CW Ayon

CW Ayon is a one-man blues powerhouse from Las Cruces, New Mexico, who creates a deceptively large sound using foot drums, guitar, vocals, and harmonica. Originally from Reserve, New Mexico, Cooper "CW" Ayon learned guitar from his musically trained wife Carol and has been performing as a solo act since 2009. His soul is deeply rooted in Mississippi Hill Country blues, drawing inspiration from legends like Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Robert Belfour.

With his simple kick/snare and tambourine setup, Ayon lays down solid beats while picking out catchy hooks on acoustic and resonator guitars, sometimes adding harmonica for good measure. His unique one-man band approach has earned him recognition in the blues community, including New Mexico Music Awards for "Seen My Baby" in 2010 and "End of My Rope" in 2013. Since 2009, he has consistently released original albums under the Solitary Records label out of Chicago, with a notable live album recorded at the Rio Grande Theatre.

CW Ayon regularly performs at blues festivals and venues throughout the Southwest, bringing the authentic sounds of Hill Country blues to the desert landscapes of New Mexico.