“Blues is such an expressive style of music. It can bring tears to your eyes, Make you laugh, Make you think etc. You can feel what an artist is feeling through his or her voice. I think the Blues is an important genre of music and expression of what someone feels inside.”

Carmen Grillo: Walkin’ The Tightrope

Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Santa Cruz, California, guitarist Carmen Grillo fronted several local bands before moving to Los Angeles in pursuit of more creative endeavors. Carmen soon became an in-demand session guitarist and vocalist. Carmen has performed or recorded with such great talents as David Foster, Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis And The News, Donna Summer, The Four Tops, Boz Scaggs, Luis Miguel, Rita Coolidge, Bill Champlin and several other major artists. From 1980 through 1986, Carmen toured the world and recorded with Rita Coolidge (Higher and Higher, We’re All Alone). Also, during that same time period, Carmen toured with Bill Champlin promoting his solo albums, Single and Runaway. In 1985, Carmen co-wrote One More Day with James Pankow of the band Chicago, which appeared on their platinum selling album Chicago XVIII.                                             (Carmen Grillo / Photo by Doug Adair)

In 1988 Carmen joined the legendary horn-based soul band Tower of Power, where he became a driving force within the group. His writing, singing and guitar playing made him easily recognized by music fans around the world. He performed and recorded with TOP for the better part of a decade before leaving in 1997 to pursue other musical interests. Those interests included opening the doors to his recording studio, Big Surprise Music, where he is a music producer and the chief engineer. Carmen is a member of the Bay Area band The Sons of Champlin, who were an early influence in the San Francisco music scene of the 1960’s and 70’s, and The Max Weinberg Band. Carmen’s new album titled “Walkin’ The Tightrope” and will be out at the end of September 2025.

Interview by Michael Limnios                  Archive: Carmen Grillo, 2014 Interview

How has the music influenced your views of the world?

Well the world has definitely changed and of course so has the music, hence my last album is titled  “A Different World” (2013) music reflects where the world is at. Right now things are very political and that’s what music reflects for the most part. Not all of it, but a lot of it does. We’re living in a very pivotal time.

What moment changed your music life the most?

When I was fourteen years old I had the chance to meet and play with BB King. As you can imagine, it was very inspiring. He taught me things that I still remember to this day. There are many other moments as well, like when I cowrote a song with Jimmy Pankow (Chicago) called One More Day and David Foster put it on Chicago 18. That was a life changing moment for sure. When I joined Tower Of Power in 1988, that was a game changer too. I got to tour and record with my favorite band for ten years.

How do you describe your sound and music philosophy?

I would like to describe my sound as something that I feel inside, and that expression comes out in my voice and my guitar tone. My philosophy is be true to the music and come from an honest place. That is where music comes from, the soul. As long as you’re honest with yourself, you will have an audience. People can tell if the music is or isn’t coming from an honest place.

“It’s hard for me to say what the impact of music has on others. For me, as the world changes the music changes and all through history one thing that never changes is some of the music is good and some of it isn’t. It's very subjective and everyone has their own opinions of what good and not good are.” (Carmen Grillo with Bill Champlin & Tamara Champlin / Photo by Doug Adair)

What musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?

As a guitarist, I would have to say Jeff Beck is one of my greatest inspirations. So creative and innovating and kept getting better and better as time went on. As a singer, I’m still a big fan of Motown artists of the 60’s and 70’s. To me that was the time period that I felt the best songs were written and the  best singers were around. Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding. Really nothing like that since.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music?

I’ve tried to learn as many styes of music that I can, that way I can keep learning and growing. There is iso much to   learn and keeping up with the latest music and artists helps me grow as a guitarist, singer, and writer. It’s the only way to progress.

What has remained the same about your music-making process?

It’s more a mindset than anything else. I’m always trying to make whatever I do today, better than what I did yesterday.

What keeps a musician passionate after many years in music? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Hopefully as time goes on the passion increases. I think that can only happen when you are looking forward and not backwards.

I’ve been blessed with wonderful opportunities and people in my life. I had a mother and father that fully supported my career in music which gave me the chance to practice as much as I wanted as long as I was doing well in school. It was a very structured childhood with lots of discipline and love. That got me off to a great start. Meeting and playing with BB King was probably a big shot in the arm. Leading my own bands and playing my own music was always a highlight. Touring with Bill Champlin, Rita Coolidge, Tower Of Power, Sons Of Champlin, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were all highlights. Now that I am not touring, I had the time to record a new album that I’m super excited about. It’s called Walkin’ The Tightrope and will be out at the end of September 2025. I will be putting together a band to go out and play this music in Nevada and California. I’ll play wherever I’m asked to play as long as it makes sense in the dollar department.

“I would like to describe my sound as something that I feel inside, and that expression comes out in my voice and my guitar tone. My philosophy is be true to the music and come from an honest place. That is where music comes from, the soul. As long as you’re honest with yourself, you will have an audience. People can tell if the music is or isn’t coming from an honest place.“ (Photo: Carmen Grillo, early days)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

Blues is such an expressive style of music. It can bring tears to your eyes, Make you laugh, Make you think etc. You can feel what an artist is feeling through his or her voice. I think the Blues is an important genre of music and expression of what someone feels inside.

What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

That is difficult to explain. Some artists are not virtuosos as instrumentalists, but have a lot to say. That is on the more soul and emotional side. On the other hand, There are artists who can stun with their skill and technique. They are both valid. There are some artists  that can put it all together and that’s when the magic happens.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

It’s hard for me to say what the impact of music has on others. For me, as the world changes the music changes and all through history one thing that never changes is some of the music is good and some of it isn’t. It's very subjective and everyone has their own opinions of what good and not good are.

As a studio owner of Big Surprise Music, where you’re a music producer and the chief engineer. What do you think is key to a good recording album?

It  always starts with the song. Arrangement and performance is also very important. It is my job as a producer to listen to what the artist brings to the table and bring the best out of their song and their performance. Using the best musicians and equipment is also very important, but it all starts with the song.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The lessons I’ve learned through my career have more to do with people skills than music. Musicians are very fragile when it comes to their own music and abilities. How you approach dealing with a sensitive issue is with sensitivity. Handling every situation has to be dealt with in a way that even if there is a disagreement, the other person must be given respect. For example, he or she may think they did their best. I, as a producer or band mate, may feel they could do it better. There is a way to explain that without offending the other person. My experience has taught me how to do that. I’m sure there is still room for improvement on my part, but as an artist, I’m trying to improve as a human and as a Musician always.

Carmen Grillo - Home

(Carmen Grillo / Photo by Shai Dawn & Adrien McKechnie)