Chris Duarte is a big proponent of practice. In fact, if it wasn’t for his practicing of various musical styles, he might not be where he’s at today, or tomorrow. And that’s at The Love Shack in Des Moines tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Duarte found out Wednesday morning that he had won “Best New Talent” in Guitar Player magazine. “I feel like picking up my axe and practicing,” Duarte said after the news. “I have a responsibility to uphold now.”

The accolades haven’t come easy for Duarte, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue his career. “I knew at 16 that music was going to be my profession,” Duarte said.

So he moved to Austin, from his native San Antonio, to hone his skill. A skill that has been compared to the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughn, a comparison that doesn’t botherDuarte. “I don’t have a problem being compared to a legend, ” Duarte said.

He started in cover bands and got pigeon-holed in Austin as a jazz guitarist. But Duarte doesn’t see it that way. “I’m a musician first and guitar player second,” Duarte said.

Touring in support of his most recent CD, Texas Sugar/Strat Magik, released on Silvertone Records, Duarte and company are feeling right at home on the road. Hell, they have to, they’ve been there for almost three years solid. “We didn’t do the logical thing, we toured without a product, or even merchandise,” Duarte said.

Well, now that he’s got the product, the critical acclaim, and a tour, Duarte is looking to the skies. “I’ve been on a world domination kick for awhile,” Duarte said. “Actually since I was 16.”

To see the “Chris Duarte World Domination Tour” check out Saturday’s show with Big Sugar hitting the stage at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the show. Stone Fish and Grooveyard will follow Duarte.