The upcoming Benicia Waterfront Rocks Weekend will highlight performers from across the world of Rock from pop, rock and soul music. One artist, Carolyn Wonderland, is bringing her signature guitar sound all the way from Texas.

Since she was a young girl, Wonderland has been drawn to music. The daughter of a singer, Wonderland says there was always music in her household growing up and by the age of 9, she was learning to play the guitar.

Over the last 30 years, that love of music has taken Wonderland touring all over the country. When we spoke with Wonderland, she was headed out of Bismarck, N.D., prepping for three days of traveling out west.

So, when asked where she is currently based in the United States, Wonderland responded simply “the road almost all the time.”

Traveling on the road to promote the album can be taxing, but Wonderland says music is “the only thing that’s ever kept my interest.” To her, being a musician was less of a choice and more of a calling.

“It’s definitely something that’s deeper than a bunch of goofballs,” says Wonderland. “But I’m glad to be one of the goofballs who plays it.”

Before she started touring, Wonderland grew up in Texas. She says it’s hard to estimate how big of an impact her roots have had on her music. “Had I grown up somewhere else,

it might have been different? I don’t know,” she says.

But her sound, with powerful vocals and twangy guitar, has a southern blues feel.

Her most recent record, “Truth Is,” showcases her vocal range and lyricism. Although Wonderland’s music is listed as blues and alternative country on the Benicia Waterfront Rock Weekend poster, Wonderland hopes to create music that defies genre.

“Take someone like The Grateful Dead,” says Wonderland. “They could play blues, they could play country, they could play anything and it still sounds like them.”

“Truth Is” is Wonderland’s second album with Alligator Records and was produced by musician Dave Alvin.

In addition to Wonderland, Benicia Waterfront Rocks Weekend on July 26 and 27 will feature performances by soul singer Eric Lindell, Neil Diamond Hits band Super Diamond, blues-rock artist Ally Venable, rock artist Pablo Cruise and Lachy Doley performing clavinet blues.

In addition to the music, the event will feature a new Spa Pavilion and a Little Train on Sunday to take visitors throughout the festival. Sunday also features a Sailboat Regatta and a Lil’ Rocker Alley for kids, with a bounce house, bubbles and more.

The festival by Frazier Trager Presents is sponsored by Benicia Main Street. Learn more at ftpresents.com

If you go …

WHAT: Benicia Waterfront Rocks Weekend

WHEN: July 26 and 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

WHERE: Benicia Waterfront at First Street Garden, 90 1st St., Benicia.