For more information, be sure to check out The Official Carmen Grillo Web Site. There you'll find the complete songs for the clips featured here on MySpace. You'll also find a complete discography, news, online store, biography, information on Carmen's Big Surprise Music Studio, and a whole lot more.
This photo, as well as the current default profile photo, is courtesy of Bobby Gladd. A larger version is posted on the photos pages, along with other photos from the September 2007 Sons of Champlin gigs at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas. Other photos can be found there too.
Carmen also appears on the Sons of Champlin CD, "Hip Li'l Dreams".
Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Santa Cruz, California, guitarist Carmen Grillo started his musical journey by playing saxophone and drums at the early age of 5. When his father took a young Carmen to a Ventures concert, he decided then and there he wanted to be a guitar player. Carmen credits The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, George Benson, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin among his early influences.
In his teenage years, Carmen fronted several local Santa Cruz bands, including Feel Machine and White Eyes, and regularly played all the local venues. In pursuit of more creative endeavors, Carmen left Santa Cruz in the late 1970s and moved to Los Angeles. He soon became an in-demand session guitarist and vocalist. His credits in the studio include Bill Champlin (Chicago, Sons of Champlin), Rita Coolidge, Donna Summer, Tom Scott and Tim Weisberg to name a few.
From 1980 through 1986, Carmen toured the world and recorded with Rita Coolidge (Higher and Higher, We’re All Alone), whom he credits with inspiring him to perform at a consistent and professional level night after night, regardless of conditions. Also, during that same time period, Carmen toured with Bill Champlin promoting his solo albums, Bill Champlin Single and Runaway. In 1985, Carmen co-wrote One More Day with James Pankow of Chicago, which appeared on the platinum selling album Chicago XVIII.
Carmen then joined the legendary horn-based soul band Tower of Power in 1988, where he became a driving force within the group. His writing, singing and guitar playing made him easily recognized by music fans around the world. He performed and recorded with TOP for the better part of a decade before leaving in 1997 to pursue other musical interests.
Those interests included opening the doors to his recording studio, Big Surprise Music, where he is a music producer and the chief engineer. One of his first recording projects was his solo debut, Both Sides of the Coin, which showcased all of his talents, from the sensitivity of his lyrics to the fire in his guitar playing. His many recording projects include producing long-time Tower of Power bass player Rocco Prestia’s solo debut, Everybody on the Bus, in 1999, which reunited the original Tower of Power rhythm section. Carmen also recorded TOP’s original trumpeter and horn arranger Greg Adams’ most recent CDs Firefly and Cool to the Touch.
Carmen is currently a member of the Bay Area band the Sons of Champlin, who were an early influence in the San Francisco music scene of the 1960s and 70s. The Sons continue to have a strong and loyal following to this day, and maintain a high level of musicality.
Among his most rewarding experiences now are mentoring others and sharing his vast knowledge, experience, humor and wisdom with future generations of aspiring guitar players and recording engineers, as well as being the Musical Director of Arise Christian Center in Westchester, California. In addition, Carmen is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which presents the recording industry’s most prestigious award, the GRAMMY.
Carmen lives in Encino, California, with his wife, Denise, and their dog, Rocco.
MICHAEL CARUSO & THE DISCIPLES are honored to be among MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE'S TOP 100 UNSIGNED ARTISTS OF 2009, to be featured in their December issue available this Wednesday, November 25th at news stands.....MC
"I Got News For You" Bekka Bramlett's new CD release on Shongaloo Records, is available at CD Baby......NOW!!!! The CD features the HIT SINGLE, rockin' music row, "WHAT'S ON MY MIND" co-written by Tamara Champlin, Dennis Matkosky and Michael Caruso, currently climbing the charts. To purchase the CD visit http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BekkaBramlett CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!
Also CHECK OUT the DISCIPLES NEW TUNES on their site http://www.myspace.com/michaelsdisciples "For Tessa," "When the Devil Starts to Pray," and "Madelyn." All comments and thoughts appreciated!
By the way, if you are in CA the month of November please check out the Bill Champlin Band promoting his latest release on Dream Makers Music, "No Place Left to Fall," an awesome new album, featuring tunes co-written by Michael Caruso being the title track and "Tuggin' On Your Sleeve." For additional information on the CD and Tour visit http://www.billchamplin.net
In just two weeks, Bill Champlin will be touring the West Coast in support of his new CD / DVD, "No Place Left To Fall", currently available by clicking the widget on his sites. Joining Bill will be Tamara Champlin, on vocals, along with Jerry Lopez, Rochon Westmoreland, Eddie Garcia, and Jamie Hosmer, of Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns.
