Good Press & Articles about LLB

[senoRita]

Great review! Thanks for posting, Bela.

:cool:

[lovemusic]

LOS LONELY BOYSBy Bill Brotherton
Friday, April 22, 2011 - Updated 1 day ago
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/reviews/view.bg?articleid=1332427&srvc=rss

“Rockpango” (Playing in Traffic/LonelyTone): B+
Back in 2003, this band of Texas brothers was on top of the world with a Grammy, sold-out tours and a song (“Heaven”) at the top of the charts. Follow-ups failed to generate the same excitement, but all that may change with this fiery return to form. High-octane guitar and B3-organ-powered bluesy, Tex-Mex treats “16 Monkeys,” “Believe” and the title track will jump-start many a party. Great playing and singing even redeem the trite cliches of “Love in my Veins” and “Porn Star.” The Garza boys are back with their best album yet. Download: “Change the World."

[senoRita]

Have to agree with this review. The CD is great!:D

[senoRita]

Vices, Virtues & Rockpango: Conversations With Panic! at the Disco's Spencer Smith and Los Lonely Boys' Henry Garza

Posted: 04/25/11 01:07 AM ET
A Conversation with The Los Lonely Boys' Henry Garza

Mike Ragogna: Hello, Henry.
Henry Garza: Yeah, what's going on, brother?
MR: Same stuff. How are you, sir?
HG: We're doing good. I'm on the bus right now, and we're rolling to the next gig.
MR: Has it been fun, your being on the road?
HG: Oh yeah, it's always a blast, man. It's rough, last night we got caught up in a freak snowstorm up in Southeastern Kansas, and we were kind of stuck at a truck stop there.
MR: Not a lot of snow in Texas, huh.
HG: No, not that much, sometimes there is, though.
MR: I bring up Texas just to remind those few people out there that don't know that you're based out of there.
HG: That's right, we're three brothers from San Angelo, Texas. We've been playing music all of our lives, we're still doing it, thank the good Lord above, and we're going to keep doing it. With the new record Rockpango out, we're hoping that a lot of people listen to it. This record has a lot of music in there for different colors, different ages--it's just for the human spirit, you know? We were ready to put a new record out there, and it just came out, so we're out promoting it, and doing the Spring and Summer tour, man.
MR: Very cool. To me, this is the rockiest, bluesiest...well, no, blues isn't really the right word, but...
HG: ...oh, don't worry about it man, we've got all of it in there. We tried to put all of it in there.
MR: My favorite song on this album is "Love In My Veins."
HG: Right on, man. That song was just born during the making of the studio record. We were just in there messing around, jamming, and we recorded it, and it made the album.
MR: It feels like a jam from The House of Eric Clapton in some ways.
HG: Yeah, man, all of that, brother. Those are all our teachers, man, from Stevie Ray to Clapton to Hendrix--you can name as many as you can, man.
MR: Henry, before we dive right into the album, let's give a little background on you guys for our readers. There's a Nashville story to Los Lonely Boys' career, right?
HG: Yeah, that's right. Our dad grew up really inspired by Willie, Waylon, and those cats. He always loved Nashville--Music City, USA--he actually went there before we were even born. Then, when we were born and started playing music with our dad, he said, "Hey, let's move to Nashville." So, we tried to be the first Mexican-American family country band (laughs). It was a big learning experience for us, as musicians, and as a family, but Nashville ain't nice to nobody--the music business ain't nice to nobody, and it doesn't care. We just didn't give up. We kept playing music, went back home to Texas, and it was born there. We went to Austin, and the music of Los Lonely Boys was heard, thanks to Willie. He kind of took us under his wing--he's kind of like Yoda--he knows the force, and it's strong with Willie.
MR: (laughs) Now, Yoda Nelson was instrumental in getting your first album recorded.
HG: Yeah, we recorded it in his studio in Austin, Texas, and we just became good buddies, man. It's a blessing just to say we know the guy. When we were first starting, we were one of his favorite bands for a while, so that's pretty cool, you know?
MR: Like you were saying before, you guys have such a wonderful hybrid of all these styles, and his music also has been over the years. Everybody tries to classify him as country, but he's not pure country.
HG: No, he ain't, man. Willie's out there. He plays music for what it is, and what it really stands for, and that's just music itself.
MR: Yeah, it's pure feel as opposed to pure country.
HG: Exactly. You can see that even to this day when you see and hear him play. Even if it's the same song you're used to hearing, it's never played the same way twice. That's the beauty of music, and I think, real musicians. We're trying to make sure that continues on, you know.
MR: I want to ask you about the first track on Rockpango, "American Idle." I know the Garzas were being wiseguys with the spelling of that title.
HG: Actually, my brothers Jojo and Ringo and I came to the decision together. It's just a song that has to do with social awareness. We're not really political dudes or anything like that, man. We just write what we feel and what we see going on in our own personal lives as well as what we see and feel going on in the world today as we travel around. You turn on the radio and you hear things, see things. We're all human, and this song is just talking about sitting on idle, not being able to make a change, and putting love on a shelf because that's what we always seem to do. We think that's just really important, to make sure that love comes first. We write our songs to speak to whoever, whenever, and whatever. How people listen to a song can speak to anyone in their own way, however they can relate to the song. We just write what comes straight from our hearts. "American Idle," or even a song like "Porn Star" or "16 Monkeys" is just to show another side of us to the fans. There is a fun, crazy side to Los Lonely Boys, and there's even a deluxe version of our album with an outtakes track that is like twenty minutes of us goofing around, being brothers, and having fun doing what we do. You have to do that with whatever it is that you love, whether you're a lawyer or a plumber or whatever.
MR: Let's talk about the title track, "Rockpango." Where'd you get that awesome title?
HG: "Rockpango," first off, the word is kind of something we made up. It kind of comes from the word "huapango," which is a traditional Mexican rhythm, and then there is the word, "fandango," which means, like, celebration. We kind of took it from the beat, huapango, and turned it into "Rockpango" because the song on the record is an actual huapango beat. So, we just kind of electrified it, Texican style. That's what that song is about, man. It's just a fun song, and like I said, the lyrics can mean whatever you want them to mean.
MR: But there's more of a story to this song, isn't there?
HG: Yeah, man. It's kind of talking about having a free spirit. It's talking about somebody going through life and figuring out that life isn't always fair and not being mad about it, so to speak. What I really enjoyed about this one is just being able to rock and throw down on this song. It's very fun to play, and we got to play it on The Tonight Show, which was fun, and a lot of people got to see that. It's just a really fun song to play, man.
MR: How was playing The Tonight Show this time out?
HG: Well, of course, we've done it a couple of times already, but to be back with this new record just felt all brand new again. We were up there with that guy, Russell Brand, the English guy. We got up there, and everybody kind of knows us already on the production crew, so they made us feel right at home, man. They were really happy that we got to rock out too because normally, we have to play some other songs, but they specifically asked for "Rockpango," so we were happy about that.
MR: It's definitely a cool song, and a great album title.
HG: Well, we think all of them are cool, man, it's just a cool name.

[senoRita]

