It’s not often that I get to take my “family day” and mix it up with a little work. But when everyone heard that our Sunday morning bike ride would include getting to see the Joe Walla Band, everyone decided to come along.
The 13th Annual Thunder on the Lot ThunderontheLot.com, held each year in June, was at the AV Fairgrounds in Lancaster this year June 9th and 10th. Sponsored by Robertson’s Palmdale Honda, AV Harley Davidson, Robertson Palmdale Honda, Schooners, Clear Channel, High Desert Broadcasting, Pepsi/Aquafina, Anheuser-Busch Budweiser, Best Buy, AV Ford and many, many more…it got plenty of attention!
But the car show, bike show and featured attractions weren’t the only thing sizzling on the blacktop. This year two stages hosted top bands from the Los Angeles area and beyond. While one stage featured oldies and classic rock music all day, the other rocked near the car/bike show, which is where we found the Joe Walla Band – bright and bold, drenched with sweat, keeping that good ol’ American Rock-N-Roll alive!
It’s no secret that the Joe Walla Band is a favorite to All Access Magazine, one I keep a close eye on, and rightfully so. Have you had a chance to see this band lately? They have come a long way in a short time. The lineup still consists of singer-songwriter-guitarist Joe Walla, Rich Calande/bass and George Nowicki/drums. Yes indeed, a power trio, PERIOD! And nothing more is needed.
They performed everyone’s favs, like “She Showed Up,” “Twisted Mind,” and “I Want Your Body,” along with a couple of newer ones, “City of Angels” and “Breadline.” The Joe Walla Band knows how to entertain and keep it real. Rockin’ behind his head with the guitar, then down in front on his knees, Joe Walla has true showmanship and knows how to hold a crowd’s attention, even in 100+ degree temperatures.
At Thunder on the Lot the Joe Walla Band was tight and truly on a mission to showcase their music, plus gain a few new fans. Performing all over the stage, from side to side, got the attention of many people waking by who then stopped to check out the band. And off the stage they were busy selling their merchandise/swag and donating all the proceeds to the charities involved with the event. Their marketing included their latest CD release, “Reverend J. Wicked III,” which was available FREE if you signed up on the band’s mailing list.
After the show was over, I got to tag along with Joe Walla himself as he shook hands and passed out CDs. You gotta love this band and all of their hard work. Each and every show is just like that, “no rest for the wicked” as they say. The Joe Walla Band is a non-stop promotion machine…and that’s what it takes these days!
Oh, did I mention they were shooting a video too? Coming soon, another episode for “Walla’s World.” Check it out at www.JoeWalla.com.
