Chris Yakopcic is a fingerstyle acoustic blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter inspired by pre-war delta and Piedmont players. His guitar playing builds on the rhythmic and often high energy thumb-bass picking patterns innovated by Robert Johnson, Bill Broonzy, and Blind Blake to name just a few. In January 2015, Chris was a finalist in the 31st International Blues Challenge (top 8 of 100 competing solo/duo acts) in Memphis, TN. He has qualified for the IBC four times after winning various regional competitions.
Yakopcic performs regularly at bars and listening rooms mostly located throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania but has also travelled to perform at venues in Colorado, Maryland, and Tennessee. He has performed on the main stage at blues festivals in Dayton and Cincinnati. He also recently started teaching and holding workshops on acoustic blues guitar. In 2011 he recorded his debut album, Done Found My Freedom ‘fore My Technique, and released his sophomore album, The Next Place I Leave, in 2015.
Premiering exclusively on American Blues Scene is the video for “Gotta Get Goodbye Somehow,” a buoyant blues that fits the atmosphere of Hidden Gem Music Club in Dayton, Ohio. Yakopcic shares, “My third full length album, I’m excited for you to hear this project that presents these tracks through a solo live performance at one of my favorite local venues, expertly recorded and mixed by Gary King.”
Mixed by Gary King at Dayton Sound Studios, Dayton, OH
Mastered by Kevin Nix at L. Nix Mastering, Memphis, TN
Produced by Gary King and Chris Yakopcic
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
2022: Blues Society of Northeast Ohio Blues Challenge (Canton, OH): Winner
2018: BSWPA Jim Weber Memorial Award for the Best Guitarist of 2018 (Pittsburgh, PA): Winner
2018: Blues Society of Western PA Blues Challenge (Pittsburgh, PA): Winner
2018: International Blues Challenge (Memphis, TN): Semi-Finalist
2017: Blues Society of Northeast Ohio Blues Challenge (Canton, OH): Winner
2016: Telluride Blues and Brews Fest Competition (Telluride, CO): 2nd Place
2015: International Blues Challenge (Memphis, TN): Finalist
2015: Dayton Blues Society Blues Challenge (Dayton, OH): Winner
2015: Blues Society of Northeast Ohio Best Self-Produced CD Competition: Winner
2014: Cleveland Blues Society Blues Challenge (Cleveland, OH): Winner
2012: Cincy Blues Society Blues Challenge (Cincinnati, OH): Winner
2011: Blues Society of Western PA Blues Challenge (Pittsburgh, PA): Winner