MR: Do you have a story about Jay (Leno)?
HG: Well, every time he sees us, he's always asking about our dad. He's always saying (imitating Jay Leno), "Say 'hi' to your dad for me."
MR: (laughs) Nice impression. I'm looking at your track list for this new album, and I've got to know about "16 Monkeys." Why is it 16, not 14?
HG: (laughs) Actually, it was really just a crazy moment, where we came up with this crazy song and decided to record it. We were in the studio messing around, and it's actually on the outtakes from the deluxe edition, but we were playing around with it, and our manager was in there like, "Hey, you guys have to record that!" So, we just had fun recording it, and we collaborated with a friend of ours who we call "The Word Man," and that was just one of the songs that we had fun on.
MR: Now, you also have this song called "Porn Star." And it's called "Porn Star."
HG: (laughs) Well, it's really just talking about love. It really mentions that only once in the song, but the story is there. It's your basic, average, American dude, who's growing up, and experiencing human sexuality--we go through that, growing up, you know?
MR: We do?
HG: (laughs) Well, I hope so, brother! It's just a song where we had a fun tune and then the story came about. It's no different from watching a movie on TV--you see some pretty weird stuff on there. It's just us having fun, and it really puts into perspective if somebody really is like that and they really love somebody? It's got one of those beats that goes with it, and we have a friend rapping on it, so it's actually got a little hip-hop flavor in there. Like I said, when we create music, we don't create a specific kind. We create what comes out of us and we try to have fun with it, and this is just another part of that.
MR: And that's the story of, um, "Porn Star."
HG: (laughs) Why do you feel weird saying that? That's just weird.
MR: (laughs) I'm just playing.
HG: It's in our faces every day, where you don't even want to see it.
MR: I know. It's like when you go on the internet and Google something innocent, there's your porn site listed in a scroll with Wiki and Merriam Webster.
HG: You can be on the computer and something pops up...
MR: ...so to speak...
HG: ...and didn't even want it to. It's like, "What is that?" I just think if you guide it in the right way, with parenting and talking, it can be a very controlled thing, as it is when people make decisions on everything out there, man.
MR: (laughs) Can you talk about "Smile"? It's my favorite on the album.
HG: Sure man. This song, "Smile," is actually my personal favorite. We all go through tragic experiences, and I went through one very tragic time, when my son died from SIDS when I was eighteen years old. As soon as Jojo showed me this track--because he kind of put this together--I just could not stop shedding tears because I started listening to the words, and really realizing how powerful a smile is, you know? The song just captures that for me, and if you've lost someone that you love and you miss them, you can just remember their smile, and it does a lot for you. Even if you're mad at them, just try to remember that smile, and you might feel a little different. This song is that for me, man, and that's why I like it.
MR: So, let's take a little trip down memory lane. You guys are Grammy-nominated, and have actually won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals back in '05.
HG: Yeah, that's right.
MR: Also, you performed the song "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love" with Carlos Santana, on his All That I Am album.
HG: Yeah, that was cool, getting to collaborate with him. All of the stuff we've done, the places we've gotten to play, and the people we've gotten to meet and play music with has been a tremendous blessing from above, man.
MR: I know that you guys have been traveling a lot and recording. Do you have any specific causes or something you're focused on, besides music, that has your attention?
HG: Oh, well number one is our families, man. Our children and our wives are number one for us. That's really where every other (bit of) time or piece of mind goes, you know? As far as Los Lonely Boys as a group, we always play for charities, benefits, and things to help communities all across America. That's just something that we feel we're supposed to do because with this talent, we've got to give back to the world and help as much as we can. When you're put in a position where a lot of people see and hear you, you've got to try to inspire them for good, you know? We do all those kinds of things, but like I said, being daddy is the most important thing for me, and I'm sure my brothers. Any fathers out there know that you just want to raise your children to be loving and caring people.
MR: Beautiful. You were also on Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur, and you guys did a sweet version of "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" on that project.
HG: Thanks brother, I appreciate that.
MR: And there are other causes you've helped with. Los Lonely Boys definitely does its part.
HG: That's cool, we do so many, it's hard. We just did a benefit for a cancer foundation in L.A. to try to help them raise money to donate to children and their families who are going through cancer treatment, and just going through the whole sickness itself. We're always wanting to help, man, that's just who we are. That's how momma and daddy brought us up, and in our hearts, that's the way we feel. Every time we write a new album or write a song and are able to share it, that's just a tremendous gift and a blessing. We're just trying to be the best of who we are, and not trying to change what we've been our whole lives--and that's three brothers that love to play music and spread love and joy. We're just trying to be hard working dudes that put food on the table and pay for the light bill (laughs).
MR: What advice might you have for new artists?
HG: My advice for any new artist out there is to never give up, never stop believing, and don't let anybody ever change who you are in your heart. If you write a song about "Spam and Eggs," write it, and don't let anybody tell you it's stupid because if it comes out of you, then it's never stupid.
MR: Very nice. You know, you're going to get "cards and letters" for that one.
HG: (laughs) That's just what we believe, man. Our dad always taught us to just give us what we got, you know?
MR: No, actually, not cards and letters...emails and texts.
HG: There are still cards and letters out there. We don't ask for nothing, though, we're just thankful to be able to give the music back, and still be able to breath. Right now, we're on our way to New Mexico, and we don't know if we're going to make it. Right now it's going to be by the skin of our teeth.
MR: Well thank you for talking to me today. Thank you for your honesty, your time, and your heartfelt stories. It was really great.
HG: Right on, we're just being who we are, brother. When we get up to your neck of the woods, get ready for some Texican rock 'n' roll.
MR: (laughs) We're ready, bring it.
Tracks:
1. American Idle
2. Fly Away
3. Love In My Veins
4. Road To Nowhere
5. 16 Monkeys
6. Rockpango
7. Smile
8. Baby Girl
9. Change The World
10. Porn Star
11. Believe
12. Judgment Day
13. Smile 2
14. Outtakes
15. Free Spirit (video)
16. Coke In Chicago (video)
17. Boxing (video)
18. Warm Up (video)

Transcribed by Ryan Gaffney

[senoRita]

Here's a funny story from Henry

http://worstgig.com/stories-artist/g-through-m/los-lonely-boys

[lovemusic]

That's quite a story. Thanks for sharing, Rita. It is always great to hear more about their early years.

[lovemusic]

Lonely Boys' bassist JoJo: A God-given voice
By Eric Woods/Special to the Caller-Times
Corpus Christi Caller Times
Posted May 13, 2011 at 12:33 p.m.

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/may/13/a-god-given-voice/

CORPUS CHRISTI — Life's a party and you've got to dance, no matter what life throws your way.

Nobody knows that better than Los Lonely Boys' lead singer JoJo Garza.

The band's soon-to-be released album, "Rockpango," a Spanglish word meaning rock party, was delayed until March 29 due to some health issues involving the one piece of equipment Garza couldn't be without; that is if he wanted to continue his career in music.

Things for the band began to get dicey when a throat specialist in Denver found lesions on Garza's vocal cords. Needless to say, JoJo and his brothers in the band, Henry and Ringo, were worried.

"I thought I was just going to be a bass player from then on," said Garza. "You know, it was too bad because I enjoy singing, too, man, and it would have been really hard to accept. I couldn't even talk much less sing, and it was hard to even cry or shed tears, and at the time, I felt like I had to. You know, I couldn't even imagine standing on the stage with my brothers and not being able to sing."

"The whole family was feeling it, man, and everybody was really concerned and really focused on praying things wouldn't stay that way, but the Lord prevailed and it was like Him saying, 'Hey, I'm gonna just scare you a little bit,' or something like that."

And if that was the plan, then it certainly worked.

Garza, whose voice still has a bit of a rasp, went into surgery to fix the problem and then headed back to San Angelo for some much-needed downtime. The band had to cancel 15 shows, but it's what had to be done to bring Garza back to the show.

And Garza didn't just stop there. He also started taking his health into consideration, and after several years of smoking, Garza decided to quit and to also start eating right.

And even though he wants to kick the habit, Garza has found out doing so is a lot easier said than done.

"It's tough being a human, man, but that's what we are."

Garza, who isn't shy about his religious beliefs, gives God the credit for not only saving his voice, but for everything the band has accomplished musically, including a Grammy for its 2004 hit single, "Heaven," which climbed to the No. 1 slot on the adult contemporary charts and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single not only crossed over to the country chart, but also made its way into the virtual realm, as it was featured in "Guitar Hero: On Tour."

More recently, the boys were named Best Rock Band in 2010 at the annual Austin Music Awards proving the Los Lonely Boys are still packed with a lot of staying power.

"We're just regular people, man, and the Lord has blessed us with the ability to reach a lot of people's ears and hearts," said Garza. "We definitely take that to heart. The most important thing to us is to do what the Lord has asked us and, that's to spread the message and the love."

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys Warming Up To New Label

http://www.courant.com/entertainment/hc-danton-sound-los-lonely-boys-0609-20110609,0,2425807.column

Eric R. Danton

SOUNDCHECK: Music News & Views

June 9, 2011
Making music has always been a family thing for Los Lonely Boys, but the Garza brothers have taken it to another level on "Rockpango," their latest.

http://www.courant.com/media/photo/2011-06/62218146.jpg

Not only did Henry, JoJo and Ringo produce "Rockpango," it's the first full-length album they've put out themselves on their own imprint, Lonely Tone Records. After three albums for Epic, it just seemed like the right time, JoJo Garza says.

"The last record or two we did with them, nothing really happened, you know? It wasn't that we wanted to get away from them, but we had done our deal with them," Garza says by phone from Texas, before starting a tour that stops in Norfolk Tuesday and Wednesday. "It's got to do with us being able to focus more on our music than on how quick to get a record out."

That new focus paid off on a collection of songs that explore different sounds and styles.

