Zihuatanejo, Guerrero Jul 10, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - From animal rescue to border unity, the Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosions Fest isn’t just having fun and raising money—in Mexico, when it’s cold almost everywhere else—it’s 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 22–25, 2026, is blending classic blues and rock, beach vibes, and bold causes to revive the
long-faded “3 Amigos” spirit—and they’re 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 60’s, 70’s & 80’s 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 “We’re not naive—we know Trump, Sheinbaum, and Carney probably won’t 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 won’t 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 they’re demonstrating with their actions what unity really looks like in action. Three countries, one stage, and a whole lot of heart.” “We’ve been 3 Amigos/Amigas as a Fest since we first started in 2018”. “And why wouldn’t they show, he added. It’s January. It’s 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, it’s obvious. There is the story of Sandy and her cancerous tumours, where we took action by paying for costly medical bills to prolong Sandy’s life. Unfortunately, the cancerous tumours were too far along, and she succumbed in time. But her next six months were maybe the best she’s 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 doesn’t need a treaty—just 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. Let’s get together again in January.” We’ve got the rockin’ bands with classic rock and blues that will make fans feel truly alive. We’ve got the good tequila…have to, it’s in our name, and more. Always cold drinks,” said Rempel with a smile. “Let’s see if that’s 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 we’re sticking with it.” The Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosions Festival, now in its eighth year, returns January 22-25, 2026, with a rallying cry: “Let’s party with purpose—and prove that the Three Amigos still ride together.” Amiga is now added on the ride, of course. “If the leaders can’t 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. “We’ve 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 setlist—for animals, kids, and music that heals.” ????WHAT’S 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 Lives…Snowbirds Fly south with the Monarch Butterflies. They can…so can you and Baby PLEASE Let’s Go To Mexico”
● 3 AMIGOS EXPERIENCE: A cross-border celebration with themed performances, drinks, and matching merch—“One Nation Under Groove.”
● 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 group—bring 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 movement—a 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 “It’s sunshine and soulful fun, but you leave with a full heart, too,” said 2025 attendee Lupita Lopez from San Diego. “You come 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 isn’t a mega-corporate festival—it’s 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 good—and feels even better.” — Volunteer Team Member
● “We’ll see your political 3 Amigos summit—and 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 everyone’s 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
● More…For New Fans: How To Get Help, For Working Media: On Site Support
???? Media contact:
Bob Rempel
tequilabluesfest@gmail.com
+52-755-101-5989
https://tequilabluesrock.com/media
???? Where governments divide, music connects. Join the groove this January—and 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 vocalist…musicians will know about or see her amazing guitar talents…maybe 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
Media Contact
Tequila Rock 'n Blues Explosion Events & Fests-Always For A Cause tequilabluesfest@gmail.com +52 755 101 5989 https://tequilabluesrock.com
