern Brotherhood. His most recent CD, Roll the Dice, is saturated with his history of blues, with flavors of Latin, rockabilly and Americana. It showcases the flawless, fluid and brilliant style that he earned in 20 years of love and discipline. The album leaped to the top of blues charts, including the top 25 on the Living Blues chart, and had spent many weeks on the Roots Music Report blues and blues rock charts.

Anchondo’s previous appearances at the IBC included a prestigious finalist performance in the band category (among the top eight vote-getters performing in the IBC finals in 2016). The Hector Anchondo Band also made it to the semifinals in 2015. The International Blues Challenge finals are judged by a panel of blues industry professionals according to criteria established by The Blues Foundation.

Upcoming tour dates:

MAR 6: Sylvester’s – Broken Bow, NE

MAR 7: Corner Bar – Fremont, NE

MAR 10: The Omaha Lounge – Omaha, NE

MAR 12: House of Blues Chicago – Chicago, IL

MAR 13: Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar & Grill – Rock Island, IL

MAR 14: Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ – Bellevue, IA

MAR 17: The Omaha Lounge – Omaha, NE

MAR 18: Stocks n Bonds – Omaha, NE

MAR 21: Full Fledged Brewing Company – Council Bluffs, IA

MAR 22: (kol) – Rapid City, SD,

MAR 24: The Omaha Lounge – Omaha, NE

MAR 25-29: Saloon No. 10 – Deadwood, SD

MAR 31: The Omaha Lounge – Omaha, NE

Upcoming special events include…

MAY 22: Silver City Blues Festival – Silver City, NM

JUN 6: Chicago Blues Festival – Chicago, IL

JUN 19: Fort Smith Blues Festival – Fort Smith, AR

JUN 24-28: Blues On Whytem – Edmonton, AB, Canada

OCT 25-Nov 1: Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise – Fort Lauderdale, FL

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