The following is an interview/article that was recently published in The Telluride Watch" in Telluride, CO. Enjoy!
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By: Becca Thorson
The scene starts heating up tonight, when the tremendous Ryan McGarvey and his band will be tearing it up at the Fly Me to the Moon Saloon.

Telluride Blues & Brews fans may remember McGarvey shredding at last year’s festival, both on the Main Stage and at the Sheridan Opera House. The young Albuquerque phenom is carrying the torch in the blues tradition, following in the footsteps of other young players, a la Jonny Lang and Alex Maryol. But while McGarvey may invite comparisons, he's got his own thang goin’ on, and his scorching style has gotten him some big time attention, including the New Mexico Music Award for Blues Song of the Year for his song "Cryin' Over You," and being featured in Guitar Player Magazine twice last year.

"Performing at the 2008 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival was definitely a big highlight last year," he reflects. "Also, being able to share the stage with some incredible musicians that I not only look up to and admire, but am fortunate enough to call dear friends, such as Joe Bonamassa, Shemekia Copeland and Back Door Slam. We also had many more accolades in 2008, including me being voted by Albuquerque The Magazine as Best Local Musician, and for the second year in a row being voted Best Blues Act by The Weekly Alibi, and being nominated again for the New Mexico Music Award for Best Musical Production in the Blues category."

Obviously, the 22-year-old is on a roll, and plans to keep the momentum going this year.

"We are getting everything in line for quite a bit more touring than we have done in the past, including more Colorado shows this August, including our opening set at the First Annual Mile High Blues Festival in Denver," he says. "Also, bigger and better things are always in the works, including a new record to be released sometime in the early spring."

While many players his age are embracing hip-hop and other alt-rock forms, McGarvey says he’s firmly planted in the blues/rock genre. "I found the blues by tracing back the Classic Hard-Rock groups I admired when I was younger such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan," he says. "I saw how it influenced all the groups I loved, and then upon building my knowledge of the blues I came to see how it truly is the most pure, and in a technically simple aspect, the most difficult and beautiful genre of music that is out there to this day."

McGarvey is packing along his terrific band, which includes his buddies K.C. White on drums and Kevin Kraybill on bass. McGarvey adds that the power trio format gives him room to move. "They are both well-seasoned musicians, and highly respected in our home state of New Mexico. Plus, they’re great guys in addition to their superior playing abilities."

McGarvey notes that the band had a blast at Blues & Brews last year, and is ready to rock the Moon tonight. "Our live shows are leaps and bounds above what our recorded material showcases," he says. "We are really looking forward to the show, because we know it’s going to be a good one. So, come see what all the fuss is about, and be ready to rock the blues with us!"

McGarvey is poised for the big time, so catch him while you can. He and his band will be rippin’ tonight at the Moon