"There's rock on the record; there's ballads; there's funk," Garza says. "There's things on there that are pop, things that could be played on rock 'n' roll radio, country radio, Top 40 radio. To me, the unfortunate thing is that it's such a versatile record, some people are afraid to touch it."

It's the album that comes closest to capturing Los Lonely Boys' live sound, Garza says.

"We walked in, and it was like walking up on a stage and knowing that we had to go kick the stage's butt," the bassist and singer says. "I'm really happy with the record. Ever since we finished, I've been telling people how proud I am."

Completing the album comes as a relief, too: Los Lonely Boys delayed the album, and canceled a handful of tour dates last fall, when Garza needed surgery to remove a growth on his vocal cords. The experience changed his approach to singing.

"It's been a whole new thing," he says. "We've always practiced our singing and how to get better at it, but we never really were concerned with, 'Oh, we've got to warm up.' Now I can't wake up an hour before the show and be ready to sing. Now I have to be up at least three hours before the show for my vocal cords to be warm."

LOS LONELY BOYS perform Tuesday, June 14, and Wednesday, June 15, at Infinity Music Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road (Route 44), Norfolk. Tickets for the 8 p.m. shows are $95 and $65. Information: http://www.infinityhall.com or 860-542-5531.

[senoRita]

Yes, JoJo you guys have a lot to be proud of with Rockpango! It's a great album and I love every song and the outtakes are great too. :D

[MelBAustria]

Great interview!
Rockpango to me is pure LLB - various and very soulful (as in soul of the boys).

Mel
:cool:

[jwintx]

Los Lonely Boys, 7:30 p.m. June 20, Musikfest Cafe...

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/06/los_lonely_boys_deliver_powerh.html

[senoRita]

Los Lonely Boys, 7:30 p.m. June 20, Musikfest Cafe...

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/06/los_lonely_boys_deliver_powerh.html

What a great review! Makes me so excited to see the band again soon!
:D:D:D

[lovemusic]

Live Rock: Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos at the Greek Theatre
July 31, 2011
https://irom.wordpress.com/tag/los-lonely-boys/

By Mike Finkelstein

On Friday night a not quite sold out, but certainly revved up, Greek Theater audience was treated to a most appealing double bill of high profile American Latino rock bands. Beginning their impressive career well over three decades ago, Los Lobos first blazed the trail that Los Lonely Boys now walk. Now, Los Lonely Boys are a hot young act that headlines above Los Lobos. But the two bands are friendly and the members mixed and sat in freely during each others’ sets all evening long. The night’s music was a celebration of blues, Norteno music, rock ‘n roll, and Tejano music, to name but a few of the influences that converge somewhere near the borders of California and Texas with Mexico.


Los Lonely Boys
Los Lonely Boys are brothers Henry Garza on guitar, Jojo Garza on bass, and Ringo Garza on drums, out of San Angelo, Texas, and they call their music Texican rock ‘n roll. While they have an appealingly huge, warm, and busy sound, they also manage to give each other a lot of room to flap their instrumental wings at any moment. They aren’t locked into a rigid set of arrangements, but what they play is ultra tight, and they do love to jam. On Friday, these jams percolated and would burst into snips of songs like “Sunshine of Your Love.” As LLB tap an idea around between them – much like kicking a musical hackeysack — these fellows sound as though they have been playing music with each other all their lives. Moreover, when Henry and Jojo sang together it was often in unison. Their voices are different enough to contrast but similar enough to blend as one.

Los Lonely Boys’ songs are based mostly on blues progressions fleshed out with a lot of smooth syncopation. Each song had a lot of room for experimentation. Every idea was laid down, elaborated upon enough to advance the song and then gave way to the next one. The lyrics were mostly about desire as in “Oye Mamacita,” and “Road to Nowhere” or lifting the spirit and making the world a better place, as in as in their huge hit, “Heaven.” Then again, “16 Monkeys” was quite whimsical and playful. It will be intriguing to see where a group this talented will take their songwriting in the future.

No power trio will fly without a charismatic leader who plays hot lead guitar and sings. Henry Garza is cut from this rock star cloth. He is tall with long hair, long arms, long legs, and a very engaging vibe to him onstage. Most importantly he has the sound – the big, sizzling Texas Stratocaster sound made popular by Stevie Ray Vaughan and several others after him. His style on guitar brimmed with showmanship and motion, but he stayed within himself and allowed his sound, rather than an excess of notes, to get the point across. We first got a glimpse of him during Los Lobos set when he walked on and guested on three songs, tearing it up with the Wolves on “Hey Joe,” and “La Bamba/Good Lovin’.”

The power trio is a tried and true lineup in rock which demands that each player cover a lot of musical ground to keep the sound interesting. What actually put LLB over the top instrumentally was Jojo’s bass performance. He plays a six string bass, which gives him chordal possibilities not available on 4- or 5- string basses. In its higher ranges, a six string bass moves into the realm of a baritone guitar, which meant that Jojo could meet his brother Henry in the same tonal registers and then peel off elegantly up or back down to the bass registers. Since a 6 string bass has an extra high and low string Jojo’s lines were riveting, as he skillfully constructed his runs to include the high highs and the low lows. It gave them a modern sound and proved that a six string bass can work beautifully in a rock band.


Los Lobos
Los Lobos opened the show, hitting the stage as the sun went down, and powered through favorites like “La Bamba,” “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes,” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” Their 90-minute performance also included two runs through “Cumbias,” a high-energy style of Latin dance music. Over the years (30+) the Wolves have built up a very impressive catalogue of songs in both English and Spanish. On Friday no less than four of their tunes were sung in Spanish. “Yo Canto” was a standout and the title cut of their new album Tin Can Trust was mesmerizing. The band has always featured its members changing instruments. While we are used to seeing David Hidalgo switch from guitar to accordion routinely, he actually sat in on drums with the Lonely Boys on “Heaven.” At times the sound system at the Greek didn’t really seem to achieve the separation between the two guitars and Steve Berlin’s baritone sax that it has before. Still, it wasn’t the sort of inconvenience that could stop a band like Los Lobos from making its musical points.

As the show progressed it became clear that this was a double billing of bands who play great music and live to play. The stage was at times a revolving door for members of both bands and their delight in the moment was infectiously obvious. It made for a very special night of music, indeed.

To see more reviews by Mike Finkelstein click HERE.

[velvetsky0222]

Great review of the Greek Show. Love the descriptives of Henry and JoJo although I think Ringo should have gotten a mention for driving force and his spot on harmonies. :cool:

Interesting that David H was the only Lobo mentioned.

[sandra d g]

makes me wish I had been at that show.

[senoRita]

That's why we love them~ :D


http://www.flickr.com/photos/childrensla/5989096354/in/set-72157627186868975/

[senoRita]

When Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys shared the zoo stage in 2008, there was plenty of cross-pollination between the bands. Although a generation apart, both groups share common roots but favor different styles. Los Lobos lean on more traditional Mexican sounds as well as American garage rock while Los Lonely Boys loves classic rock. That's evident on Los Lonely's new album "Rockpango," which nods to Hendrix, Santana, War and Clapton. The brothers Garza also offer "Smile," a creditable play for a pop radio ballad a la 2004's Grammy-winning "Heaven."

I love "Smile" and hope that it does get some radio play but I haven't heard it on the radio yet.:(

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/126785623.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

[lovemusic]

‘How ya doin’, brother?’
Los Lonely Boys are just fine with bringing their music to N.S.
By STEPHEN COOKE Entertainment Reporter
Sat, Aug 13 - 4:55 AM
http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1258135.html

Los Lonely Boys are sharing the mainstage at the Dutch Mason Blues Festival in Bible Hill today with Garrett Mason, James Cotton and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

Calling from a tour stop in Michigan, Los Lonely Boys bassist Jojo Garza sounds like one of the happiest musicians on earth, offering up a hearty, "How ya doin’, brother?" and responding to each question with the kind of enthusiasm most artists reserve for TV talk show appearances.

It’s understandable though. The three Garza brothers — Jojo, Henry and Ringo — were on the last day of a string of dates with their mentors, Los Angelenos rockers Los Lobos.

Today they bring that positive musical attitude north of the border for their appearance at the Dutch Mason Blues Festival at the Provincial Exhibition Grounds in Bible Hill. They’re sharing the mainstage with Garrett Mason, James Cotton and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

"It’s been a great time, probably one of the greatest bills since we started touring together," says the Texas musician about touring with his heroes.

"We’ve been really gelling together, playing on each other’s sets and jumpin’ in. It’s been a blast."

