Albert Del Rio
Biography:
Albert Del Rio is the former drummer and lead vocalist of Clambone Records recording artists Smokehouse Prophets, an alternative funk act. While with this project, Albert had the good fortune to play in numerous large and small venues with an eclectic collection of famous acts, such as P-Funk with George Clinton, B.B King, Blondie, Creed, The Foo Fighters, Jewel, Little Feat, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dr.John, Soul Asylum, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Toni Trishka, The Subdudes, Scott Weiland, Gatemouth Brown, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fastball, Harvey Danger, and others.
During the group's five years of touring and recording, Albert's "aggressive funk rhythms", "unique vocal stylings", and "off-beat lyrical approach" helped garner both the band and himself widespread critical acclaim and a large following.
In 1999 Smokehouse Prophets was voted as one of the nation's top unsigned bands by Discmakers U.S.A. Following the demise of the band in 2000, Albert had a life changing epiphany listening to Ani DiFranco; he went straight out and bought a guitar and started writing. It wasn't long before Albert started taking it to the stage solo, guitar in hand, with new, original material. He is dedicated to bringing his unique blend of passion and rhythm to the masses in a big way.
Albert has now won two "Best of NYC Singer Songwriter" awards for 2003 and 2005 from U.M.O Music NYC. Recordings of the live performances that secured these prestigious awards appear on U.M.O.'s "Best Of NYC" CD compilations for 2003 and 2005. Albert was also chosen from hundreds of acts nationwide to perform at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, an event hosted by the National Association of Popular Music/National Songwriters Guild. This important, semi-annual event showcases the nation's best upcoming songwriters and performers.
In addition, Albert has appeared on NBC's "Extra" and Univision NYC Metro news. He will also be featured in a new book about the world’s best unsigned and underplayed talent, penned by Chris 'K' Kresge and Clint Gaige; it's titled "The Long Road..The Best Music You've Never Heard", and will be released by Quiet Storm Publishing. Albert appears as himself in the independent film "The Sweet Life"(2003). Albert presently has equipment agreements with Martin Guitars and K&K Pickups.
Albert's musical influences are diverse and include, in no particular order: Johnny Cash, Ani Di Franco, Martin Sexton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willy Nelson, John Prine, Jack Johnson, Ben Folds, John Meyer, Suzanne Vega, Merle Haggard, Prince, Taj Mahal, Lucinda Williams, Wynton Marsalis, Bela Bartok, Aaron Copeland, Tom Ze, and many others.
