Hector Anchondo

“His slide guitar is impeccable and voice, well for a 30-something, it’s mature for a blues singer” — Saint Joseph News Press

Things just keep looking up for Hector Anchondo. Although recent years have been difficult for entertainers everywhere, Anchondo won the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category in 2020 and this year he celebrates his first BMA nomination for Best Acoustic Blues Album for his recent release “Let Loose Those Chains.”

The Midwest has known about Anchondo’s phenomenal guitar work, soulful voice, and creative songwriting for more than 20 years. The Omaha virtuoso has been one of the top performing acts in and around Nebraska for many years. In the last decades, he has won enormous recognition in the region, including representing the Blues Society of Omaha at the International Blues Competition three times.

The third time was the charm: Anchondo entered the 2020 International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category and came away with the top prize. He also took home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for best guitarist in the solo/duo competition. In 2015 the Héctor Anchondo Band made the semifinals and in 2016 the Héctor Anchondo Band went all the way to the finals. 

For Anchondo, it was the culmination of a lifetime of devotion to his craft. “Winning this feels like a reward for having stuck with music for 24 years,” Anchondo says. “I had flashbacks of all the journeys, sleeping on floors, years of sleeping in the van, overnight drives, no pay, credit card debt for the cause, broken-down vans, the list goes on.” 

With the IBC trophy in hand and 2020 appearances including The Chicago Blues Festival, The Big Blues Bender and the October Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise adding to his resume, Anchondo continues to build on a solid foundation of hard work and hard touring. Each year his touring base, and his fame, expands to include more of the nation.