Currently playing around 200 dates each year, Los Lonely Boys are eager to bring their San Angelo stew of rock, blues, country and Tejano sounds to a new audience in Nova Scotia, with the festive approach of its latest album Rockpango (pronounced rock-PAWN-go) designed to stir up a big outdoor crowd.

The title is derived from a bit of "Spanglish," adapting the name of a Latino dance style called "wapango," which is in turn a mutation of the word "fandango."

"Fandango means a party or a carnival, just a flat-out good time," says Garza, who laughs when reminded that it’s also the title of an early album by hirsute Texas rockers ZZ Top.

"There you go. I’m sure those guys know what it means.

"It’s a rock party, it’s about being with friends having a good time and you’re not listening to one band over and over, you’re listening to a bunch of different music. On this record, even though it’s the same band, it’s a bunch of different styles of music and it’s designed to provide you with a good time."

You can hear a pinch of ZZ Top in the growling guitar of Believe and jangly Mexican folk spicing up the country twang on Fly Away. Rockpango’s title track sounds like a long-lost Stevie Ray Vaughan outtake, and Love in My Veins rides a Stevie Wonder-style clavichord straight to a sun-baked funky town.

"Over the years, we’ve learned from people like Los Lobos and Willie Nelson, although it really starts with our dad and playing with him, and everything just grows from there," says Garza, who first hit the charts with his brothers on the power ballad Heaven in 2004.

"We have this opportunity to be really free with our music but don’t get me wrong, we’re not getting off track, but it’s our own track.

"I mean, look, if you’re able to plant all kinds of plants and trees, why would you plant just one? If you’ve got the green thumb, you’re gonna plant whatever you can to make it grow.

"That’s how it is with our songs, we’ve been blessed with the ability to do that and incorporate different sounds and angles of music into what we call Texican rock and roll, man."

Besides the fun times found in Rockpango tunes like 16 Monkeys and Porn Star, the Garzas also take time to address the state of their nation on American Idle and Change the World, injecting a social conscience into their music at a time when the pop charts are more about escaping reality.

"A lot of the mainstream music today has nothing to do with making things better for each other. It has more to do with one person’s pocket, y’know what I’m saying?" says Garza, whose previous release was the EP 1969, dedicated to a tumultuous time when rock and roll couldn’t help but be influenced by current events.

"Or it’s about presenting a certain sort of lifestyle. I’m not saying that music doesn’t have its place but to Los Lonely Boys music is about more than that. It’s a gift that’s been given to us all and the roots go so deep that we don’t want to be part of rock and roll being forgotten, we want to be part of it being remembered."

After tonight’s show, the Dutch Mason Blues Festival wraps up on Sunday afternoon with performances by Barry Mack, Buck Tingley, Theresa Malenfant, Matt Minglewood, Sonny Landreth and the Maple Blues Revue.

[lovemusic]

Another success
Published on August 14, 2011
Harry Sullivan Dutch Mason fesitval down in numbers, up in spirit
http://www.trurodaily.com/News/Local/2011-08-14/article-2706718/Another-success/1

After another successful three-day blues extravaganza, founder and co-producer David DeWolfe was all smiles as the seventh annual Dutch Mason Blues Festival wrapped up Sunday.

"The feedback thus far is that everybody has enjoyed every act that they've seen," DeWolfe said.

Attendance figures were not immediately available but even despite the fact that DeWolfe was anticipating an overall drop from previous years, he was nonetheless pumped over the way the event went off.

"I think because of the tourists this year and all that weather...," he suggested, regarding the drop in numbers. "But we still had a good crowd and we're happy with it."

DeWolfe's happiness stemmed in large part because of the way fans reacted to the music, which in turn sent away world-class artists reeling with pleasure over the way they had been received.

"This is one of the best lineups that we've had in a while," he said of the fan response. "All quality acts. Even though some of the people didn't know some of the acts but they certainly love them now. You know, like Joanne Shaw Taylor. And Lukas Nelson was incredibly amazing. Los Lonely Boys were incredible and Robert Randolph. It was a really exciting moment when Robert Randolph had all these girls from the audience get up and dance all over the stage," he said.

"All the comments thus far are that they love it here," DeWolfe said, of the artists' response. "They love it here. They love the people. They think that this is an awesome festival event. And that's not me saying that, that's them saying that. They all would like to come back. But they especially picked out the fact that we have a world-class event here and that makes us feel so great. To hear people like Los Lonely Boys, who play all over the world; Gary Clark Jr., Robert Randolph, they all say the same thing, that this is a really great event. Well organized, best stage crew they've ever seen, hospitality bar none, friendliest people. And they usually don't get all that everywhere they go. So we're happy to showcase what us in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia, how hospitable we are. And they say people here love music and it must be in us somehow. As a matter of fact, Jojo from Los Lonely Boys said 'we feed off of, our energy comes from the audience and we can't wait to hit this stage because this audience, we can feel it already before we even get up there.'"

And that makes everything worth it, he said, of the stress, the energy of planning and executing the concert, the sleepness nights and skipped meals.

"When somebody like that says that to you, that really makes it all worthwhile....

"So it's really great that they're getting to see that, hey man, we are a musical society here. And we love our music and we're passionate and we respond.

"They travel all over the world and one of the comments were, hey I can play in Germany and I can play here and there, people don't clap as much. Whereas, we will yell and scream and applaud, and stand up and dance. That's what they live for.... And that makes me feel good. It feels like we're doing something that Dutch would be proud of."

hsullivan@trurodaily.com

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys add new tour dates supporting 4th studio album "Rockpango," continue
September 10, 2011

http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/134785-los-lonely-boys-add-tour-dates-supporting.html

Texas trio Los Lonely Boys are known for their 2005 Grammy win, relentless touring and fiery fretwork. With over 3.1 million albums sold, Los Longely Boys continue to prove themselves one of the most stunning and wonderful musical success stories of the last decade on their newest offering, their fourth studio album and their first self-produced LP on their own LonelyTone/Playing In Traffic Records, Rockpango.
The pop princes let their stoner flag fly on Rockpangosingle, "16 Monkeys," a funky psychedelic fur ball destined for counter culture gold. Supporting this newest release, Los Lonely Boys continue to announce new tour dates to share the utterly unique combination of blues, rock, soul, their Latino heritage and snippets of hip-hop found on Rockpango.

Since debuting in 2003 with a multi-chart gold single, racking up reams of critical praise, opening for the Rolling Stones and playing and recording with such legends as Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, Rockpango further enforces All Music Guide's assertion that Los Lonely Boys are "one of America's premier rock bands."

Tour Dates and more on Rockpango below!
Los Lonely Boys 2011 Tour Dates
Sept 9 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Sept 10 - Library Theatre - Hoover, AL acoustic - 2 shows
Sept 11 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA
Sept 13 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Sept 14 - The Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN
Sept 15 - Live on the Green - Nashville, TN WRLT event
Sept 16 - The Arts Center - Carrboro, NC
Sept 17 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC
Sept 18 - Ziggy's - Winston Salem, NC
Sept 20 - House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
Sept 24 - Foster Communication Center - San Angelo, TX
Oct 8 - Gruene Hall - New Braunfels, TX
Oct 9 - Reliant Stadium Halftime Show - Houston, TX
Oct 12 - Austin City Limits Live - Austin, TX
Oct 15 - MusicArte de Fort Worth - Fort Worth, TX
Nov 9 - Vinyl Music Hall - Pensacola, FL
Nov 11 - House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, FL
Nov 12 - Culture Room - Ft Lauderdale, FL
Nov 13 - Orlando Calling - Orlando, FL

The band has released 7 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 2 live concert DVDs, including Texican Style Live, an account of the largest ever South-by-Southwest audience of 25,000. The band continues to pervade pop culture in national ads for Budweiser, a track on Guitar Hero, guest spots on Carlos Santana's All That I Am, and countless TV performances on Leno, Kimmel, Letterman and Conan. Recently, Billboard notched their hit Heaven at #4 on their "Top 50 Adult Contemporary Songs Ever."



More on Los Lonely Boys and Rockpango
Can anything even more magical happen in the already charmed career of Los Lonely Boys? You bet. It’s called Rockpango, their first self- produced long player on their own LonelyTone/Playing In Traffic Records. And yeah, it’s magical indeed.

At least as magical — and maybe more so — as debuting in 2003 with a multi-chart gold single, selling millions of albums, winning a Grammy, racking up reams of critical acclaim, opening for The Rolling Stones, and many more accomplishments for the Texican rock’n’roll trio of brothers. Plus playing and recording with such legends as Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, associations that give a strong hint at what’s at work here on Rockpango.

