Billerica native's music strikes a chord at UnchARTed
By Rick Sobey, rsobey@lowellsun.com
Rocker Bobbo Byrnes, who grew up in Billerica before moving to Southern California 15 years ago, will play a show at UnchARTed in Lowell Friday night. COURTESY PHOTO
LOWELL -- The Billerica "kid" is coming home. Musician Bobbo Byrnes, who grew up in Billerica before moving to Southern California about 15 years ago for music, will play a show at UnchARTed in Lowell Friday night.
His performance in the Mill City comes on the heels of his recent 65-show European tour with The Fallen Stars, his Americana rock band. Similar artists to his band include Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
"We're hoping you can come check out a Billerica kid making his way in the world today," Byrnes, 45, said on Tuesday, ahead of this weekend's show. "Come on out and have some fun."
Byrnes lived in Billerica until his late 20s. Then in 2000, he moved with his wife, Tracy, to California and founded the Americana rock band.
Billerica native Bobbo Byrnes and his wife Tracy are on stage tonight at UnchARTed with a show that is sure hit close to home. COURTESY PHOTO
Blending rock-and-roll energy, country-flavored instrumentation and folk-inspired story-telling, The Fallen Stars have carved out a niche in the Southern California music scene.
He plays guitar, while his wife plays bass. They both sing. The band also includes a drummer, violinist, slide guitarist and more.
"It's been going great," Byrnes said about the band. "We're having a great time."
He called the recent tour in Europe "pretty amazing." The band played 65 shows in 70 days, from the United Kingdom to Germany.
The venues ranged from small house concerts to 700 attendees at a festival.
"The (American) music goes over very well," Byrnes said. "They like American music over there.
"I never realized how American I sounded until I was in Europe and started playing," he added.
In Europe, he also played shows for child refugees, which he said was "life-changing in my world view."
He changed the words of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," replacing the American names with German landmarks for the refugees.
"It's about trying to break down walls, and try to make sure we're all connected," Byrnes said. "I want them to understand a song of unity.
Rocker Bobbo Byrnes performs at UnchARTed in Lowell tonight. COURTESY PHOTO
His show on Friday begins at 8 p.m. He'll play for about 90 minutes.
UnchARTed is located at 103 Market St. in downtown Lowell.
Follow Rick Sobey on Twitter @rsobeyLSun.