Bob Villa and his wife, Penny, perform a mix of jazz, soft rock and gospel, with originals that reflect his Native American heritage. Villa was raised in the Gila River Pima Indian Community and now travels the southwest playing his music. Photo by Phil Houseal
Details:
Contact Bob Villa at 602-705-2320, or email Mrs.Bob@DesertManMusic.com.
Villa tried out for Nashville Star in 2008. Read about it
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Bob Villa: Native American
by Phil Houseal
Oct 17, 2007
"I'm a Native American
My heart goes back ten thousand years"
Musician Bob Villa is a Native American. His mother was Gila River Pima; his father Mexican.
He grew up as part of the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix, Arizona. Now he travels the country and plays music - all kinds of music.
"I play Top 40, lounge music, gospel, and rock and roll," he said. "If I had to characterize my style, I would say very light jazz to blues to contemporary country."
He does have 40 originals, including a few that "blatantly" highlight his Native American heritage, but with a more contemporary beat.
"I'm a Native American
Strong and proud and free"
Villa and his wife Penny came to Fredericksburg this summer. Their trail to the hill country wound through the Inn of the Mountain Gods in New Mexico. They were performing at the Mescalero Apache casino and resort when Texan Mark Everett heard them. Everett happened to be the only one in the club at one point. He liked what he heard. So he convinced the Villas to come to Fredericksburg to play at the new place Everett was opening - The Buffalo Nickel.
"He was like my own personal jukebox," Everett said of Villa. "He has a fabulous voice, his wife sings great backup, and he knows a lot of songs. He fit what I had in mind for my place - blues, jazz, soft rock; you name it, he plays it."
The "jukebox" reference was apt, since I counted more than 300 songs on his list the night I listened. Patrons were welcome to jot down requests on slips he provides, and he played every single one. He wailed through an impressive range of styles from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
"I'm a Native American
I survived the trail of tears"
After playing local clubs through the summer, Bob and Penny left to spend time in Tennessee. But they plan to be back in the Hill Country in November.
"We've made so many inroads that we are sure this will be a place we return to on a regular basis," said Penny, noting they also played at Silver Creek, Lincoln Street, Primeaux's, and Pampells. "We love everything about the area. The people are wonderful, and the local musicians totally embraced us."
Villa is also an ordained minister, and has recorded a CD of Christian tunes. He studied voice in college and knows his way around a guitar, making lots of music in a compact space. The night I heard him, the most riveting performance was an original tune called Native American. The song ended with a haunting ululation that drew straight from his heritage. It also summed up the mind, muse, and music of Bob Villa.
"I'm a Native American
Ain't nobody just like me"
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