After proving themselves one of the most stunning and wonderful musical success stories of the last decade, Los Lonely Boys are now carving out their legend with their fourth studio album. Even though the band has already shown they can “up the ante with greater musicianship and confidence” (People) every time out, on Rockpango they heighten the trajectory, open up their sound, and show what flourishing maturity feels like from these veteran yet still young and burgeoning musical talents.

Rockpango is a spirit and sound coined by Los Lonely Boys that takes the next step from fandango (a beat of loving celebration) and then huapango (another infectious Latin rhythm that gets the fiesta cooking) to a full-scale Tex-Mex American roots rock party galore. Bursting out of the gate with the simmering and slinky “American Idle” that scans today’s tough economic times, and wrapping up 10 tracks later with the fierce and fiery assertion that love is the answer on “Believe,” Los Lonely Boys look at the big picture around us with the concerns and continuing faith that come with well-grounded adulthood.

Their ever-expanding musical vision fills the set with new facets that further reveal the group’s already notable artistic diversity. “16 Monkeys” is a delightfully funky slice of infectious neo-bohemian wit and wordplay, while orchestration by the Tosca String Quartet adds classic rock-pop sophistication on the achingly beautiful “Road To Nowhere” and the Beatle-esque gem “Smile.” And they fuse deep blues with a hip-hop twist on “Porn Star,” which includes a razor-sharp rap at the tail end by Kush, one of their Texas extended family relations.

They soar on “Fly Away,” rip it up to percolating Latin beats on “Love In My Veins” and “Baby Girl,” and reassert their mastery of the classic music that influences them as demonstrated on their recent 1969 EP. They deliver ‘60s style blues-rockers on the rousing title tune and powerfully loping “Change The World” — two more slices of their spot-on social commentary and consciousness.

The trademark Los Lonely Boys genetic vocal blend is deeper, richer, more fluent and confident than ever. The rhythms are utterly irresistible as well as flush with smart syncopation and muscular drive, abetted on some tracks by tour percussionist Carmelo “Melo” Torres. The brothers’ songwriting skills stamp indelibility on every winning number. And Henry Garza goes even beyond what Guitar World hails as being a “guitarist with chops out his ass who doesn't care about chops [and] just opens up and plays.” Joined by veteran Austin player Riley Osbourn on keyboards, Los Lonely Boys deliver and more on Rockpango.

“I’m super proud of it,” says JoJo Garza, bassist and middle brother in the triumvirate. “It’s just progress, maturation and growth. Growing up, being older, seeing the world we’re living in. It’s also touching base with home.”

Los Lonely Boys tale to date is already the stuff legends are made of: Playing behind their father as kids in cantinas and honky-tonks. Moving to Nashville in their teens to try to win a record deal. Returning to their native Texas, where the brothers made their bones on the club scene as a live act. Releasing their self-titled debut, which goes double platinum, and penning a #1 radio hit in “Heaven.”

Two more stellar studio albums followed: Sacred (2006) and Forgiven (2008). In 2009, they cut 1969, an EP that leaps back four decades to reveal how the group’s roots extend well past their birthdates on songs by The Beatles, Santana, The Doors, Buddy Holly and Tony Joe White. 2010 brought about the release of Keep On Giving: Acoustic Live! a snapshot of their recent acoustic tour.

So after all that, what’s left but to meet the new decade with the great leap forward, upward, outward and onward of Rockpango? “It was just time to grow and change,” explains JoJo. “But not change too much. It’s kind of like a tree. A tree doesn’t actually change much as it grows. It gets taller, grows more branches, gets thicker and stronger.

“I think it’s one of our best if not our best,” he adds. “We took the ball and I think we scored a touchdown.”

And after eight years of championship seasons, Rockpango paves the way for Los Lonely Boys to enter the rock’n’roll pantheon of legendary musical artists while also remaining true to themselves. “We’re still Lonely Boys,” JoJo insists, chuckling in agreement that they are also now Los Lonely Men who have truly come of age on their latest. “We’re still family, we’re still three brothers, we’re still doing what the good Lord has blessed us with, and that’s singing and playing for people who really want to listen.”

[lovemusic]

Search Los Lonely Boys an eclectic blend
JOHN WIRT
Music writer
http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/793004-100/los-lonely-boys-an-eclectic.html

After being raised in a musical Mexican-American household in San Angelo, Texas, and schooled in the business of music by their professional-musician dad, sibling trio Los Lonely Boys won a Grammy award for their easy-rolling hit, “Heaven.”

Five albums followed the band’s 2003 self-titled debut, the latest of which is Rockpango. Rock, pop, blues, funk, soul and the band’s Tex-Mex music heritage all flavor Rockpango.

“We’re tying everything in,” Lonely Boy JoJo Garza said from San Angelo. “It’s a rock party. That’s why we call it Rockpango.”

The album’s title track is a prime example of Los Lonely Boys’ music synthesis. For many listeners, “Rockpango” recalls the blues-rock of Jimi Hendrix and Texas star Stevie Ray Vaughan.

“People are like, ￔMan, that sounds like something Hendrix would have done,’ “ Garza said. “But that song actually is a traditional wapango. All we did was put Texican rock ‘n’ roll over a wapango beat.”

Garza and his brothers - Henry, a guitarist, and Ringo, a drummer - grew up singing and playing. Both sides of their family have been musical for generations. Their father, Ringo Garza Sr., was a member of a band of brothers, too, the Falcones, a popular conjunto group in the 1970s and ‘80s.

“At home it wasn’t a special deal to sing,” JoJo Garza recalled. “We didn’t realize that kids weren’t singing everywhere. But we had no choice about learning to play and sing. Whether we were gonna use it or not was another story.”

When the Garza brothers’ dad moved to Nashville in 1990 to pursue a solo career, he took his three sons along. They were his band.

“We looked like the Mexican Beverly Hillbillies in our station wagon,” Garza said of the move. “It was completely piled up with musical equipment and what little clothes and things we took with us.

“And it literally seemed like we were the one-percent demographic in Nashville at that time. There was nobody there like us. Our dad showed us how to deal with it, not with our fists but with our music. That taught us that music can break down boundaries.”

The Garzas performed constantly during their Nashville stay.

“Every day we played some kind of little bar,” Garza recalled. “That was a real big learning curve. And we learned about the Grand Ole Opry and the history of country music. It was a big thing for our dad and it rubbed off on us, too. We’re really into the country cats, Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr., Ronnie Milsap and, of course, Willie and Waylon and the boys.”

Ringo Garza’s talented sons, however, were in for a surprise.

“Our dad,” JoJo Garza said, “he looked at us and said, ￔYou guys are playing different. You guys are starting to pass me up.’ And it was sad because, if you’re the right kind of student, you don’t look to surpass your teacher. We said, ￔWhat do you mean?’ Our dad just goes, ￔMan, you’re just getting so fast. Y’all are learning so many chords that I don’t know, meho.’ “

The brothers launched their own group, Los Lonely Boys, in 2000. By 2004 they’d released the multi-format hit “Heaven,” sold lots of records and won a Grammy. Even so, they didn’t let success go to their heads.

“You never stop learning and you never stop growing and you’re never too good to get a spanking from your mama,” Garza said. “You gotta stay rooted, you gotta live in reality. But, definitely, people, no matter what field of expertise they’re in, man, if they’re doing something good for people, people should express gratitude and say, ￔMan, we thank you for having that kind of heart.’

“And one thing we always thank our dad for, the biggest thing he taught us, was that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you look like. You gotta do your best. Don’t let nothing knock you down. You gotta keep going.”

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys never short of friends, fans and family
By Wayne Bledsoe
Knoxville.com
Posted September 8, 2011 at 12:51 p.m.
http://www.knoxville.com/news/2011/sep/08/los-lonely-boys-never-short-of-friends-fans-and/

http://media.knoxville.com/media/img/photos/2011/09/08/420110908082207003_t588.JPG
Los Lonely Boys, from left, brothers Ringo, Jojo and Henry Garz began performing professionally when they were in elementary school.

Jojo Garza knows that people have a good time when Los Lonely Boys play, but he's never sure exactly what it is that grabs the crowd.

"We're always talking about that," says Garza. "It would be so cool to be able to step outside of what we do and see what people are enjoying so much. We can write the songs and perform them, but we can't see what they do for people's souls. For us, it's the opposite. It's what people do for our souls when we play these songs."

