Praise for Meant To Be: “This raw, intimate sounding recording presents a phenomenal guitarist…His musical talent & song writing skills are Top Shelf throughout “Meant To Be” and his razor edged solos show his knowledge of the fret board!! This Bluesman deserves a Celebration of the highest mark” Jackie Gisclar, Electric Rooster Entertainment “Reminiscent of an almost-Robert Cray vocal vibe and writing style, blended with a slight Stevie Ray guitar motif, Tijerina continues the long tradition that is the blues. The latest release, Meant to Be, has all the frills of a solid blues record.” Chibo Acevedo, Marquee Magazine “Meant To Be…combines traditional blues sounds and themes with words of positivity and hope…The solos are classy, tasteful, and will not lead you wandering off the strong beat provided by Dave Heidt on bass, and Curly Castillo on drums. The songs are original, almost eclectic, while still maintaining integrity. The vocals compliment the mix, and the songs are easy to get into and sing along with.” *4 star rating* - Steamboat Local “One of the reasons that make this album so special is the freshness, the excitement and the grit that Tijerina infuses.”David Steinberg, Albuquerque Journal “Tijerina is a master of vivid story telling though modern sound, and this energizing trio keeps the beat powerful and fresh.” Diego Mulligan, Weekly Alibi About the Band For over a decade guitarist/singer/songwriter, Todd Tijerina, (Tee-her-ee-na) has steadily made a living playing his fierce brand of cutting edge blues-rock in Chicago and the greater US as Tijerina's (formerly The Todd Tijerina Band) guitarist/singer. In addition to front man duties, a three year stint in Chicago ('97 - '00) offered opportunities to work as guitarist for such artists as internationally revered bluesman, Byther Smith, the legendary Harmonica Hinds, and BB's daughter, Shirley King. It was during this time in the Windy City that Todd and his band won Chicagoland's Rory's Blues Talent Competition 1999 which featured 35 acts from across the US. The victory funded recording expenses for the group's 2000 release, The Lowdown. Since then the band has released two more albums, Welcome Home in 2004 and Now in 2006, which have enjoyed radio play in the US, Australia and Europe. Infusing funk, rock and jazz elements into his blues stylings, Todd has always striven to be unique as a songwriter and guitarist. Rootstime (Belgium) declares that he “creates his own style and sound… His manner of guitar playing, singing and songwriting is refreshing and inspiring.” The Promised Land Entertainment Magazine states, “[the band's] newest release is a perfect example of how to take the old and mix in the new to get a feeling of something very special… From the opening instrumental you can tell you're in for a ride you won't forget.” Putnay Thomas of Blues On Stage magazine states, “His music is distinctive… His guitar playing as much power and expression as any guitarist I've heard…It's just a matter of time before he gets a major label release.” Todd's unique sound is a result of his own take on songwriting with an emphasis on maintaining potent hooks, personal identity and grooves that cross genre lines which help explain his contribution's relevancy to blues as an evolving art form. Providing the backbone and punch in Tijerina's grooves on bass/background vocals and drums respectively are Dave Heidt and Bill Vietch, both of whom have toured nationally and recorded with various blues, funk, latin, rock and jazz ensembles. Along with frontman, Todd Tijerina, they are well established as a force to experience first hand. The band's unique sound and mastery over its music has enabled bookings at some of the most prestigious blues venues in the southwest and Chicago: Southwest venues include: Telluride Blues & Brews, (Telluride, CO) Silver City Blues Festival (Silver City, NM) Blues Under the Bridge Fest (Colo Springs, CO) Animas River Blues Fest (Aztec, NM) Beaver Creek June Jam (Beaver Creek, CO) Madrid Blues Festival (Madrid, NM) Morro Theater (Gallup, NM) River Fest (Farmington, NM) Mesa Theater (Grand Junction, CO) Trinidadio Blues Fest (Trindad, CO) Tugboat (Steamboat Springs, CO) The Foundry (Boulder, CO) The Birdcage (Prescott, AZ) Scoot 'n Blues (Durango, CO) Mountain of Blues Fest (Ruidoso, NM) Keystone Blues Fest & Art Show (Keystone, CO) Blues & Brews Festival (SLC, UT) Silverton Jamboree Music Fest (Silverton, CO) South Park Music Tour (Alma, CO) Rally in the Rockies (Ignacio, CO) Fire & Ice Bike Rally (Grants, NM) NM Blues & Brews Fest (Santa Fe, NM) Albuquerque Blues Festival (Alb., NM) Sherbino Theater (Ridgeway, CO) Mission Theatre (Grants, NM) The Dead Goat (Salt Lake City, UT) Charly's (Flagstaff, AZ) Brendan's Pub (Denver) Railroad Blues (Alpine, TX) Boomers (Grand Junction, CO) and many others… Chicago notables include: House of Blues hotel Chord On Blues Slice Chicago Rosa's Harlem Ave Lounge Beale Street Blues Café and many others Consistently increasing its touring radius and base of support amongst fans and music industry allies alike, the band is making strides towards the international market. Tijerina has also shared the stage with such well-known artists as: Kansas Canned Heat Coco Montoya The Fabulous Thunderbirds Head East Sonny Landreth Ronnie Baker Brooks Jimmy Thackery & The Driver Kelley Hunt Joanna Connor Michael Hill's Blues Mob The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Anders Osbourne Richard Johnston The Campbell Brothers PRESS QUOTES “It has been many years since a guitarist has come on the scene and offered the kind of inspiration to young guitarists as did the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. But in mine and others opinion, Todd may well be the one to carry that torch. His manner of soloing, writing and singing is refreshing and inspiring. Trust me readers, we'll be hearing a lot more about this artist.” – Rootstime CD Reviews (review of Now) "Todd Tijerina’s funk and jazz tinged, high-energy blues guitar playing is instantly recognizable in an era inundated with oh-so-familiar-sounding blues guitarists. His thick guitar tone and fervent phrasing compliment his blues soaked voice and help explain his popularity."