Al “Too Loud” MacLeod performs with The Wasteland Kings at the Union Grassroots Festival on Aug. 14, 2021. The La Grande group will perform at the kick-off party on March 10, 2023, during the Walla Walla Guitar Festival.

WALLA WALLA — While blues legend Elvin Bishop is the Large Show headliner for this year’s Walla Walla Guitar Festival, fans can see numerous musical acts with regional roots, including The Wasteland Kings.

The La Grande-based group will perform at the event’s kick-off party on March 10, 9 p.m. at VFW Post 992, 102 N. Colville St. They are returning for the event’s 12th year.

The festival runs March 10-12, with the Large Show and several other performances at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, 6 W. Rose St. Other festival venues are within walking distance in downtown Walla Walla.

Grammy Award nominee and BB King Entertainer of the Year Sugaray Rayford is the Friday night headliner, playing at 7 p.m.

Known for his top hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” Bishop will take the stage with his Big Fun Trio — Bob Welsh on piano and guitar and Willy Jordan on cajón and vocals — on March 11, 5:30 p.m. Their 2018 release, “Something Smells Funky ‘Round Here,” received a pair of Grammy nominations in the blues category.

Kris Mallory, The Wasteland Kings frontman, said they were invited to perform in the first festival by event founder Rob Barrett, who plays with Coyote Kings. Mallory said it’s often who you know that gets you on the stage.

“The Wasteland Kings are a perennial fan favorite of the Walla Walla Guitar Fest,” Barrett said. “They always bring the sauce.”

With such accolades, it’s no surprise that they return each year. In addition to performing, Mallory said the festival provides a chance to see other musicians and hang out in Walla Walla.

“We love this gig,” he said. “It gives us the opportunity to play for music fans, blues fans.”

Citing such influences as Muddy Waters, Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones and Townes Van Zandt, The Wasteland Kings have been offering up an Americana sound with a unique twist since 2008. Mallory said they “… formed in the ashes of the old band called “The Hellhounds, which was a blues band.” With an album coming out featuring a different vibe, he said they didn’t want to confuse fans.

Mallory’s bandmates include backing vocalist Holly Sorensen, guitarists Mike Mallory and Jerry Smith, drummer Mark Emerson and Al MacLeod on bass. They play about 60-80 performances each year.

“There isn’t six people that love making music more than we do,” Mallory said. “We are still doing what we love and there is still an audience of like-minded crazy folks willing to enable us, in a good way.”

Barrett describes the guitar festival as “… a trainload of blues, rock, roots, jazz, funk and rhythm and blues bands.” It closes out with the Sunday Gospel Brunch, 11 a.m. with music by Rae Gordon’s Gospel and food by The Marc Restaurant. And Jazz at the Fest begins at 1:30 p.m.

Ticket options include single events ($20-$55), Saturday ($80), two-day passes ($120) or a weekend pass ($150). Depending on capacity limitations, some tickets may be available at the door. For tickets and information, visit www.wallawallaguitarfestival.com.