Standout Australian blues guitarist and singer, Miss Fiona Boyes is another one of the solid line up of artists booked in for the second annual Cairns Blues Festival. Her soulful blues style, has earned Boyes unprecedented international recognition.

For the past three years she has been one of the final five nominees in the Memphis based Blues Music Awards, and she is the only Australian artist to EVER be nominated!   She received a ‘Contemporary Blues Album of the Year” and “Contemporary Female Blues Artist of The Year” and just recently has been nominated in the prestigious ‘Traditional Female Blues Artists Of The Year!’

Her recently released Blues Woman, has received wide acclaim, and displays her soulful voice, her finger style attack to the guitar, and the good time spirit she can create when she performs ‘funky’ blues. Boyes says on the record, ‘I wanted to make a really muscular, exciting electric guitar driven album that explored as many different regional styles as possible.’ Mission accomplished!

She notes, ‘Touring with Bob Margolin and Hubert Sumlin’ — former guitarists for Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, respectively has been particularly inspiring; even just being around them listening to their stories and enjoying their encouragement.  They’ve both had a big impact on Blues Woman  Cairns Blues Festival will witness something truly magical when Boyes takes to the stage!

Just like Boyes, Cairns Blues Festival has become bigger and better!  With 2009’s debut being such a huge success, with 2000 punters soaking in the blues and the sun, the festival organisers have decided to give the punters what they want, more blues music!   In fact it was so successful organisers have decided to turn it into a two day festival, instead of just one, with international guests for the first time and more music for everyone.

Audiences can expect a bigger, brighter and more festive festival in 2010! Cairns is set to have its blues back again!  And Boyes is set to give it all! Cairns Blues Festival will be held at Fogarty Park, The Esplanade, Cairns over the Queensland Labour Day May long weekend Saturday and Sunday May 1 & 2.

Tickets are available from Ticketlink or 1300 855 835. Early bird 2-day weekend tickets $100 (available until April 5), 2nd release 2-day weekend tickets $120 ($130 at the gate), 1-day event tickets $75.00. ***Children 13-years and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. For more information go to Cairns Blues Festival website.