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Cooper “CW” Ayon says he really enjoys changing people’s idea of blues music, getting folks to dance and making them forget about their worries for a couple hours. As one of the state’s most celebrated and prolific bluesmen, it’s not too hard to catch him singing and playing guitar alongside an upright bass player named Felipe Toltecatl — the pair are known as the CW Ayon Duo — in a dark bar or intimate tear-and-booze-soaked venue somewhere in New Mexico. But he’s no stranger to the big festival scene, either, and he’s played everywhere from well-established blues circuits in the U.S. (Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, you name it) to stages in France, Switzerland and even Australia. His resume speaks for itself, and his music speaks to anyone who’s ever been homesick, felt like there Ain’t No Use In Moving or empathized with a man who’s reached the “End of my Rope.” No matter where he’s playing, he will bring a smile to your face and get those happy feet movin’ no matter what’s givin’ you a case of the blues. And he does it with a flair and style that wails New Mexico.
Will you describe your sound for us?
I would say that my sound is based on Hill Country blues from the northern part of Mississippi. Hill Country has a focus on the groove of a song. Usually droning on just one chord. Not a typical 1-4-5 blues progression.
What are your favorite venues to play and why?
Oooohhh, that could be a long list. I’ll name just a few. Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid, New Mexico is always a fun one and Kip’s in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Elephant Ranch here in Las Cruces is awesome. I really enjoy playing venues that are small to medium-sized with no separation between the crowd and the band. I really love to feel the energy exchange.
What are your lyrics about?
It seems that I tend to write songs about going home. Being on the road a fair amount tends to make me miss being at home. I also tried to write about things to bring me joy, or an experience that really meant something to me, and that other people could hopefully connect with. When I can hear someone singing my words back to me from an original song it’s almost overwhelming.
What bands or genres inspire your music?
My major influences, especially on my guitar playing, are RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. These days, I seem to be listening to all kinds of music — from Beethoven all the way to Don Williams and everything in between. RL and Junior both sang and played guitar. Two distinctly different voices on guitar. RL was more boogie/groove, and Kimbrough had a slinkier style he called “cotton patch blues.”
What is the best show you have ever played and why?
I think the best show I ever played was my very first one. Because it gave me the confidence and the drive to follow music and see where it might take me. My first show as a one man band was around 2009 here in Las Cruces at a bar called the Rainforest. It’s no longer open. It cemented in my mind that it was possible to play solo and sound bigger than one guy.
What is the best show you have ever seen and why?
Hmmmmm. That’s a tough one. I think I would have to say it was a guy named Richard Johnston, he was a one-man-band from Memphis, and I got to see him play at the Silver City Blues Festival years ago. Watching him play drums with his feet, play guitar and sing was so eye-opening for me that one person could make all of that music and hold a solid groove and an audience. It was a seismic event in my mind, and it spurred me on even more to pursue music.
Ayon’s resume really is impressive, and he plays a lot. For a calendar of upcoming gigs, his music store, bio, press, photos and more, visit cwayon.com.
You can also find and purchase his music on his bandcamp page here.
To hear CW Ayon and Felipe Toltecatl jamming together “behind the bottles” at the Elephant Ranch Bar in Las Cruces, watch the video for “Been a Long Time” here.
Catch the CW Ayon Duo performing “What They Say” at the Mineshaft in Madrid live in 2019 here.
Open Mic Mondays: CW Ayon is a story from The Paper.. Publishing from New Mexico’s largest city, The Paper is your source for local, independent news, covering politics, arts, culture, and events.