Being in the audience at a Los Lonely Boys show, it's easy to latch on to the group's energy and positive vibes. The trio is one of those acts that is so much better in concert than on recordings that marginal fans of the group's albums can become major fans after a show.

Garza says it's far better to wow fans at concerts.

"A lot of bands, you like them on the record, but you don't like them live. Auto-Tune can make you sound like you can sing in the studio. Don't get me wrong. I think it's got its place. It is music. But how many people honestly say (about a group), 'Man, when I saw that band live and they were better!'"

As much as the group has tried to capture that on live recordings and DVDs, nothing has quite captured the band's on stage magic.

"When we're in a show, we're all there together," says Garza. "The whole crowd is with us when we're about to blast off into space!"

Brothers Jojo, Henry and Ringo Garza, have been playing music together since they were in grade school in San Angelo, Texas.

"I've been playing since I was 6-years-old," says Jojo. "I was probably 9 when we were actually playing as a band."

The trio backed up their father, Ringo Garza Sr., who had performed with his own brothers in the conjunto group the Falcones. The family moved several times before settling in Nashville in 1990. In 1996, the brothers went out on their own and moved back to San Angelo.

Jojo says he never questioned that music would be his future.

"As far back as elementary school, I remember knowing that music is what we did," he says. "I didn't know how it was going to pay bills or nothing like that. Our dad had shown us that if you play on stage you could get girls to like you and girls would go crazy and stuff. But the whole deal about it is it's a business and it's a pretty tough business to be in."

The group had already recorded two albums when country star Willie Nelson heard a demo recording by the trio and invited them to perform at Farm Aid. Afterward, he offered to let them record at his Pedernales recording studio in Austin. The recordings resulted in the group's self-titled album, which was picked up by Epic Records. The song "Heaven" from the disc went to No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005.

"When we won the Grammy we only knew so much about it," says Garza. "It was after we won the Grammy that we got some real respect for it. We didn't realize what it symbolizes. If you go back and watch us on the video (accepting the award), we were like, 'We don't really know what to say.' There's so much now we wish we could've said then."

In 2009, Los Lonely Boys began releasing albums on their own label, Playing In Traffic Records. The group's newest disc is "Rockpango."

While the music business today is not quite as lucrative as it once was and the group's profile has lessened since the band's breakthrough, Garza isn't worried. The band members are more in control of their band's future than ever.

"We're just trying to live in this world and do what we can. When people appreciate what we do it only makes us feel better. Don't get me wrong we could go start a plumbing company or a construction company and do well with it. But God blessed us with the talent to spread music and spread message within music and we need to use that to the best of our advantage ...

"We just want to cherish every moment we have here left on this earth. If it includes more Grammys or not, we're just going to take each day with an open heart and an open mind."

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys stay on the sunny side at Library Theatre in Hoover
Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 8:20 PM Updated: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 8:20 PM
By Mary Colurso -- The Birmingham News The Birmingham News

Review rating: Four out of five stars.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- In a way, it was like being back at City Stages ‘04, Unplugged edition.

The members of Los Lonely Boys were in a relaxed and genial mood, playing with understated firepower.

The crowd was small in size but robust in enthusiasm. Two concerts were on the band’s agenda: an afternoon gig and an evening show.

The early set, driven by acoustic guitar, bass and drums, amply displayed the group’s musicianship.

This time, however, Los Lonely Boys were playing indoors at the Hoover Public Library, instead of making their debut at an outdoor plaza in Birmingham.

Their double bill on Saturday, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., kicked off The Library Theatre’s 20th anniversary season.

During the 4 p.m. show, Los Lonely Boys gave listeners ample reason to celebrate. As expected, the Garza brothers — guitarist Henry, bassist JoJo and drummer Ringo — were in full command of their instruments, tossing off solos with ease and delivering tuneful roots-rock with Tex-Mex influences.

In the past, electric performances by the band have seemed more intensely driven, relying on electric guitars and feverish interplay among the musicians. The atmosphere here was loose and laid-back, as if the Garzas were playing for enjoyment in a friend’s living room.

They goofed around with the audience. They took a handful of shouted requests. They interrupted each other, talked over each other and teased each other, as family members are wont to do.

http://media.al.com/mcolurso/photo/9988259-small.jpg
The Los Lonely Boys logo was flying on a banner at The Library Theatre in Hoover.
Sound glitches marred a song or two, but these were quickly resolved, leaving the Garzas free to focus on the music and establish a joyful vibe.

The band definitely upheld its reputation as a power trio, creating a big sound with just three instruments and filling the 250-seat venue with song. Throughout the performance, Henry and JoJo Garza traded off on lead vocals, while brother Ringo provided solid support on harmonies.

The 75-minute set list featured tunes from the group’s latest album, "Rockpango," such as "16 Monkeys," "Fly Away" and "Road to Nowhere." It also included fan favorites such as "Heart Won’t Tell a Lie," "Hollywood," "Oye Mamacita" and "Crazy Dream."

Near the end of the show, Los Lonely Boys presented their best-known single, "Heaven," which earned a gold record in 2004. That got several folks in the crowd on their feet and dancing, primed for the single encore.

Audiences at The Library Theatre tend to be sedate, but Los Lonely Boys prompted screams, cheers and a relatively vigorous sing-along. Henry Garza also tossed a few guitar picks into the crowd — standard procedure in arenas, a refreshing switch here.

[velvetsky0222]

Oct 16, 2011 (Sun)
All day
IndyCar World Championship
Notes:
Los Lonely Boys to Perform During IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
IZOD INDYCAR
Source — INDYCAR/ak
Date Posted — October 04, 2011
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LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Grammy® Award-winning artists Los Lonely Boys will perform during pre-race festivities for the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 16.

"This is definitely a treat for us." — JoJo Garza
The concert by the "Texican" rock 'n' roll trio is slated for 11:15 a.m. (PT) following the Firestone Indy Lights season finale and just before the final race of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series. The IZOD IndyCar Series championship will be decided in the final race for the sixth consecutive season.

Los Lonely Boys, a trio of brothers from San Angelo, Texas whose debut single "Heaven" won a Grammy award in 2005, will entertain INDYCAR fans with their special style of rock mixing Chicano, blues, roots and Latin all rolled into one.

They've worked with artists such as Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana and recently released their first self-produced album "Rockpango."

"This is definitely a treat for us," said JoJo Garza from Los Lonely Boys. "Being asked to open the first-ever INDYCAR World Championships in Vegas is hot. We're going to rock out with the fans and then watch the most anticipated open wheel battle of the year."

The INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda takes place Sunday, Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and encompasses the season finales for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. Additionally, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon will race to claim $5 million in the Go Daddy INDYCAR Challenge. If Wheldon, who will start from the rear of the more than 30 car field, takes the checkered flag, he will split the $5 million prize with the winning sweepstakes entrant.

Tickets can be purchased for the races at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-INDYCAR. Fans purchasing a ticket to any IZOD IndyCar Series race during the 2011 season are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket to the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda. Tickets can be redeemed in the INDYCAR Fan Village in the Mandalay Bay parking lot during race week. Tickets are free for children 12 years of age and under with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.

[lovemusic]

San Angelo's Los Lonely Boys are back with a punched-up sound

http://media.dfw.com/smedia/2011/10/13/12/38/vJ2LF.St.117.jpg

Brothers Ringo Garza, Jojo Garza and Henry Garza, from left, make up Los Lonely Boys.

www.musicartefw.com
By Cary Darling

dfw.com

Posted 12:49pm on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011

It has been a hectic few years for Los Lonely Boys, the San Angelo trio of brothers who seemingly came out of nowhere in 2004 with the infectious Texas blues-pop of the hit single Heaven.

The song was a multiformat hit -- landing on Top 40, country and adult-contemporary charts -- and won the 2005 Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The Boys' self-titled major-label debut album would go on to sell 2 million copies. Already friends with Willie Nelson -- that breakthrough album was recorded at his Austin studio -- the band would collaborate with Carlos Santana on the track I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love for his 2005 All That I Am release.

From a public perspective, things seem to have been quieter lately. But it has just been a different kind of turmoil.

In 2009, the group -- featuring guitarist Henry Garza, 33, bassist Jojo Garza, 31, and drummer Ringo Garza, 30 -- parted company with a major label, Sony/Epic, and started its own imprint, Lonely Tone, which is distributed through Austin indie Playing In Traffic Records. Then Jojo suffered an injury to his vocal cords, delaying the recording and release of a new album.

