Listen Here – Out Now!
Get ready to groove as Carmen Grillo, the guitarist and Grammy-nominated engineer, unleashed his highly anticipated album ‘Walkin’ The Tightrope’ on October 7, 2025. This masterpiece, infused with hints of blues, rock and jazz, is a testament to Grillo’s unparalleled talent and five years of meticulous craftsmanship in his state-of-the-art Big Surprise Music studio.
Walkin’ The Tightrope is a vibrant collection of original songs that showcase Grillo’s fiery guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and impeccable production. Recorded with some of the finest musicians in the industry, the album features luminaries like Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff from Chicago, renowned keyboardist Rob Mullins, and Doc Kupka from Tower of Power, where Grillo himself was a driving force for nearly a decade. This star-studded lineup delivers a sound that’s as dynamic as it is infectious, perfect for fans of guitar-driven blues with a sophisticated edge.
Hailing from Buffalo, New York, and raised in Santa Cruz, California, Carmen Grillo has carved a remarkable path in the music world. From his early days fronting local bands to becoming an in-demand session musician in Los Angeles, Grillo has shared stages and studios with icons like David Foster, Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis And The News, Donna Summer, The Four Tops, Boz Scaggs, and Rita Coolidge. His tenure with Tower of Power from 1988 to 1997 cemented his reputation as a powerhouse guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, with his work resonating with fans worldwide.
Grillo’s journey also includes co-writing One More Day with James Pankow for Chicago’s platinum-selling album Chicago XVIII, touring with Rita Coolidge and Bill Champlin, and earning a Grammy nomination for engineering Dave Koz’s Summer Horns album. His previous solo efforts, Both Sides of the Coin and A Different World, showcased his lyrical depth and searing guitar work, earning praise from Music Connection for his “upscale blues-rock with just the right amount of swing” and “tuneful dexterity.”
Influences
Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ray Charles
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