— The Promised Land Entertainment Magazine "his music is distinctive...his guitar playing has as much power and expression as any guitarist I’ve heard in a short one minute solo....It’s just a matter of time before he gets a major label release." Putnay Thomas, Blues On Stage “Tijerina’s technical prowess is glazed with a finesse that can mesmerize an audience into a state of spellbound awe. His inherent sense of the groove, however, is so strong and insistent that to sit unmoving through his performances is inconceivable.” Rima Ralff, Tempo Magazine-Taos News "Every once in awhile a person gets a chance to catch a rising star in a venue that years later has them saying, "I can’t believe we saw him here!" Well, Grand Junction, that chance will be yours on Sunday, June 10 at Grande River Vineyards, when the Todd Tijerina Band takes the stage for a night of unforgettable entertainment that will have you shaking your head in wonder for years to come... If you caught their show at The Chameleon Club a couple of years ago, you know what a rare treat seeing them live is!... His newest release, The Lowdown, is a perfect example of how to take the old and mix in the new to get a feeling of something very special. Besides being a guitar player extraordinaire, Todd has a hand in writing all the songs on The Lowdown. From the opening instrumental you can tell you’re in for a ride you won’t forget. "--The Promised Land Entertainment Magazine About every decade an artist comes on the horizon that changes the flow for the positive and Todd Tijerina is that vessel. With his self-produced 'The Lowdown' he sets the course for the next generation of Blues-Rock musicians. His tone is the first sign that there is something special going on here. And then there are the songs, the writing; profound, and crafted with a wit that only comes from the universe's powers. Todd Tijerina studied Albert King and yes, you can hear SRV, but what you really hear when you turn it up and listen, is the next premier artist that will unleash his talents on the population and make one think within themselves and help make a change for us all. The lowdown makes me want more, and I'm sure , that's on the horizon. After hearing "The Lowdown" I had to check this artist out and I'm so glad I did. Powerful, vibrant, tight, and what a professional; the stars await this young man. Todd Tijerina, Ya'll best be paying attention, Todd Tijerina is coming and your gonna like it!"--JaBeaux, KVNF FM & Bluedog Entertainment "Todd is a tremendous guitarist (with an alluring, slightly gritty voice) accompanied by the well-suited rhythm section of Troy Lawhon (bass) and Matt Tessler (drums)... This album makes me want to hear this trio in concert." Review of Welcome Home in RootsTown Music, Belgium "...TODD TIJERINA is more ego-free soulman than six-string showboat. Not that he can’t burn a fretboard with the best of ‘em--one spin of his new disc, The Lowdown, proves that--but Tijerina and his band lay down a tune and a rock-solid groove well before the solo sparks fly, not the other way around. Nothing against the over-the-top likes of your Chris Duartes, but it’s nice to hear a guy who puts his audience above his own stroke-fests once in awhile." Bill Frost--Senior Arts Editor--Salt Lake City Weekly "His new album, The Lowdown, showcases Tijerina and his band's many musical gifts, and is well worth the listen...From the first note of each tune, he plays with a confidence and an intensity that immediately draws the listener in. Like all good musicians, he makes his guitar talk, whisper, growl and wail, coaxing emotions from his instrument as if it were alive."-- Rob Williams, Crosswinds Weekly "This guy is something else! I mean let me tell you!...[Tijerina is] able to blend [his] voice and guitar. The phrasing on both of them is incredible."--Jackie Gisclar, KAFM Radio, Grand Junction, CO "Todd Tijerina knows the blues. From the first note he strikes on his guitar, it's apparent that something great is happening. Tijerina knows the blues can be hot, cool, happy, sad and just about everything in between. He can play shuffles, call and response, slow ballads and bright celebrations. "He shows off all those sounds and more here. Even more impressive, all of the songs on the disc are original. They're close enough to the classics to provide a frame of reference, but Tijerina's guitar playing and singing are all his own. "Now, he is from the Chicago area, and it's pretty apparent that Tijerina has picked up a few mannerisms from a number of area players. What he does is take those pieces and assemble them into his own, unique style. A fluid, yet sometimes fiery sound, Tijerina plays with an almost incomprehensible intensity. "Laid back? Not here. Tijerina and his band charge hard, even in the slower numbers. Can't fault the guys for effort, and the results stack up in the positive column as well. One quality set of songs."--Aiding & Abetting "Todd is one of those who seems to possess the requisite skills to not only succeed but excel in trio form. He's a very talented musician and a dynamic performer, backed by a very solid rhythm section. This is high energy, guitar driven, power trio blues."--Chicagoland's Chord On Blues News "Todd's roots are evident, his playing is clean and streamlined, the intensity sneaks up then reaches out and grabs you. It makes you listen."— Cathy Ray--Editor--Albuquerque Blues Rag "Todd is a very accomplished guitar player and vocalist. From the first note to the last, he's...On Fire!!!"-- Chicagoland's Chord On Blues News "Their music is characterized by dazzling guitar work, scintillating vocal harmonies and uplifting rythms that have the dance floor moving from the start of the show until the last note is played."--New Mexico Sentinel