Three years after Forgiven, their last studio recording of new material, Rockpango finally hit the racks this year, and the band has been hitting the road, including Saturday's gig as part of Fort Worth's annual celebration of Hispanic culture, MúsicArte de Fort Worth.

All the activity comes as something of a relief to Jojo Garza, who, when he had to undergo surgery for his vocal cords, wasn't sure what the future held. "It was a scary situation, to be really quite honest," he says by phone from San Angelo. "It shook the family and people outside the family. People were sending prayers through the mail and Internet saying how worried they were. It was bigger than I would have ever imagined.

"There were times when I was sitting at home listening to the new tracks wondering if I would ever sing on them. What if I never did get to sing on them? But it worked out and I'm here now."

New approach

While leaving Sony offered the Boys a fresh start in terms of business, they realized that it also offered the opportunity to slightly retool their music, which has always been a blend of rock, Tejano, blues and country. They wanted Rockpango (a made-up word that means "rock party" but also sounds like "huapango," a musical style of northern Mexico) to better reflect their sweatier, heavier live sound. "We want our music to sound punchy, crisp and clean. We want people to feel it in your chest," Jojo says. "That's what we try to do all the time, but it didn't always come across in the records that we've recorded."

Coming on the heels of a three-year layoff (though in 2008 they released Christmas Spirit and in 2009 they contributed to the 1969 tribute disc), it might have been expected that the Boys would've been nervous about slightly changing things up and wondering if their audience was still there. "Nervous is not the word," Jojo says. "I definitely wanted people to like it. We've always had the mindset that 'If you don't like it, sorry. That's cool. Somebody else will.'"

Nashville roots

The brothers got their start in 1990 providing musical backup for their father, Ringo Garza Sr., who had been part of the conjunto group the Falcones, when he moved from Texas to Nashville with the dream of a solo career.

There were some tough times in Tennessee, but Jojo says there was one thing the experience taught him: "It was a bunch of work in dives and cantinas and [I learned that] nothing's given to you and nothing's for free," he says.

And that was where the brothers were inspired to ultimately return to Texas and start their own band -- and, in the wake of Heaven, that's when they got a taste of stardom.

"It took awhile for that kind of pressure to build, but it did," Jojo says. "It was, 'Ah, man, we're tired.' Doing the same thing over and over again, we were like horses running around a track. We needed to chill out for a while.

"But the success is something we'd never give back for anything in the world. It's something we're very thankful for. We got all the way to the Grammys. Maybe someday, it will happen again."

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys
Keep on Giving: Acoustic Live
Lonelytone Records
By John Heidt

http://www.vintageguitar.com/8896/los-lonely-boys/

It’s easy to take for granted bands like Los Lonely Boys. The trio of brothers is adept at many kinds of music. Early in their career, guitarist Henry Garza proved that, like so many who came down the pike the past 30 years, he had learned much from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan. But with each subsequent album, his style expanded, and now he has an identity, even playing acoustic, as he does on this record.

“Senorita” is a plain-ol’ Tex-Mex stomper with zinging double stops from Henry before he drifts into flamenco. He gets downright funky on “Oye Mamacita,” while his pop and soul sensibilities are on display on “Hollywood” which also gives brothers Jojo (bass) and Ringo (drums) a chance to show off their considerable vocal abilities.

There are great covers here, including a bluesy-funk read of the Beatles’ “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” and a straight cover of “Evil Ways.”

With the live recording you also get a dose of the showmanship. It’s good listen, though, and makes it hard to ignore Henry Garza in any discussion of top guitarists of his generation.

[lovemusic]

How Far is It?

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Pete
http://cheesemetal.com/?p=6571

For the last few weeks we here at WMMCM have been trying to improve ourselves by focusing on what is usually one of the brighter aspects of rock music with our Heavenly Cheese series.

While we travel along looking to the west, there’s this feeling that comes over us as we can hear a songbird singing in a tree somewhere by a brook. So, after some misgivings we began to start thinking about smoke through the trees until we’re suddenly brought back to reason by a piper.

Then all of a sudden the darn forest starts laughing at us so we decide to clean up our act and change the road we’re on before our head explodes from all the humming. (Must be that **** piper again.) And now the darn fool want’s us to join him. Ain’t gonna happen. Not in this storm – and anyway the tune is coming to me at last so it’s time to rock – and maybe – roll.

So now that we’ve made it up the stairs all by ourselves, we’re feeling a bit lonely. That road we’re on led us all the way to San Angelo, Texas in our search for Heavenly Cheese. There’s a few others here that were trying to get away and none of us realized just how far it was…


Los Lonely E-Mail Link!

Los Lonely Boys and their debut single, “Heaven” are a bit out of our normal range of music that we rant about here at WMMCM but, their still rock n’ roll and hey, they’re from Texas so that’s gotta be worth something.

“Heaven” was their first single as well as their first – and so far – only number one hit. (Interestingly, their self titled debut album, Los Lonely Boys, didn’t reach the number one position but the follow up album, Sacred, did although it only produced a minor hit with the song, “Diamonds.”) But, the Lonely Boys were really on to something here.

“Save me from this prison
Lord help me get away
Cause only you can save me now
From this misery
I’ve been lost in my own place
And I’m gettin’ weary
How far is heaven
And I know that I need to change
My ways of livin’
How far is heaven,
Lord can you tell me.”

Los Lonely Boys are three brothers from the West Central Texas town of San Angelo. Henry, Jojo and Ringo. They formed the band in the mid-nineteen nineties and were able to record and release two full albums on their own before being picked up by Epic Records. After working the Nashville circuit and returning to Texas, Los Lonely Boys had really developed their own sound combining Chicano, Blues, Tex-Mex and some straight up rock n’ roll and all that time playing clubs and bars had given them the bit of polish they needed to get that break out hit.

Henry Garza sings the lead on “Heaven” while Jojo and Ringo jump right in on the backing vocals. And it’s one of those times when you have three really good singers, (and musicians,) that just simply melt together when they sing. (Being brothers certainly helps. There’s always something special when a group of brothers – or sisters – sing together. A blend of voices that’s nearly impossible to match.)

“I know there’s a better place
Than this place I’m livin’,
How far is heaven
And I just got to have some faith
And just keep on givin’,
How far is heaven
Yeah, Lord can you tell me,
How far is heaven
I just gotta know how far is,
How far is heaven,
Yeah, Lord can you tell me,
How far is heaven,
I just gotta know how far,
I just wanna know how far.”

When you listen to a song like Los Lonely Boys’ “Heaven,” it’s so easy to be drawn into the moment. “Heaven” has a great upbeat and fun sound to it even while talking about a rather serious subject. The verse is one huge hook, it creeps up on you and pulls you in.

That seduction starts right from the first note of Henry’s guitar at the introduction to “Heaven” and doesn’t let up – ever. It’s so laid back and unassuming that you slip right into the song and Los Lonely Boys have you in their control.

The guys are incredibly tight as a band as well with the standard power trio combination of guitar, bass and drums, and they truly know their craft as players and singers.

Los Lonely Boys’ “Heaven” is definitely Heavenly Cheese.

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys' House of Blues Rock Party
Norman Byrd, Myrtle Beach Events Examiner
November 12, 2011 -
http://www.examiner.com/events-in-columbia/los-lonely-boys-house-of-blues-rock-party

The Texas trio, Los Lonely Boys, play what they like to call "Texican rock 'n roll," which is a blend of rock, Texas blues, Tejano, blue-eyed soul, and country music. And they brought that unique style to the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach Friday evening, promoting their latest album, Rockpango, just before taking a winter break from touring.

“Combining all this ethnicity in music, you’re trying to incorporate them all," bassist JoJo Garza told the Sun News. "Music is music: It’s that simple for us.”

Los Lonely Boys -- JoJo, Henry (lead vocals and guitar), and Ringo, Jr. (drums, of course) -- became radio favorites back in 2004 when their rock ballad "Heaven" lit up the Billboard charts. It charted on five separate charts, taking the No. 1 position on the Adult Contemporary chart, No. 3 on the Adult Top 40, No. 23 on the Mainstream Top 40, and No. 23 on the Hot 100 singles chart. It even made it to No. 48 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

The song, which was originally written as a prayer, won Best Pop Performance at the Grammy Awards the next year.

The three brothers' breakout came after recording two self-produced albums in the late 90s. They re-recorded their first album and Epic Records picked it up -- but only after they had been turned down by every other major label. The song "Heaven" was the first single from the album.

