Meet The 2023 Telluride Blues Challenge Winner: Marcus Trummer
Congratulations to Marcus Trummer, the winner of the 2023 Telluride Blues Challenge! Marcus competed against nearly 40 entries, and topped five other finalists at the Telluride Blues Challenge on Saturday, September 16 and won a Martin 000-10E Sapele guitar provided by Telluride Music Company, two performances at this year's and next year's Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, a three-night performance on the 2023 Durango Blues Train, and a $300 cash prize. Marcus Trummer weaves soul, blues, and rock into a modern sound steeped in tradition that Trummer calls “rock & soul”.
Coming off the big win after his first performance in the US, we sat down with Marcus to learn more.
How was your Telluride experience? How did it feel to win?
After two days of driving down from Alberta alone, it was refreshing to be surrounded by so many friendly people at the festival. The blues challenge finals on the Saturday morning had a warm atmosphere and the feel of comradery between all of the competitors was encouraging. Winning and getting to play on the mainstage was just an incredible experience. I rarely get nervous before performing these days, however before stepping on the main stage I felt it a bit—the crowd was huge. The whole weekend was intensely inspiring. It’s days like those that I look back on when I need motivation to keep going in my career.
How did you hear about the challenge?
I was actually just going to attend the festival, however while having dinner with my parents one night I told them about my plans to go and that’s when my Mom brought up the blues challenge. She had heard about it in previous years. I knew I had to enter, especially as I was already planning to come.
How did you get your start in music? What artists do you pull inspiration from?
Both of my parents are musical and my biggest inspiration to pick up the guitar was seeing my Dad play as a kid. While in High School, I put together a band and got my start playing gigs by hosting a youth jam night at a local blues bar here in Calgary called The Blues Can. Hanging around there I got to watch and learn from a lot of the city’s older blues musicians and that definitely played a role in shaping the direction I’ve gone in with my music. Some of the artists that have influenced me most include: Bill Withers, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Allman Brothers Band.
Are you looking forward to the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and Durango Blues Train next year?
Yeah, the blues challenge was my first performance in the US and I can’t wait to come back to play again. The Durango Blues Train sounds like a crazy fun time… and I’m all for it! I’m hoping to bring my band with me to Blues & Brews next year and I plan to book some other shows around the region as well.
Any plans around the events? Touring? An album?
We're in the process of finishing my debut album which will be released next year. Once that comes out the plan is to hit the road and not look back.
The TELLURIDE BLUES CHALLENGE
The Telluride Blues Challenge is an annual competition hosted by the Telluride Blues Society and Telluride Music Company. The competition showcases talented musicians who excel in the Blues genre and is open to any solo performer(s), acoustic and electric, who are not currently signed to a major record label or publishing deal.
Think you have what it takes to compete in the Telluride Blues Challenge?
Submissions for next year will open January 2, 2024!
The Durango Blues Train
Watch Marcus perform aboard Colorado’s most scenic musical experience on the Durango Blues Train on August 22, 23 & 24, 2024. You can also catch him at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival on September 13-15, 2024 on the Blues Stage.