ONE of the nation’s top six string wizards blazes a trail to the region tonight (Thursday, December 13).

Aynsley Lister is an incredible guitarist whose brand of blues-based rock delivers contemporary song writing fuelled with plenty of heart and soul. Whether passionately writing and recording his own material or mesmerising audiences at his live shows one thing is abundantly clear: music is hard-wired to his DNA and flows from his fingertips like sonic bolts of lightning. With more than 100,000 albums sold, lashings of critical acclaim and years of high profile touring, Aynsley’s resume speaks for itself and firmly secures his position as a leading light in the resurgence of British blues-infused music.

The UK’s own Joe Bonamassa, his natural ability is amazing and no doubt playing in a bar band from the age of 13 helped hone his skills. Aynsley taught himself to play with relentless dedication, spending hours copying his favourite records note for note. Peter Green, Albert King, Eric Clapton and Paul Kossoff weren’t just his heroes; they became his teachers.

By the age of 18 he’d started singing and had also formed his first group, during which time he landed a dream support slot with Buddy Guy and released two low key CDs featuring his earliest original material. In 1998 those self-penned titles caught the attention of Ruf Records owner Thomas Ruf, who immediately signed Aynsley and hooked him up with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s producer Jim Gaines. With a maturity that belied his years, the self titled debut announced Aynsley Lister as a major new talent and kicked off a successful relationship with Ruf Records, releasing seven albums and 2 DVD’s in ten years. In 2007 Aynsley was the only British artist to be named in Classic Rock magazine’s Top 10 Contemporary Blues Artists. In 2008 Aynsley signed to Manhaton Records, where he released the best two albums of his career to date. Aynsley is touring his latest album, Home, which is out on his own label, Straight Talkin’ Records, and plays Bootleggers at Kendal tonight. “Music is a release for me,” says Aynsley. “When I play I get lost in it and it’s a very happy place to be.”

Bootleggers 01539-723824 or contact@bootleggersbar.com.