(Los Angeles, CA) – Southern California-based Blues-Rock guitarist Andy Walo – “L.A.’s Hardest-Working Blues Musician” recently won “Best Male Vocalist of 2007” in the Rockwired Music Awards (www.rockwired.com) Poll. The ROCKWIRED Radio Program is heard on KTST-FM weekly over the American Radio Network.
Walo – who, along with his group, the Andy Walo Trio, plays on the average over twenty shows every month throughout the Southland and in Las Vegas at the House of Blues -- also emerged victorious from a field of over a dozen blues hopefuls in winning the Southern California Blues Society’s “International Blues Challenge” in a competition held last November at The Blue Café in Long Beach and recently competed in the 2008 International Blues Challenge Finals – “The World’s Largest Gathering of Blues Bands” that took place last January/February in Memphis, Tennessee.
Walo is currently recording tracks for a new CD to be released sometime this year.
Walo was recently nominated in multiple categories for the 2007 All Access Magazine Music Awards (“Best Male Guitarist,” “Best Blues Group/Artist”); and the 2007 South Bay Music Awards (“Best Blues Group/Artist,” “Best Live Performance,” “Songwriter Of The Year”). Walo has recorded a live CD at renowned Santa Monica, CA nightspot Harvelle’s, the follow-up to Walo’s critically-acclaimed CD, LIVE YOUR LIFE.
Three of the Swedish-born musician’s original songs – “Told You So,” “Flamenco Blues,” and “What Happened To My Power” – can be heard in the upcoming motion picture release, “TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE,” directed by D.B. Sweeney and starring Ed Harris along with John C. McGinley.
Word continues to spread about Walo. “We were so glad to get Andy Walo as our headliner for Vegas Rocks! Magazine’s Rockin’Blues Jam Night,” writes VEGAS ROCKS! Editor, Sally Steele. “He blew the crowd away, let me tell you… he’s so hot!”
Andy recently received a glowing live show review from industry trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION. “Walo’s show is catchy blues and rock originals enhanced with classic rock favorites, “writes reviewer Laura Phillips. “Walo does double-duty with smooth vocals, complimented by sensational guitar riffs and solos… Walo put on a charming Halloween performance to a sold-out venue, connecting instantly with the audience and remaining lively and connected for several sets… (he’s ) a popular musician with outstanding talent and an extremely entertaining stage show,” concludes reviewer Phillips. Walo was also featured in the DAILY BREEZE’s weekly “Band In A Box” as well as ROCKWIRED radio show and the NEW ARTIST SHOWCASE.
Walo grew up in Stockholm, Sweden and got his first guitar at age 11 and joined his first band at age 14. He subsequently established himself as a full-time musician, living and performing in Denmark and England through the early 90’s. “I saw Albert King on TV one time… and after that, it was all over!” recalls Walo. “Next it was Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush and Albert Collins… they all became great influences in my music.” In the Spring of 1993 Walo relocated to Chicago, where he quickly established himself in the legendary Chicago Blues scene. Andy started by sitting in with all the Windy City greats: Buddy Guy, Jimmy
Johnson, Big Time Sarah, Shirley Johnson and soul singer, Otis Clay. During his first U.S. Tour, Walo shared stages with Bo Diddley, J.J. Cale, Canned Heat, John Hammond Jr., Koko Taylor, The Ohio Players and classic rock heroes, Blue Oyster Cult. In 1994 Walo recorded his first solo CD in Chicago; the following year, Walo became lead guitarist for late, great Chicago Blues legend, Junior Wells –with whom he spent the next two years touring the world. Andy played on the last recording Wells made before he passed. That album – “Junior Wells Live At Buddy Guys Legends” – was nominated for a Grammy in 1997.
After five years as a prominent player in the Chicago Blues scene, Walo relocated to Los Angeles, where he co-fronted Mama’s Boys (winners of Southern California’s “Best Unsigned Blues Band” at the 1999 Doheny Blues Festival. He formed the Andy
Walo Group in 2001, showcasing his original songs in the Classic Rock vein of Free and Led Zeppelin, mixed with Classic Chicago Blues. “LIVE YOUR LIFE,” Walo’s second solo CD, was released in 2004 and was picked up for worldwide Internet distribution in all major online record stores by Philadelphia-based label, Canadian-American Records. Walo has earned a loyal following in Chicago and Southern California, as well as a worldwide reputation as (quote) “the best thing since Peter Green and early Jimmy Page.”
Walo performed at the famed yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2004, sharing the stage with notables Kid Rock and ZZ Top, among others. Andy is currently in-studio laying down tracks for an as-yet-unnamed CD, set for release early 2007 and continues to perform regularly at venues throughout Southern California and Nevada, including monthly shows at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.
ANDY WALO TRIO – UPCOMING LIVE SHOW DATES IN SOCAL AND LAS VEGAS
June 4 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 7 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 8 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 11 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 14 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 15 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 18 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
June 20 LOUIS FISH CAMP Las Vegas, NV
June 21 SAND DOLLAR BLUES Las Vegas, NV
June 24 TBA Las Vegas, NV
June 25 HOUSE OF BLUES Las Vegas, NV
June 26 HOUSE OF BLUES Las Vegas, NV
June 27 HOUSE OF BLUES Las Vegas, NV
June 28 HOUSE OF BLUES Las Vegas, NV
June 29 STARBOARD ATTITUDE Redondo Beach, CA
ANDY WALO REVIEW CDS, INTERVIEWS, AND SHOW PASSES AVAILABLE.
