Tony Painting and The Blues Power with Van Wilks

Tony Painting and The Blues Power have become firm favourites with the music loving public and musicians alike. Fronted by UK-born guitarist and vocalist Tony Painting their special brand of blistering guitar based boogie blues/rock is a real show stopper.


Tony Paintings UK roots are well known having spent the better part of the '70s, '80s and '90s as a working musician (see bios) touring the many pubs and clubs in the UK and later after the release of his “Band of Gypsy's” album where Tony penned all but two of the songs was invited to either support or play with some of the UK’s best-known artists including UB40, Jools Holland Big Band, Ozzy Osborne, Ruby Turner and Robert Plant.

Tony and the band have played at prestigious events including the Fiji Jazz and Blues Festival, the Samoa Jazz and Blues Festival, and has toured the country with the NZ Jazz and Blues Festivals shows in Whangarei, Matakana and Ngatea and is a regular at The Kings Arms, Biddy Mulligans in Hamilton, and The Juice Bar He can also tour this act as the NZ Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute show.

Van Wilks Born in Galveston, TX, Van Wilks began playing guitar at a young age as a youthful refuge while his family constantly moved around Texas. Influenced heavily by the British Invasion, Wilks began to hone in on his sound early on. He moved to Austin in the early 70s, a time when guitar was defined by volume and power. Combining previous influences and his own style, Wilks brought his guitar muscle and class to the people of Austin through his popular band, Fools. Wilks’ distinct and unique ability caught the attention of many notable industry names, including ZZ Top manager, Bill Ham. In 1979, he signed with Mercury records and released his first record, Bombay Tears, in 1980.Since his first release, Van Wilks has built an illustrious career that includes six solo albums, one live album, and multiple globe-spanning tours with acts such as ZZ Top, Heart, Van Halen, Journey, Aerosmith, and countless other. His career has led him on a scorched earth path from Texas to Moscow, the Virgin Islands to India, and everywhere in between. Along with that, Van Wilks was featured on ZZ Top’s Live at Montreux Jazz Festival DVD.
Throughout the years, Wilks has acquired an impressive trophy collection, winning multiple Austin Music Awards, being voted best electric and acoustic guitarist in the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll, and being inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. In addition to that, Wilks guitar prowess has been featured on albums such as the Geezinslaw Brothers’ The Eclectic Horseman (w/ Willie Nelson), The Texas Christmas Collection (Duet w/ Eric Johnson), Texas Guitarslingers Volume I, Double Trouble’s Been A Long Time, and KLBJ-FM’s Local Licks.
Van Wilks credentials highlight his successful and storied past. 21st Century Blues lets us know that Van Wilks will continue to be a trendsetter that is here to stay.