Lou DiBello to release fifth solo album, perform at Homer Lake and Pink Pig this weekend

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com

Lou DiBello started his career as a musician like many other teenagers.

As a boy, he learned the piano and saxophone before picking up the guitar at age 15.

“My first live shows with a band were in my senior year in high school. We played a few parties and a school event,” DiBello said.

But unlike many young musicians, DiBello continued on after graduation.

Since then, he’s performed in over 3,000 professional gigs, and will play in over 150 shows in 2019.

“Live playing is what it is all about for me, facing the challenge of performing as well as I possibly can, every time,” he said. “And feeling the connection with the crowd, which is especially strong when I am playing my best.”

Over the years, DiBello has performed alongside some Central Illinois greats, such as Toyzz, Blanche Talley, Mistress ESP and in David Howie’s Live Jukebox Show. But he’s also been in the spotlight, singing lead and performing in the instrumental version of The Lou DiBello Band.

DiBello now enjoys being center stage in the three-piece Lou DiBello Band alongside Ron Phelps on drums and vocals and Stacy Krejci on bass and vocals.

“It has been very rewarding, as I really am focused more than ever on doing my own thing,” he said. “I play a fair amount of original music at almost every show, and I put my own spin on most of the cover material.”

This month, DiBello is releasing his fifth solo album, “American Rock Hard.”

“It is also the first to feature me singing almost all the material, and I am actually really happy with the results,” he said.

Besides the solo albums, DiBello has also released two albums by ESP, and played on the six-song Blanche Talley release.

“I have so many diverse influences,” he said.

“While I play mainly rock and blues-influenced style, I am a fan of many styles, and listened to everything from Hendrix and the Beatles to Frank Zappa, jazz and classical.

“A huge influence early on was my uncle Dave, who is to this day an incredible jazz guitarist.”

The Lou DiBello Band is performing three times in the area this weekend. The band starts off at The Pink Pig in Ogden on Thursday before moving on to Sidney Fun Days on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Their weekend will end at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve on Sunday the 28th as they perform from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Champaign County Forest Preserve’s Summer Concert Series.

“I want people to remember that they saw a really great guitar player,” he said.

“Of course I want them to have a good time, but if they enjoy music and they get to see something different than the average cover band, usually that translates into a fun, memorable evening.”

DiBello will have copies of his new CD and latest release “Heat Wave” along with T-shirts at his shows.

To learn more about Lou DiBello and his upcoming performances visit www.loudibello.com or follow him on Facebook.