Artist description Hailing from Arlington Virginia, or “LA” (which the band jokingly calls “Lower-Arlington”), Soul Purpose is one of Washington DC’s hottest and most promising bands. Playing an eclectic blend of contemporary and progressive rock, the 1999 "Wammie" award nominated band has gained a reputation as a successful live act through constant gigging and continual ability to draw large, enthusiastic crowds where ever and whenever they play.

Music Style Contemporary Rock with a neo-classic sound at times...

Musical Influences Collective Soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sublime, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, Fat Boy Slim, Apollo 440, Eagles, Santana,, Black Crows

Similar Artists Collective Soul, Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, Santana, Doobie Brothers

Artist History Formed originally as an acoustic group in 1994 by grade school friends Camacho, Barr, Jim Wilson, and bassist Paul Gormley, the band was soon attracting bigger crowds, which made it necessary to break in to larger, more popular venues. The addition of long time friend and drummer Tom Cocozza, and keyboardist Deitch soon completed the lineup. Excited by the notion of life long friends collaborating for the sheer joy of creating music, the band decided to call themselves “Soul Purpose” (preferring “soul” over “sole”). This combination proved to be a potent formula indeed, setting into motion a string of successful appearances, which quickly drew the attention of fans and the interest of local music promoters. 1997 brought several changes to the lineup. An increasingly hectic gig schedule was becoming too much for Wilson and Cocozza to juggle. They were forced to bid farewell. Funk/jazz guitarist Leopold and hard-hitting drummer Wuerger replaced them. The diversity of the band’s sound was once again firmly established. In fact, all band members contribute original material to the group. It is not an overstatement to say that Soul Purpose is musically diverse - and deep, offering a refreshing mix of catchy melodies and hooks, regardless of the music’s style - alternative, reggae, blues/funk, or straight ahead rock n’ roll. Soul Purpose, however, can pull it off, and their mastery of this feat is not without recognition.In 1998, the riffy, blues/rock-styled song, “Blindside”, received “Best-Of” status by DC101, the area’s largest rock radio station, and still garners considerable air-play on the station’s “Local Licks” program. Later that year, the band received further accolades from the Song Writers Association of Washington (SAW) when three Soul Purpose tracks, “Blindside,” “The Separation,” and “Make It Come Around” won awards in the 1998 Mid-Atlantic Songwriters Contest. The end of ‘98 saw the release of the band’s prolifically packaged first CD, “Writings On The Wall,” which continues to receive rave and enthusiastic responses from the band’s ever-growing fan base. The departure of Gormley and addition of bass virtuoso Vidallon has since completed the band’s lineup.

Group Members Soul Purpose is… Al Camacho (Lead Vocals and percussion), Billy “Guitar” Barr (Guitar and vocals), Jeff Quattro "Midnight Cowboy" (Keyboards, and vocals), Chris Wuerger (Drums and vocals), Eddie Leopold (Guitar and vocals), and Randy "MVP" Vidallon (Bass and vocals).

Instruments Two Guitars (Gibson and Fender), Roland Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Mandolin (by Bruce Lev) and percussion

Albums Writings On The Wall

Press Reviews According to Dane Work, club owner and member of the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), Soul Purpose is, “the most impressive up and coming rock-n-roll band to come out of the Washington D.C. area in years.”

Additional Info SP are all members of the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA). We also have music on the WAMA/DC101 Compilation CD '97, and on Clubhouse Productions Compilation CDs

Location Washington D.C, Arlington VA. - USA

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