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MIKE BOTELLO
(click any album to listen)One of the more recent artists to walk the line of innovative style in concert with creativity, Mike Botello has reached new heights that not only touch your inner being through compelling lyrics and intriguing interludes, but also has completed new insights through song and harmony. In no way has an artist reached out in a manner such as this with many positive reactions along with a dedicated fan base through out. Since humble beginnings with his father to his 1st release in 1990 (Awake “Spiritual Warfare”) and to his most recent to date, Mike has developed a fan base from Europe to the U.S. with more joining in as the days go buy.
Since the tender ages of 3-8 years of age Mike began playing the drums at his parents home in Austin, TX playing to records of bands like Kiss to Queen, Rush and Heart just to name a few. As the year’s progressed Mike's father, Jesse Botello, who is an accomplished musician in the “Tejano” music scene and was very active in live performances at the time, began inviting Mike to sit in with his group. This eventually led to Mike forming his first band by age 14. Soon after, Mike began playing drums with the locally popular heavy metal group Assalant in the mid to late 80's. Assalant consistently filled clubs and venues which led to the release of a three song demo titled, "The Damage is Done" which to this day is in current circulation throughout Europe and the U.S. With this experience behind him, this led to a deeper interest in recording and production.
As a young adult, Mike began writing songs of many types, which led Mike to working with many solo artists, song writers, and various church/worship groups. Since than Mike has been involved with dozens of bands along with many recording projects in Christian Contemporary, Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz and Worship. Now, Mike is focused as a solo artist with four releases under His belt. Mike's band, a three piece, consists of a drummer a lead guitarist with Mike playing the bass, keyboards and lead vocals.
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AWAKE
(click album to listen)In the fall of 1988 Mike Botello set out on a solo project that prompted the search of a quality skilled lead guitarist. In this process, Botello ran into long time acquaintance Jesse Villegas. After meeting with Villegas, the pair found themselves working together and completed Botello’s first solo “demo” project.
Soon after, Botello was accepted in the SxSW music conference in Austin, TX in the spring of 1989, which led to finding drummer Robert Moreno a.k.a. Rob Battalion and a string of bass players. With a temporary bassist and little rehearsal time plus some sound issues, the showcase was short of being a success. With the future of the project on the line and no permanent bassist, Botello & Villegas began writing together.
With Botello on the bass the two decided to move from a solo project to a band effort. Thus, Awake was formed. With the collaborative efforts between Villegas/Botello and now with Rob Battalion in full force, the trio began preparing toward their first full length Album titled ”Spiritual Warfare”.
During the summer of 89 thru the spring of 90 Awake achieved much success in local and regional venues with their intricate and progressive style not commonly found with your typical standard rock band of the time. Very quickly the group found themselves as an opening act for various groups such as Vengeance Rising, Paradox, Deliverance, Kings X, and more just to name a few. But as quickly as things progressed Awake found themselves parting ways at the eve of their debut release. With the band no longer together their album “Spiritual Warfare” like the group, achieved quick success with demands for a follow up release and shows that could not be fulfilled.
A year later, Botello & Villegas tried to revise Awake in 1991 with drummer John Pace but with no success. Although Awake was not able to continue as a band, the now classic 1990 debut release of “Spiritual Warfare” lives on through the digitally re-mastered re-release on compact disc. The CD offers a bonus track of a late 92 rehearsal with drummer John Pace along with the original demo recorded version of “See Me Now” with Mike Botello on drums and on rhythm electric/acoustic guitar ending with the sounds of the very last Awake concert. The Awake era: 1988-1990,1991-92.
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JESSEE BOTELLO
Jesse Botello was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. He expressed an interest in music at a very early age. At age 11, his grandmother bought him a student alto saxophone. Jesse joined his school band and immediately started studying music. He loved playing his saxophone and practiced a minimum of one hour every day, including Sundays. At times, he would practice up to four hours on Saturdays and Sundays. By the time he was 14 years old, he and other friends, formed a small band. They played at school events, talent shows, house parties (no pay, only cake and punch). As they became known, they were invited to perform by students at parties and by different schools in Corpus Christi. Eventually, an established band in Corpus Christi sought Jesse out. At age 15, he was playing local venues and traveling on weekends to towns in South Texas, West Texas, and East Texas. He managed to keep up with his school studies and school band music. He completed his first recording by age 16. By now, he was already supporting himself financially. Besides playing with the band he was a member of, he got offers to play “one niters” with other bands. By age 17, Jesse had acquired experience-playing styles such as rock-n-roll, orchestra, and conjunto (a.k.a. Tejano) music. Due to a sudden overload of work and other offers, Jesse had to eventually quit the school band a few months into his senior year in High School.
Two months before graduation, Jesse received a surprise call from a very famous “conjunto” artist, (Tony De La Rosa), known nationally by the Hispanic community. This artist already had hit songs on radio all over the country. Jesse was asked if he would be interested in joining his band. Of course, Jesse's answer was yes. However, Jesse explained that he would not be able to travel far until he graduated from high school in May. Immediately upon graduation, he began rehearsing with the band. After rehearsing a full week, Monday through Friday, from around 9:30am to 3:00pm, it was into the studio to record an album. After completing the recording session, it was off on a three-month tour around the country. Jesse was with the group for two years.
Jesse had decided to join the Air Force. Soon after basic training and technical school, he was assigned to the Philippine Islands in the South Pacific. After having his sax shipped to him, there he hooked up with other musicians and began playing at venues such as the NCO Club, Airmen's Club, Officer's Club, and the Teen Club. One night, after playing at the NCO Club, a Philippines movie producer approached the band and asked if they would be interested in having a part in a movie being filmed in Manila. After receiving permission from the base commander, they were on their way to Manila.
Upon Jesse's return to the States, his next duty assignment was in Austin, Texas. He joined a rhythm and blues band. One night, while playing at a club, he was asked if he would be interested in playing with a group on a cruise ship. Jesse had to decline since he was still in the Air Force. He later played with several different groups, e.g., blues, country, big band sound, orchestra, Tejano, and conjunto.
Currently after many recordings and countless experience with several groups as an opening act for artist’s such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sonny and Cher, Little Joe, Sunny and the Sun liners, just to name a few, along with many others, Jesse has completed numerous recordings with various groups and artist’s along with some solo releases. In addition to playing with the Praise and Worship team at his church, Jesse also has his own group playing venues across the central Texas region.
