Bobby Messano
If you’ve never heard of Bobby Messano, he was born in NJ very close to NYC. He grew up at a time when a young guitarist could work hard, learn his craft and maybe become a guitar hero...(or at least play on a record or two) His main influences as a young guitarist were Jeff Beck,BB King,Eric Clapton,Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix. He also listened to as much Beatles and R&B as possible.Bobby played in NJ club bands from the time that he was fourteen years old, and by the mid seventies, he had become rather well known in the North Jersey area.His first big break came when Craig Leon and Seymour Stein of now famous Sire Records tried to sign him to a solo deal. Being young and maybe a lot scared, he graciously declined the offer and waited to fade into oblivion. By a strange quirk of fate (or maybe because someone was desperate) he received a call a few months later from John Scher’s office. A band that John managed, named Stanky Brown were in need of a lead guitarist. Bobby auditioned,got the gig, and went on the road opening for ,KANSAS,The Allman Brothers,Outlaws,Boston,Beach Boys Steve Miller and others. He then joined the band STARZ, who were already world famous,recording Coliseum Rock with them. STARZ toured with RUSH, TED NUGENT and STYX. Bobby then settled into the session,scene playing on records including BENNY MARDONES’ “INTO THE NIGHT”.He then joined FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS.With the KO’s he played headlining shows and opened for Toto and The Beach Boys. Bobby also continued his session work in NYC recording with Clarence Clemmons and playing on many MTV jingles and drops. In 1983 he took 6 months to do a European tour with STEVE WINWOOD. Bobby also recorded with Fiona, Joe Lynn Turner, Robey and David Hasselhoff. In 1987, he was the guitarist on LOU GRAMM’S “MIDNIGHT BLUE” tour. In 1989 Bobby released “MESSANO” on Relativity Records.It garnered amazing reviews and airplay and is still listed in many Top 50 lists for AOR Classics. In 1990 he made a decision to put a band together doing Rockin’ Blues and Funk. Bobby and his crew traveled hundreds of thousands of miles with over 2500 shows. In 1997 he recorded his 2nd solo CD,DOMINION ROADS. It was released on Ichiban/EMI Records, which went bankrupt. Bobby searched for a label to re-release the CD and moved from Virginia to Nashville. In 2002, DR found a home with Fishhead Records in Ohio. The renamed and remastered CD came out as HOLDIN’ GROUND and garnered a First Round Grammy Nomination and rave reviews from Radio and Press. Bobby lived in Nashville for 9 years, touring with Alecia Elliot, Steve Holy,Rodney Atkins and Jimmy Wayne.In 2006 he co-Produced the Shadows of KNight CD, “A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER” and toured on the “LITTLE STEVEN UNDERGROUND GARAGE BAND TOUR”. Bobby relocated to NYC/NJ in 2007. His acclaimed 1989 “MESSANO” has been re-released,and he is finishing the follow-up to “HOLDIN’ GROUND” , “TRIALS TRAUMAS TRIBULATIONS AND DEMOS”.

Location: Lower New York State

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