Bob Villa - guitars & lead vocals; Penny Villa - background vocals
Influences
Creedence Clearwater Revival; The Doobie Brothers; Stevie Ray Vaughn; B.B. King; America; Santana; The Eagles; Merle Haggard; Charley Pride; George Strait; Petra; Resurrection Band; Chris Tomlin; Matt Redmon; Rita Springer; plus many more.
Sounds Like
All my influences; smooth jazz; solo guitar with vocals
A Native American and native Arizonan, Bob was born August 4, 1960, on the Gila River Pima reservation southeast of Phoenix. He grew up in and around Coolidge, Arizona, where he completed primary and secondary schooling, graduating from Coolidge High School in 1979. He attended American Indian College in Phoenix, pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry, and Grand Canyon University, also in Phoenix, studying Music Education and receiving formal voice training.
Bob has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old. His over 30 years of experience is evidenced by his eclectic styles and ease with the instrument. Bob has been involved in church music for many years and served as worship leader in various churches, as well as at conventions and convocations. He has made appearances on Christian television and done gospel and worship music recordings. In March of 2001, while on staff at American Indian College, he produced a live worship CD, writing much of the music himself and performing it along with the student praise bands.
In 2004, Bob and his wife, Penny, who sings background vocals, began performing at Phoenix-area venues. Since October of 2005, they have traveled the country as full-time performing musicians, playing among other places the Texas Hill Country (an area known for its music appreciation) and the Music Capital of the World, Nashville, TN. Listeners enjoy their smooth performances on cover tunes, but especially Bob’s original music, much of which is influenced by his Southwestern and Native American roots. Bob released 2 CD’s during the winter of 2004/2005 containing, with the exception of one song, all original music. He has made 4 appearances on Good Morning Arizona, a Phoenix morning news program. Bob won The Proof Is In The Pudding solo artist competition at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix in 2005. He went on to perform at Alice Cooper’s Christmas show held at the Dodge Theater along with Alice himself, STYX, Don Felder of the Eagles, and many other world-class musicians. During 2006 & 2007, the Villas enjoyed a 4-month run at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, NM. In 2008 Bob received a callback at the National audition level for the Nashville Star TV show. Though he was not ultimately chosen for the show, he wrote a funny, tongue-in-cheek song about his audition experiences and that single is currently enjoying airplay on over 30 radio stations in a dozen states.
Bob’s repertoire is eclectic and constantly growing and includes pop jazz standards like Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon and All Of Me and Nat King Cole’s Mona Lisa and When I Fall In Love. He convincingly covers Jim Croce tunes Don’t Mess Around With Jim, Time In A Bottle, etc., James Taylor hits like Fire and Rain and Handy Man, Elvis favorites such as Teddy Bear and Hound Dog, and a Beatles lineup that spans the early 60’s to the mid 70’s. Bob’s influences include modern jazz guitarists Charlie Smith and George Benson; rock legends Eric Clapton and Neil Young, and bands Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Doobie Brothers; blues artists Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King; and Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Mac Powell, and Petra in the Christian music arena. Bob loves country music, a love planted and fostered by his mother, and expresses that love by passionately covering classics by Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, etc., as well as more modern tunes by Kenny Chesney, Randy Travis, Blake Shelton, and others.
Hay Bob it was awesome to hear and see you last Sunday at the casino. only wish I could have heard more. anyhow remember the guy i was talking to you about who wants guitar lessons well he's asking again, I gave him your e-mail address don't know if he wrote you yet can't remember his name, but I hope he gets through. I had to work Swing Shift tonight and will work it agin tomarrow. I'm tired but it's okay more money for me. yeah right it's all going to the bills. well you have a great day tomarrow. love ya
Thanks for the add and supporting my music, Hope you will listen to my songs and let me know which one is your fave! Also I need you to please request me on www.locmradio.com Request your fave song today and everyday! Thanks so much You are AWESOME!!!!!!!
Back to the old grind, eh Pastor Bob? Welcome back! LOL! I might be getting a second, part time job but we'll see. Hopefully I will... yeah, it's gotten that bad for us on this side of the world. LOL!
Hey Bob, just stopping by to say "hi" to you and Penny, hope you are good, we are hanging in there, I'm ready for winter to be over, looks like you are headed our way? We'll come if we can, love you guys and looking forward to seeing you again.
Hsyyyy That's cool I'm happy for you, Me I'm enjoying my pramotion at my job I am now the Assistant Supervisor NOT acting anymore, NOW the SUPERVISOR,well assistant. and I'm enjoying every bit of it.
Hay Bob how are you? Me? busy at work trying to save money my car is in the shop so I don't really go anywhere anymore, I'm suppose to be off tonight and tomorrow but the supervisor is sick and they asked if I would work on my days off and they'll give me this Friday and Saturday off so I agreed to it would be nice to have a normal weekend off for once no plans though just stay at home and do nothing well clean house. well talk to you later have a good night.
Thanks for adding the new page. Its an Honor to be in your Friends list...Doc Killian-Veteran-Songwriter of TO OUR TROOPS, REMEMBER OUR VETERANS and MY FLAG
Bob i don't know what troubles you right now, but whatever it is it won't hold you back for long... You are a talent I sincerely admire... And ur talent belongs on a stage....
Bob, I feel for you. I was shopping one day, minding my own business, when I ran into the corner of a display case. I ended up with two torn ligaments, a torn tendon and bone chips in my right ankle.
Gigs were not near as fun because I had to sit down and my ankle acked and acked and acked. But, remember - this, too, shall pass. Hope it's nothing real serious.
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