Tickets are on sale now
Friday, November 6 • San Juan Capistrano, CA - Coach House - 949-496-8930
Saturday, November 7 • San Diego, CA - Anthology - 619-595-0300
Sunday, November 8 • Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton South Bay - 310-406-1931
Tuesday, November 10 • Santa Cruz, CA - Moe's Alley - 831-479-1854
Wednesday, November 11 • Mill Valley, CA - Throckmorton Theatre - 415-383-9600
Thursday, November 12 • Tuolumne, CA - Black Oak Casino - 209-928-9322
Friday, November 13 • Lodi, CA - Hutchins Street Square - 209-333-6782
Saturday, November 14 • Santa Rosa, CA - Last Day Saloon - 707-545-5876
Sunday, November 15 • Newcastle, CA - Constable Jacks - 916-663-9385
Tuesday, November 17 • Dunsmuir, CA - Sengthong's Blue Sky Room - 530-235-1046
Thursday, November 19 • Portland, OR - Jimmy Maks - 503-295-6542
Friday, November 20 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262
Saturday, November 21 • Langley, WA - Mukilteo Coffee Roaster - 360-321-5262
Sunday, November 22 • Seattle, WA - Triple Door - 206-838-4333
Aloha! We are excited to announce that our 5 new Hawaiian cd releases are on the preliminary Grammy ballot! Please consider our Hawaiian albums: He Nani by Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho http://www.danielho.com/html/henani.html Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 by various artists: George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i, Bobby Ingano, Kawika Kahiapo and Jeff Peterson http://www.danielho.com/html/masters2.html Ho'ola I Ka Poli by Kawaikapuokalani Hewett http://www.danielho.com/html/hoola.html Aloha Pumehana by Darlene Ahuna http://www.danielho.com/html/alohapumehana.html Kani Wai by George Kahumokum, Jr. and Bob Brozman http://www.danielho.com/html/kaniwai.html LISTEN TO ALL HERE -- http://www.danielho.com/HawaiianMusic09.html
We've all been working very hard this year on making the best Hawaiian music with our favorite artists. And here they are! Five new Hawaiian music releases for 2009. All are now available through iTunes and www.DHCdesigns.com Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, He Nani Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Ho'ola I Ka Poli George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i and Bobby Ingano, Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 Darlene Ahuna, Aloha Pumehana George Kahumoku, Jr. and Bob Brozman Kani Wai Also if you're around come see us on Aug. 29 at One Colorado Shopping Mall 41 Hugus Alley Pasadena, CA 91103 Free performance in the courtyard Daniel Ho w/Nani Edgar (hula/vocals) Thanks! Daniel
Hello Carmen, Thanks so much for the Add–and your friendship. We enjoyed your music very much. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It's a pleasure having you among our friends! We've just added two new blogs about Umano, plus four more new compositions, making ten on our space. We hope you and your friends visit us and enjoy our music, too. We wake up every morning and play the music of the new MySpace friends who have arrived at our site during the night. It occurred to us that these friends (you are among them) are almost universally positive, whether they be novices or legends, and without regard to their station in life or the country they occupy. Although it's not an original thought, it also occurred to us that we couldn’t hold a verbal conversation with most of these friends, but we have bridged that gap by expressing our art honestly with each other. We all have been filling the world with our music and art, in the hope that our messages of love and human understanding will have an impact on the world at large. What a gift and what an opportunity we have received from this technology! Thom & Lorry Gambino New York, New York
I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that the new Bill Champlin album "No Place Left To Fall" will be released in the U.S. on August 4th, 2009. The songs and performances are really great, and it features an AWESOME band and special guests including Steve Lukather, Michael English, and Peter Cetera. To order the CD/DVD you can click on the banner on my page, or you can visit www.dreammakersmusic.com. For International friends and fans, the CD/DVD is available at www.amazon.com and other major online retailers. I am sure you will love it, and Bill will really appreciate your support!
Come have fun with us this Friday May 1st at 9PM at Club 6025 6025 Reseda Blvd Tarzana, CA 91356 We’ll be performing all your favorite Beatles’ songs starting at 9PM Great food, full bar, private booths & large dancing area!
Thanks for the add, greatly appreciated. It's an honor to be a part of your family of friends here. We too welcome you aboard the FRQZ train with hopes you enjoy the ride! Don't be a stranger, stay in touch, keep us posted to upcoming gigs and adventures, post a performance video, and so on. Stay TUNED !
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<br />Musically ~ FRQZ
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Online Now!
