The 5th Annual Coyote Kings Invitational Walla Walla Guitar Festival, in conjunction with Feast Walla Walla, is a multi-venue Blues & Roots music, food, and wine celebration weekend in Beautiful Downtown Walla Walla! This year’s dates are April 8, 9, & 10, 2016.
Gesa Power House Theatre welcomes Sugaray Rayford to open the Festival on Friday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. This international sensation is one of the most sought-after stars in Blues today. When Sugaray belts out a song, you not only hear it, you feel it.
Sugaray’s dynamic voice is as large as the man and with his old-school vocal style, echoes of Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Teddy Pendergrass can be heard. At 6’5” he is a big man, but he moves with grace and energy. His fluid dance steps will remind you of the legendary James Brown.
The excitement in the room is palpable as this superb vocalist and entertainer and his band take the stage. Rayford’s band is filled with elite members, each with a long list of credits and accomplishments.
“Gino Matteo on guitar is worth the price of admission on his own. With Sugaray & the rest of his stellar band it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever had to pleasure of attending.” ~ Robin Barrett
Sugaray is nominated for four 2016 Blues Music Awards; Best Contemporary Blues Album, Best Contemporary Blues Male Artist, Best Song, and The B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award.
Artists performing at this year’s Festival include:
- SUGARAY RAYFORD
- RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS
- THE 44s
- ROBIN BARRETT & COYOTE KINGS w/TIPH DAMES
- BEN HUNTER & JOE SEAMONS
- AYRON JONES & THE WAY
- BIG MONTI & RAE GORDON
- RANDY OXFORD’S ALL-STAR SLAM
- CHARLIE BUTTS & THE FILTER TIPS
- THE STACY JONES BAND
- BILLY STOOPS & THE DIRT ANGELS
- THE SARA BROWN BAND
- THE WASTELAND KINGS
- TREVALYAN BLUE
- VAUGHN JENSEN
- TUCK FOSTER
- SHANKS PONY
- PAPPA FRITA & THE HOT MUSTARD
- GARY WINSTON & THE REAL DEAL
- THE BARN DWELLERS
- IGUANA HAT
- WINSTON/HEMENWAY
- RAE GORDON
Click here for the 2016 WWFGF MUSIC SCHEDULE
Venues include Gesa Power House Theatre, Sapolil Cellars, The Marcus Whitman, The Elks, The VFW, The Eagles, and the Large Tent, with more artists and venues to be added.
Five local motels are offering discounted rates, ranging from luxury ($150 per night) to budget ($60 per night), for WWGF patrons.
A variety of ticket packages are available from the Sugaray concert only ($30) to a full-festival pass ($105). Tickets are available at wallawallaguitarfestival.com.
Feast Walla Walla and Walla Walla Guitar festival have teamed up for the weekend. Go to www.downtownwallawalla.com for all the details.
