December 2007 saw the release of That’s What I’m Here For, the new CD from Kansas City guitarist Dan Bliss. Featuring 12 new original songs, this self produced CD follows his first release, Open For Business.

Bliss took second place in 2005 and third place in 2007 in the INTERNATIONAL FINGERSTYLE GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. He won first place in fingerstyle guitar at the 2005 Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships in Lawrence, KS.

Since releasing his first CD in 1999, Bliss has kept a busy performance schedule in Kansas City and around the Midwest. He appeared at the New York State Blues Festival in 1999 and 2001 and has opened shows for artists such as Steve James, Marcia Ball, Honeyboy Edwards, John McCutcheon, Kelley Hunt, The Waybacks, Mem Shannon, and St. Louis blues legends Henry Townsend and Johnnie Johnson.

Originally from upstate New York, Bliss has made his home for almost 20 years in Kansas City, inspired by the traditions of blues and jazz and the incredible wealth of local talent. In addition to working as a solo acoustic act, he has also played electric guitar with the Kelley Hunt Band and his own band Bluetonium. These days in addition to solo gigs, he also leads a trio and occasionally appears with K.C. jazz guitar great Rod Fleeman.