Billy Walton Band

Event information

Billy Walton Band

In the history of rock n roll there is a long tradition of guitarists trading in their jobs as sidemen to become virtuoso frontmen in their own right. Early on Jimi Hendrix played in Little Richards’ band and Eric Clapton worked with numerous groups like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominos before starting his legendary career as a solo artist. Even Stevie Ray Vaughn had a stint as a member of David Bowie’s touring band before going solo. There seems to be something about apprenticing with another artist that brings out the best in some guitar players. After spending years honing their craft it becomes impossible for their unique style and personality to be held back.

Such is the case with Billy Walton. Since the age of 15 Walton has plied his craft in the Asbury Park/New Jersey shore music scene.  Walton has played countless gigs in both the United States and Europe and sat in with numerous of rock luminaries including Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Stevie Ray’s backing band, Double Trouble.  In November 2009 Billy’s efforts culminated with a two week tour as the guitarist for Southsid Johnny.

The 33-year old Walton’s talents are no secret among everyone in the Jersey shore music scene and with the founding of the Billy Walton Band there’s little doubt his reputation will grow far beyond the Garden State. The Billy Walton Band’s sound is a combination of hard blues reminiscent of Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughn mixed with a healthy dose of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. Live, Walton has always been an explosive performer with jaw dropping talent but with the addition of bassist William Paris, drummer John Hummel, the Billy Walton band churns out a singular brand of funky blues that has deep roots in both the jam band musical tradition as well as the Jersey shore Walton has cut his teeth on.   

Since 2007 the band has played over 500 shows.  Some of the highlights are shows supporting Robin Trower, Johnny Winter, and Southside Johnny.  Touring has brought the band to North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.  There have been tours to the UK in Sept 07, Feb 08, Nov 08,  Feb 09, Oct 09, and Feb 10.

Walton’s connection to his heroes is not just through his record collection. Over the years he has developed a close friendship with Roger Mayer, the well-known British guitar effects guru whose devices have played such a pivotal part in rock n roll for nearly every major player since Hendrix.

But regardless of his influences or where he’s from, the Billy Walton Band’s ultimate appeal lies in the unique musical gifts of its founder, Walton himself, who, like his forebears is poised to join the long and storied list of sidemen whose time has come to step out front.

Billy Walton has for the past couple of years been a part of Southside Johnny’s band as well as keeping the flame of his solo career alive.

In November the band will be touring the UK to help promote their forthcoming, as yet untitled Cd – don’t miss out on this opportunity to see and hear this great talent from New Jersey.

Virgil & The Accelerators

VIRGIL MCMAHON is without doubt the finest young player to emerge in the UK for a good many years. Emulating his father when just 5 years of age, he picked up a mandolin and began to strum chords. From that day forward a guitar has never left his side and he would often be seen on balmy Friday nights running around helping his Father set up his stage gear at The Radium Beer Hall, South Africa, where he would play his blues to an appreciative audience.

By age 9 Virgil was absorbing his influences with frightening ease; Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top amongst others were soon emanating from his guitar. At 12 years of age he was invited to jam with the great bluesman Otis Grand, an evening that earned himhis first standing ovation.

The following few years saw Virgil playing at local gigs and festivals in and around his new home in Wales. It was widely agreed that something very special was being witnessed. Virgil decided to form a young and vibrant band thus avoiding the mistake a lot of young players make, that of surrounding themselves with a group of more seasoned professionals.Younger brother GABRIEL (at the time an unbeaten amateur boxer) was recruited to playdrums along with a local bass player. VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS were unveiled atthe prestigious West Midlands venue, the Robin 2 in Wolverhampton where they immediately established a rapport with the knowledgeable Robin 2 crowd.

In 2009 came a big break when playing at The Anchor in London, one of many venues promoted by club guru Pete Feenstra. This connection led to the band being taken on by The Rhino Agency and subsequently joining Joanne Shaw Taylor and Oli Brown on the sell out“New Generation Blues Tour” and enjoying main stage performances at major festivals around the UK.

At just 18yrs old, lead guitarist of Virgil and the Accelerators, Virgil McMahon, became the youngest person shortlisted in the 2010 British Blues Awards.
 During the past year Virgil and his 17yr old brother Gabriel on drums have toured extensively in the UK and Northern Europe, ending the year playing in front of a combinedaudience of over 5,000 fans enjoying two fantastic performances with Joanne Shaw Taylor in support of Black Country Communion at London Shepherds Bush Empire and Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Virgil & The Accelerators now feature the talents of 21yr old Bassist Jack Timmis the final cog that completes a unit so full of energy and power that audiences are left simply breathless. Virgil has astonishing Fretboard skills, a Vibrato that is a National treasure, and is a true feel player delivering jaw dropping solos. Together with Gabriel’s powerhouse drumming and Jack’s solid bass lines, the result is a band which has been likened to a new “Cream”. Virgil and his exciting band have a clear understanding of dynamics and the rare ability to get inside a song, turn it inside out and then back again – a talent that brings astanding ovation at every show.

In 2010 Virgil & The Accelerators signed to Mystic Records, recording their all-original debut album entitled “THE RADIUM” which is to be released 26th September and backed up with a full UK tour.