A Fan-Led Blues Rock Festival in Mexico Says Music Can Reunite North America—One Shot, One Song, One Cause at a Time

Zihuatanejo, Guerrero Jul 10, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - From animal rescue to border unity, the Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosions Fest isnt just having fun and raising moneyin Mexico, when its cold almost everywhere elseits raising eyebrows, flags, and hell. While political leaders argue about walls and trade deals, a grassroots music festival is taking a different approach: inviting the Presidents of the United States and Mexico and the Prime Minister of Canada to a love-fueled tequila-powered summit by the sea. The Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosions Festival, set for January 2225, 2026, is blending classic blues and rock, beach vibes, and bold causes to revive the
long-faded 3 Amigos spiritand theyre asking fans to help lead the charge.

(Lineup info summary below) -2- Go Here For Festival Lineup Announcements As Of July 8 Performers for 2026 Festival: Joanna Connor (USA) legendary blues rock guitar & vocals originals and covers, Evelyn Rubio-USA/Mexico-soulful blues, blues rock & rock originals and covers, Geoff & Chris Dahl-Canada-Soul Brothers Show A Tribute to the Blues Brothers & ZZ Top Cheap Sunglasses Homage (Canada), Lorena Cabrera Bernal-Mexico City-vocals and bass guitar-the music of Janis Joplin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) and Anne Wilson (Heart) and more 60s, 70s & 80s classic hits; Tangerine-Becoming Led Zeppelin Tribute (Mexico City) Dirty Deeds AC-DC On Tour Tribute (Mexico City) Events Scheduled To Date:
Friday, January 23, Opening Night At Madana Bar and Restaurant, Zihuatanejo 6:00 to 11 pm Saturday, January 24, Afternoon Oceanside Beach Party 1:30-4:30 pm, Coco Ixtapa Beach Klub, Playa Linda. Dates and Times for Events at La Mexicana, Troncones and Tanta Vida, Ixtapa (new venue for 2026) and possibly more locations, will be announced before
mid-October Were not naivewe know Trump, Sheinbaum, and Carney probably wont show, said festival founder Bob Rempel. But it is a perfect location for a relaxed meeting environment, he said. The Festival and the rockin continue, of course..But we wont give up without getting our message out everywhere and selling our great to hidden paradise here too. Andy Dufresne (Shawshank Redemption) loved it. We know they would too.
But fans will come. And theyre demonstrating with their actions what unity really looks like in action. Three countries, one stage, and a whole lot of heart. Weve been 3 Amigos/Amigas as a Fest since we first started in 2018. And why wouldnt they show, he added. Its January. Its cold and snowy almost everywhere else.

There is no big hero story about the Fest. No one grandiose gesture. Just common folk from all three countries with a mission to leave a little something behind in the community and region where they hold their events. To steal a title from a great Sean Rowe song.
Just the other day, one of our volunteers saw two just born puppies lying by the side of the road. Abandoned, thrown away. Almost dead. Sadly true of what often happens with younger animals. He brought them to the mini animal Rescue Shelter in rural Ixtapa we support. One died on the way to the vet, but Koko (named after Koko Taylor, the famous Chicago female blues singer) was revived and treated. All animals are named after male or female rock and blues performers.

Now growing slowly every day, but missing her sister, its obvious. There is the story of Sandy and her cancerous tumours, where we took action by paying for costly medical bills to prolong Sandys life. Unfortunately, the cancerous tumours were too far along, and she succumbed in time. But her next six months were maybe the best shes ever had. There is the story of Blackie and his rear fully broken leg. Our campaign to support Blackies medical treatment was successful and after a pin was installed in his rear hind leg, he is now active and thriving on four legs. With the ongoing help of its fans and supporters, the Fest has been able to commit to a 3-year program of neutering street animals and young animals, both in clinics it will organize and in one-on-one treatment.

https://tequilabluesrock.com/we-make-firm-committments-for-local-and-regional-commun ity-support-for-street-animals-and-kids-that-want-to-rock/

Clinics for local youth musicians are being held in association with Festival events, and we hold spots on our lineup for youth musicians from the local community and elsewhere in the country, since we started in 2018. Imagine local youth guitarists getting an instructional clinic from the legendary Joanna Connor, Rempel said. Or a saxophone clinic from Evelyn Rubio. Or vocals from Lorena Cabrera Bernal and Evelyn. Not an opportunity they will ever likely have again.

