Dust Bowl

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Dust Bowl" by Joe Bonamassa from his 2011 album of the same name, firing up the Zoo Freaks with its gritty blues-rock vibe. One wild story about the song comes from producer Kevin Shirley, who shared in a Joe Bonamassa newsletter that the recording process was a bit of a whirlwind. The band, including drummer Anton Fig, laid down the track in Greece with a raw, Tom Petty-esque feel, driven by a steady kick drum. Shirley had Bonamassa loop a slide solo to echo a soulful moment from an earlier album, pouring his heart into it. To cap it off, they added a spoken-word outro by Peter Van Weelden, a Dutch amp builder who happened to be servicing Bonamassa’s gear—his voice fit the song’s dusty, cinematic vibe perfectly. Shirley also mixed the track multiple times, but the rough mix from Greece won out for its raw energy, as confirmed by Bonamassa’s manager Roy Weisman and mastering engineer George Marino.

Another tidbit about "Dust Bowl" is its evocative imagery, which fans on the Joe Bonamassa Forum have praised for its storytelling. The lyrics paint a picture of struggle and resilience, with lines like “Lifting me up, tearing me down, all you give me is indecision, the classic run-around.” Fans have noted the song’s riff sticks with you, and its live performances, like the one captured at Beacon Theatre, bring an electrifying energy that matches the studio version’s intensity. The album itself blends blues, rock, and even Spanish influences, with Bonamassa’s signature Les Paul guitar panned to the right in the mix, creating a rich, layered sound that Zoo Freaks are surely digging.

Joe Bonamassa, born Joseph Leonard Bonamassa on May 8, 1977, in New Hartford, New York, kicked off his musical journey at an age when most kids are still learning to tie their shoes. Growing up in Utica, New York, of Italian descent, he started playing guitar at four, nudged along by his dad, a music buff who spun British blues-rock records by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. These sounds lit a fire in young Joe, shaping his style more than American blues acts. By eleven, he was mentored by guitarist Danny Gatton, and at twelve, he fronted his own band, Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa, gigging around western New York and Pennsylvania on weekends while juggling school. His big break came at twelve when he opened for blues legend B.B. King, setting the stage for a career that’s since racked up fifteen solo albums, eleven of which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart.

Bonamassa’s official website, jbonamassa.com, is the go-to spot for the latest on his tours, albums, and gear obsession—he’s got a legendary collection of vintage guitars and amps. You can catch him on social media, though he’s scaled back since 2022 after a spat over a hairline jab led him to ditch personal posting. Check out his Facebook page, with over 3.4 million likes, for updates (now managed by his team), or follow his Instagram for killer guitar pics and show highlights. His X account shares tour news and bluesy vibes, though he’s less active personally. Fans gather at the Joe Bonamassa Forum to geek out over his music, gear, and shows, while bonamassalive.com offers fan-driven news and tour updates. The Joe Bonamassa Fans Facebook group is another hotspot where Zoo Freaks can join fellow devotees to swap stories and celebrate the blues-rock titan.