2012: The Year of Joe Bonamassa
We're all familiar with the quote, "Make hay while the sun shines." This phrase means to do thing at the most suitable occasions. Don't procrastinate. "Get it done now, while you've got the chance - put it off, and the chance may not come again."
While some may call Joe a workaholic, I say he's driven by an intrinsic zealousness for all music and playing of the blues. And right now, he’s in high demand and living the life every legendary talent should. Therefore I declare 2012: “The Year of Joe Bonamassa.”
The following is a summary of some of Joe’s accomplishments in 2012:
- Complete with CD compilation, featured on cover of January 2012 issue of Classic Rock
- Appeared at NAMM 2012
- Spring tour brought modern blues-rock to 55 locations throughout Europe, U.S.A. and South America
- Featured in Guitarist Deluxe iPad edition
- After 23 years as professional musician, Joe goes gold in Germany
- Released new signature Gibson Custom Shop ES-335
- Inducted Freddie King, along with ZZ Top and Derek Trucks, at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Took home award from Blues Music for best Blues Rock album (Dustbowl, 2011)
- Debut of 13th album "Driving Towards the Daylight" dominated iTunes and #1 Blues Chart
- Appeared on David Letterman show as guest musician
- Interviewed by Rolling Stone, Argentina
- Filmed live acoustic DVD in Vienna and honored by Walk of Stars
- Featured in July 2012 issue Guitar World magazine
- Vintage Guitar interviews Joe for August 2012 issue
- MC and performer at Guitar Center's annual Battle of the Blues
- Featured on cover September 2012 issue Guitar Player
- Recorded Deep Purple's "Lazy" with Jimmy Barnes as part of tribute album due out in September
- One of several featured guitar mentors at Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival August 26 – September 2, 2012
And after all of this, Bonamassa is gearing up for another world tour beginning in September where he'll perform in Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manilla, and Hong Kong. He and the band will then make their way to Australia for six sold out shows.
A stop-over in Honolulu kicks off the American leg of the world tour in October. This is Joe’s first appearance in Hawaii.
Additional scheduled stops include Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio (four shows), New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. Closing out the tour in Florida, home to Bonamassa's independently owned recording label J & R Adventures, Inc., six performances are booked.
For more on Joe Bonamassa, his career and fans, be sure to visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JoeBonamassaTV
www.facebook.com/pages/Bonamassa-Live/317088080884
Yours in music,
DebFromMaine Hebert