Each year, the goal is bigger: save more lives, raise more hope, and show that unity doesnt need a treatyjust a great riff and the right mindset. With no corporate sponsors or government money, the festival runs entirely on fan-powered cash flow and tequila-fueled generosity. Attendees and Venues will be invited to create their own Amigos groups, representing all three countries, and will receive rewards for showing the most cross-border spirit. A special social media campaign will challenge old and new fans to invite friends and acquaintances from the other two countries. With a theme of Forget the Fighting at the Top, still love you Bro, still love you Sister. Lets get together again in January. Weve got the rockin bands with classic rock and blues that will make fans feel truly alive. Weve got the good tequilahave to, its in our name, and more. Always cold drinks, said Rempel with a smile. Lets see if thats finally enough to bring the 3 Amigos back together. Fans and the people of Canada, the USA and Mexico need to show the way for their political leaders. Just our opinion here in Hidden Paradise, Mexico, but we live it, have lived it for a long time, and were sticking with it. The Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosions Festival, now in its eighth year, returns January 22-25, 2026, with a rallying cry: Lets party with purposeand prove that the Three Amigos still ride together. Amiga is now added on the ride, of course. If the leaders cant agree, let the fans do it better, said festival founder Bob Rempel, originally of Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, on behalf of the all-volunteer Team Tequila Social Club. Weve got rockin Canadians, tequila-loving Americans, and proud Mexicans at the local level. Working with very talented Big Hearted Performers from all three countries, too. All singing from the same setlistfor animals, kids, and music that heals. ????WHATS NEW IN 2026? New Fest themes, more tequila samplers from partner brands, Lovefest with the shirt Love Lives Here, classic cars and motorcycles invited to display for prizes, Music theme: Chicago Blues Meet Mexico, Marketing themes: Feeling Truly Alive With The Music Of Our LivesSnowbirds Fly south with the Monarch Butterflies. They canso can you and Baby PLEASE Lets Go To Mexico

3 AMIGOS EXPERIENCE: A cross-border celebration with themed performances, drinks, and matching merchOne Nation Under Groove.

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CAUSES THAT COUNT: Proceeds from draws & raffles and donations support a local Street Animal Rescue Medical Treatment & Neutering Fund, Music Education for Disadvantaged Kids, and soon hopefully a Dream Wish Fund for terminally ill youth in the region.

CALL FOR MORE AMIGOS: Fans can now create their own groupbring 3+ new to Fest folks and earn rewards like backstage access, stage shout-outs, or free tequila shots (if your liver dares).

From Fiesta to Force for Good

What started as a small gathering of music lovers in 2018 is now a fan-powered movementa fiesta that funds real change. Over the past three years, from just fan-supported raffles and draws alone, the event has been able to make a 3-year commitment beginning in fall 2025 to provide neutering clinics for street animals and Its sunshine and soulful fun, but you leave with a full heart, too, said 2025 attendee Lupita Lopez from San Diego. You coe for the blues and rock, you leave believing in people again.

???? SAVE THE DATE:
Tequila Rock n Blues Explosions Festival
January 22-25, 2026 Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones, Mexico
Advance Tickets on sale now: https://tequilabluesrock.com
???? QUOTABLE:
This isnt a mega-corporate festivalits grassroots rock and blues with a low-key key relaxed vibe, uncrowded, but with a big purpose. Bob Rempel, Festival Organizer
We call it the Feel Good Fiesta. Because it does goodand feels even better. Volunteer Team Member
Well see your political 3 Amigos summitand raise you a stage full of love, blues, and tequila. Fan Comment, 2025
This may sound like we are not politically savvy, but I assure you I did study politics at a Tequila Inn one night and in real life, I actually was involved in the political process for many years. The key thing is we take our experience here and say it would be far better for us to all work together for everyones benefit, as good neighbours do - Bob Rempel,
Canada, Fest Director.

???? MEDIA & PRESS MATERIALS AVAILABLE:
https://tequilabluesrock.com/media/ & https://photos.app.goo.gl/VcVoihT7zeCKCDkw6
Performer Lineup (To Date-incl. U.S., Canadian, Mexican artists)
Events Scheduled (To Date)
High-res photos, logos, and video clips
Partners & human interest story contacts
Interview opportunities with performers, fans, and volunteers
MoreFor New Fans: How To Get Help, For Working Media: On Site Support
???? Media contact:
Bob Rempel
[email protected]
+52-755-101-5989
https://tequilabluesrock.com/media
???? Where governments divide, music connects. Join the groove this Januaryand be 
part of the unity we all need. Performers for 2026 Festival As of July 8 (Further Announcements to Come by mid-October) Joanna Connor, Chicago, USA, legendary blues rock guitarist and vocalistmusicians will know about or see her amazing guitar talentsmaybe the best guitarist ever at our Fest and all events in Zihua-Ixtapa)

https://www.instagram.com/joannaconnorguitar/

https://www.joannaconnorwreckingcrew.com/ (website)

Evelyn Rubio USA/Mexico soul blues, blues rock and rock-saxophone and vocals

https://evelynrubio.com (website)

https://www.facebook.com/evelynrubiosax/

Geoff & Chris Dahl-Canada. The Soul Brothers, are also assisting the Fest Director as Musical Directors. Tribute to the Blues Brothers & Cheap Sunglasses Tribute to ZZ Top
https://youtu.be/5PSCyPa1p7