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EPK

About The Band

We are a Bakersfield-inspired band playing “California-Country Music”, based on the life, travels and songs of Attila Viola, as well as the Masters who came before us like Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Paycheck, and more. Our music sticks to the script of the traditional Bakersfield Sound, but also blends in some very hard and strong guitar work as well as a more contemporary, very high-energy backbeat. We play shows from Barrooms to County Fairs to Private Shows and everything else in between. Look for our upcoming EP Kern County Blues, coming late 2024, follow by new bookings throughout Northern California.

Band Members

Featuring a seasoned band of Bay Area musical talent:

Band Bio Photos

Attila Viola

A SMOOTH, COUNTRY BARITONE LEAD VOCALS & GUITAR

Originally a product of the 1980s Lone Star Café music scene in NYC, Attila sings, writes and plays what he calls “true, pure, Bakersfield/California-Country!” Now a longtime Northern California resident, he has put together a cast of California A-List veteran musicians to play the songs Attila writes about his life, his travels and travails, as well as songs from his heroes, like Merle Haggard, his friends and his musical progeny. Look for his upcoming EP Kern County Blues, coming late 2024.

Sam Smiley

LEAD GUITAR
A longtime fixture of the Chicago music scene, the Indiana native also has a Master’s Degree in Jazz Theory. Interesting Fact: Sam wrote a book about the Roy Nichols style of Telecaster Finger Picking (available on Amazon), and himself is a Telecaster Master extraordinaire. If you close your eyes and listen to his licks at a show you swear you are listening to the original style of Tele Picking from an earlier era. Sam was the original Lead Guitarist for Attila Viola & The Bakersfield Boys and we are sure happy to have him back!

Simon Planting

BASS
Dutch native Simon Planting is the undisputed leader among Gypsy jazz bassists, having played with the crème de la crème of jazz Manouche guitarists. He’s performed in concerts and festivals the world over, while compiling an impressive discography with artists like Mathilde Santing, Fapy Lafertin, Jimmy Rosenberg, Stephane Wrembel, Bill Frisell, Art Blakely and Howard Alden to name a few. Simon is also the DjangoFest NW Artistic Director, held in Whidbey Island every year.

Simon shares a longtime cooperation with John Jorgenson (Desert Rose , Elton John and The Hellecasters ) Western Swing hall of famer Mark Holzinger, (Don Burnham of the Lost Weekend ) and John Jarvis pianist for Vince Gill , Rod Steward, Simon & Garfunkel etc.

Craig Manrique

DRUMMER
Craig is a longtime SF Bay Area Rock & Roll Drummer, well known and respected by all his musical peers. Craig has used his uniquely excellent style on drums in many well-known bands over the years, including his own innovative band Acid Hicks, and driving the beat for the Unauthorized Rolling Stones for many years. Some years back, Craig decided that he wanted to play Honky Tonk Music at a high level and joined up with Attila Viola & The Bakersfield Boys, immediately taking the band’s shows to a higher level. You can hear Craig on every track of the upcoming EP, Kern County Blues by Attila Viola & The Bakersfield Boys, coming later in 2024.

Rob Clot

PEDAL STEEL GUITAR
A veteran country music player Rob knows the genre so well, that he once had a band called Ramblin’ Fever! Rob brings his strong knowledge of both the music and genre to the table every performance. When he is not playing music, you can find Rob on the credits of many movies that you know and love for his extensive Special Effects work and extensive IMDB catalog.

band member photos ©Nick Viola | Simon Planting photo ©Alex Forsyth

Contact

PRESS: Attila Viola
✆ 415.328.2299
attila@alzv.com

BOOKING: Erica Glenn
✆ 530.420.5517
e@marlucblu.com

Band Bio

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Press Quotes

“They put on great show! The music is a vocal and guitar centric approach with a "honky-tonk" vibe; the lyrics are sung beautifully and the band offers a seriously rollicking good time, providing a very polished, tight and professional evening of entertainment.”