Eli Blackshear of Colorado

Eli Blackshear in Manitou Springs through #DreamDeeply

Talent is teeming on the majestic mountains of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Singer/Songwriter Eli Blackshear is well known on the bustling streets of Manitou, where he can be seen performing on the busy sidewalks and local venues with fellow artists Gabriel Byers, Mallory Ferrero, Jaime Sawyer and Little Red Hawk. Born in the Springs to conservative parents, including successful African-American painter and sculptor Thomas Blackshear (self-coined Afro-Novu Artist of Ebony Visions), Eli was groomed to be a visual artist himself for most of his life. He’d already been playing Piano as a hobby for fifteen years, and around seventeen he finally woke up to his love of music, having a “different feeling” while performing on guitar and other instruments.

Eli doesn’t relate to Artists that “rap” about success, money and materialism like many mainstream musicians do. Instead, many of his lyrics are influenced by real, even painful experiences on topics like homelessness and heartbreak. His deep, soulful voice and folky flavor really shine through with songs like “The Devil is a Girl,” “Her Song,” and “Train Station.” His music drips with raw emotion and blues-tinged sensibility that resonates with earlier eras, when songs were played on vinyl records and music had true meaning. Eli himself doesn’t like using computers, and owns a record player instead. In fact, he revealed to me in one interview that his music will soon be heard on vinyl records in local stores around Manitou and radio station KILO FM, along with five other artists from the Springs. Eli seems to be a local celebrity around this charming mountain town, where people of all generations greeted him quite often during our long walks on the winding streets, and venues like Kinfolks where he performed with the group on stage.

Gabriel Byers is a life-long friend to Eli, having been raised by conservative parents as well, Gabe comes from a Japanese Mother and Caucasian Father. While Eli brings a Folky/Blues style to his Music, Gabriel comes with a darker, more metal background. Influences include rock legends Led Zeppelin and progressive metal band Tool. “Music stirs the waters of my soul” he stated in one interview at the Train Station in Manitou; a haven for local artists to hang out between shows and connect with friends. He channels his emotions through music, and expressed his intent for people to “feel” music deeply, in thought-provoking, cerebral ways. Eli recently introduced him to The Grateful Dead, and his life hasn't been the same since.

Eli Blackshear, Mallory Ferrero and Gabriel Byers

Mallory Ferrero and Jaime Sawyer moved to Colorado from Nashville, which has it’s own thriving music scene. She has been involved with music her entire life, performing on Guitar, Piano and most notably Vocals. "Living in Manitou is different" she says, where the community is like family and love abounds. She goes on to state that many people are coming from Nashville right now; a migration of musicians who are drawn to this sacred place. Her ultimate goal is to keep making music, no matter where she is or who she is with.

I had some very interesting talks with Little Red Hawk of Light-Links, who brings drumming to the group with djembe, ashiko, congas and beyond. We shared hours of deep conversation on topics about Spirituality, Psychic experiences, Zecharia Sitchen (Author of the best-selling Twelfth Planet) and Medical Cannabis, which boosted the economy and improved life for countless people in Colorado. He had much to share in fact, drawing from his wisdom as a Shamanic Healer and Light-worker as well. While I didn’t see him perform with the full band during my visit, Eli and Little Red Hawk collaborated together by a local stream at Soda Springs Park in Manitou.

Manitou Springs holds a special place in my heart for it’s thriving music scene, loving people, charming architecture and the numerous shops, cafes and venues one can find strolling through the long, winding streets. Kinfolks is one notable establishment that hosts many Musicians every week, including a Wednesday Open Mic and a really cool stage. Others include The Ancient Mariner, Marliyn's Pizza House, CK Comic's and Collectibles, Bear Cave Imports and Southwest Silver Company, one of the best Crystal Shops in town.

Naturally carbonated, mineral-rich spring water is freely offered to the public from the many statue-like fountains on major sidewalks. The Ute Tribe have been drinking this healing water for years, and now it draws people from around the world.

Mountains tower above Manitou, including Red Mountain where we discovered Wild Sage and a lovely view of the town below. Of interesting note I have been told there is a Quartz Crystal Bed under the whole area, which may explain vivid dreams and heightened states of consciousness. I now see why this place is unique and highly revered. People from all walks of life come here to heal.

Colorado Springs has it’s own Magick, especially at places like Garden of the Gods, where Native Peoples of multiple tribes (Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pawnee, Shoshone, Ute) have been coming for thousands of years, laying aside weapons and ideology to share space in this sacred place. Ancient red rock sediments populate the public park; jutting out from the earth in bizarre and mystifying ways. The Garden of the Gods is said to have the most striking contrast between plains and mountains in North America.

Eli Blackshear and Travis Ian Baker in Manitou Springs

Special Thanks to my good friend Travis Ian Baker, Manager of Eli Blackshear, and Musician himself. It was an honor to meet these talented Artists and experience the crisp, mountain air of Colorado. I got the sense that this unique mixture of diverse talent is destined for great things, offering our World something new and inspiring. Stay tuned for upcoming Shows, Events and Video/Audio Interviews with Eli and the group here on New Source.

Follow Eli Blackshear on Soundcloud, Facebook and Instagram!