Just a young kid from Utica, New York who enjoyed all the same things every kid does; hanging out with friends in school, playing outside, grabbing some chicken nuggets from McDonalds, and listening to music.  Most children sat on their bed to listen to the music, but Joe sat on his bed with his Clapton record on and played along.  Little did this young kid know that his future would be forever changed by a fortuitous meeting with B.B. King

Bonamassa played local gigs in upstate New York and at the age of 12 he had the monumental opportunity to open for B.B. King on a series of King’s upstate concerts.  It was from this opportunity that B.B. King spotted Joe’s talent and asked him to sit in with his band.   Joe ripped up the guitar and after his performance King said, “This kid’s potential is unbelievable.  He hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface.  He’s one of a kind.”  When the king of the blues has that to say about a 12 year old you know there must be something special.  Joe recalls after a summer of opening for B.B. King his teacher the following Fall asked the class to write an essay of what they did for their summer vacation.  The teacher, reading a child’s fantasy of being a touring rock musician, told Joe he wanted a truthful essay.  Shocked since he wrote the truth, Joe told the teacher the whole story and later gave him an autograph!

B.B. King has watched Joe grow, and to this day is happy to say that Joe is his friend.  Mr. King recently recorded a duet called “Night Life” on Bonamassa’s last album Black Rock.  The two talk regularly and Joe still gets a kick out of hearing Mr. King’s stories of touring and performing.  You can hear all of Joe’s influences in his playing while still rocking out with his own ball breaking sound.

Recording his 11th album on the Coast of Greece

08.25.2010 – The people of Santorini, Greece know about Joe Bonamassa and his love for their island. Kostas who owns Black Rock studio extended the invite to have Joe record there again. Joe was so inspired by this location that he named his current album Black Rock and was so moved by the sunsets there that he wrote “When The Fire Hits The Sea.”

A year has passed since the first tracking session and completion of Joe’s album Black Rock. After many shows around the world this year and tracking a full album in Malibu with his new band Black Country Communion, Joe has come back to Santorini.Attracted by the white bleached buildings with the lush green touches over looking a beautiful ocean, and known for the great 1982 movie “Summer Lovers” starring Daryl Hannah, Santorini is an island of great history and culture. These two key elements make it suitable for the creative mind to flow and in Joe’s case rock out!

Joe has began recording his 11th album and even after 21 years performing Joe still feels like he is living a dream. “It was just yesterday that I was doing my homework and then opening for BB King.” He is accompanied in the studio by his dear friend and producer Kevin Shirley, bassist Carmine Rojas, keyboardist Rick Melick, legendary drummer Anton Fig and some special guests. Joe has pulled all the stops for this new album with louder,stronger and faster guitar licks. There will be more news coming from the Bonamassa camp about this new record to be released 2011. Be sure to hear Joe on the new Black Country Communion album available at www.jbonamassa.com and get the Free Download.

Joe Bonamassa’s website has gone mobile. The blues rock titan’s amazing and entertaining website has been condensed into a rocking mobile version. Now Bonamassa fans can access tickets,merch,news,twitter and screen savers right at their finger tips. The mobile world has just got hit with ripping guitar licks and a taste of what is to come.

Bonamassa mobile is compatible with all smart phones. It’s easy navigation allows Iphone,Android,Black Berry & all smart phone users to guide through the site. Purchasing tickets on Bonamassa mobile is as easy as one click of your finger. Amazing screen savers can be accessed in the media tab to add a rocking look to your phone. Latest news about Joe Bonamassa and Black Country Communion with Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian on your phone. Follow Joe via twitter is a great feature that is easily found at Bonamassa mobile. An exciting feature I found was the list of radio stations where I could instantly call from my phone to request Joe’s music.

Check out Bonamassa mobile today by going to jbonamassa.com right on your phone. Also be sure to order your copy of Black Country Communion’s album and get FREE digital copy.

Pre-Order promotion will end on September 7th at 12PM midnight EST.
All preorder are shipped one week prior to street date – Sept 21

PRE-ORDER THE PHYSICAL ALBUM TODAY AND GET THE DIGITAL COPY OF THE ALBUM ON STREET DATE – SEPTEMBER 21ST 2010 !!!

Lewis Hamilton Meets Joe Bonamassa

F1 Driver & Bonamassa Fan Lewis Hamilton Meets Joe

Claude Nobs Is Excited About Joe Bonamassa

When you are the founder of the most historic and long lasting European music festivals, you can say you have seen it all. Claude Nobs the founder Montreux Jazz Festival which just celebrated it’s 44th year is that man.

Claude started the Montreux Jazz Festival back in 1967 along with Géo Voumard and René Langel. Claude was a huge fan of music and wanted to give back to the fans. He started the festival to give fans a different live experience. One in which they can see various performers with different styles. It all came about after a Frank Zappa gig at the Montreux Casino. A fan shot a flare into the ceiling and everything caught on fire. Zappa took his guitar smashed a window and Claude directed the fans out safely. As the members of Deep Purple watched the casino burn a song was born. Deep Purple wrote “Smoke On The Water” about the fire and as Claude says all the details are in the song.

Claude Nobs has seen many performers in his day old and new. He recently stated “Joe Bonamassa is one of the most amazing guitar players I’ve heard in a long time.” Joe performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 13th. Pulling out songs from his new album Black Rock with ripping guitar solos. Claude enjoyed Joe’s performance of his single “Blue and Evil” as the crowd stood and cheered for more. Joe finished his set leaving the crowd wanting more as the amps faded out. Be sure to check out Joe’s new project along side Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian on their Black Country Communion album our 9/21/2010.

-ROCK LIVES

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/gibson-reveals-0528/

Check it out: http://www.rockrealms.com/interrogation/blackcountrycommunion.php