Watch Los Lonely Boys "Heaven" video.

Since "Heaven" and their major label debut, Los Lonely boys have recorded four more studio albums, Rockpango (a Spanglish word meaning "rock party") being the latest. Rockpango is a collection of party tunes Garza says the band is "very proud of."

But don't expect any crazy stuff at their shows. They are straight-on Texican rockers.

“We’re not about antics and light shows,” Garza said. “It’s all about the music and connecting with people, with laughs, and maybe shedding a tear.”

If you missed them -- don't worry. According to their website, LosLonelyBoys.com, they hit Fort Lauderdale and Orlando over the Veterans Day weekend before taking a couple months off and taking to the road again in February. They are regulars at House of Blues venues throughout the U. S. And Los Lonely Boys do about 200 shows each year. They'll be in a town near you soon.

[lovemusic]

Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

Los Lonely Boys playing at HOB in North Myrtle Beach
By Steve Palisin - spalisin@thesunnews.com
http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/11/11/2493971/los-lonely-boys-playing-at-hob.html

http://media.thesunnews.com/smedia/2011/11/11/17/01/ynQ7t.St.78.jpg

...Reaching heaven on the charts took patience for the sibling trio Los Lonely Boys, but it answered a prayer.

JoJo Garza, the band’s bassist, remembered the simplicity of how their joint composition “Heaven” was developed with his brothers Henry Garza and Ringo Garza Jr., who play guitar and drums, respectively.

It started with Henry, who sang the lead, JoJo Garza said in a telephone call Monday afternoon from home in San Angelo, central Texas, days before their concert Friday at House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach

“He wrote it down as a prayer,” he said. “Somehow, it turned into a little melody.”

The song climbed multiple charts in 2004, topping the adult contemporary list, and won the Best Pop Performance Grammy Award the next year.

JoJo Garza led with the word “Gosh” in expressing gratitude for that acclaim, but again, voiced his genuine feelings for the song, and the good mood it gave.

“That was just one of those songs we liked to play,” he said.

Garza also said he had “read the other day” on Facebook about a fan whose daughter was named Heaven, after the song.

The Garzas never gave up on “Heaven” and the other 11 numbers on their self-titled debut CD.

“We pitched the album to all the major labels and got turned down,” JoJo Garzas said. Yet, after re-recording it, with all the same songs, Garza said, Epic picked it up.

Los Lonely Boy’s music blends many styles such as rock, blues, jazz and tejano, so its artistic side also turns cultural.

“It’s Texican rock,” Garza said, explaining how each genre has its own attractive roots.

“Combining all this ethnicity in music, you’re trying to incorporate them all. Music is music: It’s that simple for us.”

Garza said it’s not about breaking the music down, but taking something from each genre and utilizing it to continue spreading those influences.

“Without music, the world would be a very, very quiet place,” he said.

The band’s approach also lets listeners anywhere in the world hear something to which they might not otherwise have easy access.

“Music is a language,” he said. “It’s a universal thing. It crosses boundaries, breaks walls and builds walls. It can do a lot of things.”

Garza called the trio’s latest CD, “Rockpango,” a party package released in spring on the Playing in Traffic label, “something we’re very proud of,” with several songs they’ve incorporated into their concerts.

“We’re not about antics and light shows,” he said. “It’s all about the music and connecting with people, with laughs, and maybe shedding a tear.”

Estimating they perform 200 shows a year, Garza still called that pace “a working man’s dream come true,” yet it can take a toll on the voice and body. A diagnosis of vocal-cord problems last year prompted two months away from the microphone for him, but in the remaining months of rehabilitation, “we played concerts without me singing,” he said.

The brothers also play a part in raising awareness of community causes in their home state, a value instilled from their father.

“That’s definitely what’s it about,” Garza said. “It all comes from where we were younger guys and where we grew up. … Times are rough, but you still manage to find it in your heart to care for others, as much as we can. It’s never-ending.”
.

[senoRita]

A few of my favorite things

I joined our Journal Star reviewers in picking the best from the local performing arts scene, but I also had a few favorite national acts from 2011. They were:

* Los Lonely Boys, Lied Center. The Lied went after a younger demographic and didn't disappoint by booking these rockers. It was a great, great concert.


http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/af/6af8a6e4-552c-5a28-9b7b-5674ec0efb98/4efb9d2e1babe.preview-300.jpg

http://journalstar.com/entertainment/arts-and-culture/jeff-korbelik-a-few-more-thoughts-on-s-performing-arts/article_e26aa07b-e78b-55a1-8675-876a4af2cc62.html

[senoRita]

Los Lonely Boys' Rockpango rated #10 by Tjr

Take a look see...


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IhGL2_Wj5fY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[senoRita]

Take a look see!!!!

Awesome!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ljta31znPiA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[senoRita]

02/12/2012 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
OVERVIEW

Los Lonely Boys play a benefit for La Cumbre JH

Hailed by All Music Guide as “one of America’s premier rock bands,” Los Lonely Boys expand and enhance their trademark all-embracing Texican rock ‘n’ roll on Rockpango, the band’s fourth and finest studio release. Continuing their electrifying mix of blues, rock, Latin, hip-hop and jazz, Rockpango shows great assurance, creativity and sophistication. The infectious, heartfelt musical ingredients that rocketed Los Lonely Boys to fame: luscious vocal harmonies, potent songs, irresistible grooves and Henry Garza’s masterful guitar work, are in full abundance. Opening the show will be Technical Difficulties, a teen rock band composed of current and former LCJHS students.

[senoRita]

"They experienced explosive success with their Grammy Award-winning rock-pop single “Heaven”."

"With more than eight years of relentless touring, releasing albums, and selling out venues across the world, the Boys have no plans of stopping any time soon."

“Playing is what keeps us alive. It’s like our medicine; we have to have it all the time. It’s like if you don’t eat your vegetables, you won’t be healthy. It keeps us healthy and happy,” ~Henry Garza~

http://www.inlandsocal.com/iguide/music/20120216-riverside-los-lonely-boys-returns-to-ucr.ece

[senoRita]

I've got my ticket to this show and just found out that it's a benefit for a local family.


Concert to benefit family

A concert Saturday evening by Los Lonely Boys will benefit the family of 4-year-old Yuliana Reyes Vasquez, who died Dec. 30 in a crash on St. Francis Drive.

Jamie Lenfasty, the director of Heath Concerts, said that when he read about the accident, "I was so moved that I decided to do something to help." All the profits from the concert, above direct show costs, will go to the Reyes Vasquez family.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. at SOL@Santa Fe Brewing, 37 Fire Place. General admission tickets are $44 and are on sale at the Lensic box office, 988-1234.

Los Lonely Boys is a Chicano rock power trio from San Angelo, Texas that plays "Texican rock 'n' roll," combining elements of rock and roll, Texas blues, brown-eyed soul, country and Tejano.


http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Local-news-in-brief--Feb--28--2012

[senoRita]

Here's what the Dunwells have to say about Los Lonely Boys.

You’re supporting Los Lonely Boys right now, how is that going?

They are such lovely people. They took us under the wing straight away. The very first night they sat by the side of the stage and gave us support. They are amazing, amazing musicians.

We’ve jammed a bit with them. They are all brothers. Johnny was playing drums with them the other day. And then their drummer Ringo played with Rob on bass. Henry Garza their guitarist is so good!


http://www.musicvice.com/interviews/the-dunwells-interview-290212

[senoRita]

Henry Garza, guitarist and vocalist with Los Lonely Boys, wrote the lyrics to their song, Heaven. It was a prayer; a prayer motivated by his families financial and emotional hardships, combined with the death of his first-born son from sudden infant death syndrome. The prayer expressed his deep desire for healing. "I know there's a better place/Than this place I'm livin'. How far is heaven?"

Henry’s heartfelt plea touched hearts worldwide. Because of the strength of the message, the album that included Heaven sold over 2 million copies.
Melodies move us emotionally and change us physically. Hospitals around the United States are utilizing music in a wide variety of ways. Clinical studies now show that music can be used as a therapy in treating depression, schizophrenia, autism, dementia, and as well, substance abuse. Creating or listening to music can alleviate some negative symptoms of mental illness and ease pain.


http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/may/14/keith-wommack-healing-power-music/

[LOVE THE BOYS]

I have to say Los Lonely Boys music does touch your soul.
I can still remember the 1st time I heard their music.
I was like it went straight into my heart.
I have loved them every since.
Even after all these years their music still moves me.