Ready to rock: Emmy-winning 'Bands of Enchantment' returns for fourth season

Ready or not, here comes “Bands of Enchantment.”

The Emmy Award-winning series returns to Albuquerque for a fourth season, and New Mexico native Ken C. Peterson couldn’t be happier.

“When we started the show, we had hopes of what the series would be,” Peterson said. “There’s been a lot of hard work to get here, and we’re excited to continue to see the show’s growth.”

Ready to rock: Emmy-winning 'Bands of Enchantment' returns for fourth season

Peterson said the fourth season will again be held at the KiMo Theatre and filming will take place Sept. 12 through Sept. 15.

“This is the first time we’re returning to a venue,” he said. “We don’t have to recreate the set-up. It’s going to be nice.”

Peterson is the mastermind behind the series as creator and executive producer, which airs on PBS first and then is streaming on Prime Video and other streaming platforms.

“Bands of Enchantment” is a music series that merges international musicians with the New Mexico bands in over eight half-hour episodes that will air nationally in early 2024 and then be available for streaming by international audiences.

Peterson said each episode will be a postcard from Albuquerque to the rest of the world.

The first season of the series was recorded in Tucumcari and then moved to the Albuquerque Rail Yards for the second season with plenty of help from the city of Albuquerque.

The city got more involved for the third season and it found a home at the KiMo Theatre.

“The partnership between the Department of Arts and Culture and ‘Bands of Enchantment’ is an example of the power of collaboration, where our cultural heritage is brought to life through the lens of creativity,” said Shelle Sanchez, director of the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts and Culture.

Season four will feature the Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban Cimafunk; the Austin, Texas-based, Uncle Lucius; the four-time Latin Grammy winners from Columbia, Diamanté Electrico; Toronto-based disco and R&B outfit The Free Label; the Philadelphia showstopper Zinadelphia; and New Mexico’s very own Dust City Opera, Willajay, Kevin Herig and Jacob Shije Trio.

Peterson said in addition to the live recordings at the KiMo, the production takes the musicians to various locations around the city to perform acoustic sets.

Last season, the series spotlighted the Sandia Peak Tramway, as well as the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

“This season we have a more condensed schedule,” Peterson said.

Within the chaos which will ensue beginning in early September, Peterson said the series’ goal has always been to showcase music — especially local acts.

Peterson grew up in Las Cruces and always wanted to create a series that would highlight New Mexico — even putting New Mexicans to work.

“Proudly, ‘Bands of Enchantment’ production staff is predominantly made up of New Mexico residents,” said Vince Chavez, “Bands of Enchantment” executive producer. “This season, we’re able to continue to offer paid internships to high school, college and post-college students.”

Peterson is humbled when he thinks about how the show has taken off — thanks to PBS and other streaming platforms for carrying the show.

“It’s pretty wild,” he said. “In season one, all we wanted to do was get the show off the ground. We have a historic theater to house the show, and we’re getting people excited to come out and see live music and have a night of fun.”