It’s just the way they planned it — or, at least, the way they hoped it would be.
Playing behind their father, Ringo Garza Sr., as kids in cantinas and honky-tonks, the three brothers, who became known to the world as Los Lonely Boys, moved to Nashville in their teens to try to win a record deal.
The brothers are 30-year-old drummer Ringo, guitarist Henry, 33, and bass player JoJo, 31. They will be pleasing audiences as they blend their voices on the stage of the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on June 23.
Coming up with a record deal wasn’t as easy as the brothers thought, according to JoJo. “In fact, it didn’t really happen for us until we moved back to our native San Angelo, Texas, got a new manager, and our style of music known as ‘Texican rock ’n’ roll’ began to catch on,” he explained.
Their debut single, Heaven, reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004. In 2005, the song won a Grammy award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Other songs nominated for Grammys include More Than Love and Onda, both in 2006.
“Receiving the Grammy really surprised us,” JoJo said. “We weren’t really taught about that side of music. We were taught about the music we came from . . . how it was created, at least the kind of music we were listening to. That music was made by people who weren’t super-rich, and it had a lot to do with the ability to create, because in that way you don’t ever lose that part of who you are.”
Their most recent album is titled Rockpango, a “Spanglish” word that means rock party, JoJo explained. “It features eleven original tracks, marking the first full-length studio album released by us on our own LonelyTone imprint label.”
Actually, he doesn’t like to analyze the music too much.
“I don’t feel there’s any reason to categorize our music. We’re just trying to capture versatile music, to capture freedom,” he said. “We enjoy the ability to play what we feel.”
The members of Los Lonely Boys believe their music is universal, as proved by their last tour of Europe and the huge crowds who turned out.
“And we were very thankful for that,” JoJo said. “We spent three weeks in Europe on tour for our new record and now we’re touring it here. We think our music helps people get away from their everyday lives. It’s a beautiful thing to watch how people can connect with each song.”
He also believes that anything can be changed with music, and that you can learn to see how empty the world would be without music.
ldquo;Without music in our lives, colors wouldn’t be as bright. Greens wouldn’t be as green. The sky wouldn’t be as blue. I don’t even think an echo would be an echo,” JoJo said. “We all need music around us.”
The brothers believe that their ability to make beautiful music comes from on high, from God. “And what He gave us provides the ability to create our own little ball of energy, then give it to the crowd, and feel the crowd create a third bigger ball of energy, and give it back to us,” JoJo said.
ldquo;For the future, first and foremost, I hope we’re still alive. But after that, we only hope we can keep it up and continue to do what we’re doing, because we love it so.” ••
For times and ticket information, call 215–572–7650.
