San Francisco-based Americana artist is a self-taught
guitar virtuoso and skilled songwriter. In addition to
complex finger-picking styles akin to Leo Kottke and
Paul Simon, Volpe's lyrics are nothing short of poetry.
Witness an excerpt from "1849 Revisited", which is a
Shakespearian-style sonnet put to music : "For all
along the river banks there lives/A residue collected in
the weeds/It smells of tasteless regret: a faint glimpse/Of
hearts that sold the life they own to lease". Volpe has
also taught himself to play piano, banjo, bass and drums,
among other instruments.

Through his songs, Volpe tells haunting tales of
American experiences--from giving up everything and
everyone you know to move to New York City in "Jersey
Sun", to feeling lost in this vast country in "Refugee
Blues", the title track to Volpe's recently released self-
published CD. All 15 songs were recorded live in one
take--a stellarrecording feat--which only adds credence
to Volpe's innate musical abilities. He won the studio time
to record the CD when he was awarded "best song" at the
West Coast Songwriting Association's (WCSA) contest
in 2004.

Volpe's top-quality songwriting and performing have also
garnered him numerous awards in international songwriting
contests. For instance, "Refugee Blues" was selected Best
Album/Folk-Singer-Songwriter in the 2006 Independent Music
Awards, judged by Norah Jones, Melissa Etheridge, and Bill
Wyman, among others (see all awards below). Volpe was also
selected as a featured independent artist on National Public
Radio's "Open Mic", and has opened for a number of national
touring artists. Other venues played include Hotel Utah (San
Francisco), the legendary CBGB's (NYC), Arlene's Grocery
(NYC), Galaxy Hut (Arlington, VA), the Herndon Festival
featuring Suzanne Vega (Herndon,VA), and the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame, where he and his former band earned first
place in the Battle of the Bands (2001).

Awards

International Winner--Independent Music Awards
Best Album of 2006/Singer-Songwriter : Refugee Blues

International Winner--We Are Listening, London
Best Singer-Songwriter 2006

International Finalist--John Lennon Songwriting Contest
2006 : "Where the Rubber Meets the Road"

International Finalist--USA Songwriters Contest
Honorable Mention Award
2006 : "Shoes"

Best Song--West Coast Songwriters Association
October, 2004 (Live Performance) : "Shoes"

Honorable Mention--John Lennon Songwriting Contest
2001 : "I Found My Jane"

Honorable Mention--Billboard Song Contest
2001 : "I Found My Jane"

1st Place--Battle of the Bands (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
January, 2001 (Live Performance)