He’s the lead singer of the band. He’s also the drummer. And the guitarist. And the harmonicist. Is that even possible?
Yes, it is. He’s a one-man band.
Bandaloni has been touring the country as a solo act for over two decades. He has appeared at several state fairs, corporate events, and professional sporting events for the NFL, NBA and NHL. His do-it-all ability has made him a unique talent in the music industry.
“I’ve always treated it like a business as well as something that’s fun and something that everyone enjoys,” said one-man band member Paul David. “Brings a little joy into the world.”
Growing up in Ontario, Canada, David always had a passion for music, despite being the only one of five siblings to not receive music lessons.
He held that passion throughout high school, while selling stereos with his art school teacher’s husband, and college, where he attended the University of Windsor to study art and culture.
When David was in his 30s, his new neighbor at the time from Japan was making a stable living as a one-man band. David bookmarked that idea for a year, then took action on it after quitting the band he was in a year later.
“I thought to myself, ‘Heck, I can probably do that.’ So I did,” David said. “I built this thing and went out. I call it intuition.”
He composed a contraption that complements all that a one-man band needs: a few holders in front of his mouth for different microphones and a harmonica and a drum set with strings that attach to the back of his shoes so he can drum while he walks. Even with all that on his back, he plays an electric guitar to round it out.
After some time, David started gaining momentum as a one-man band. He commonly goes to state fairs all across the country: New York, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and the San Diego County Fair. He even made an appearance on the first-ever season of “America’s Got Talent.”
Now 26 years in, David has become an unforgettable figure among the public, specifically in Iowa. He’s appeared at the Iowa State Fair for nearly two decades, drawing a crowd of fairgoers by the hundreds right by the Pepsi clock.
“I would call it more joy than fun,” he said. “And I would say joy because, looking at the expression on people’s faces, especially children, seeing their wide-eyed looks of amazement and smiles, it’s actually a symbiotic relationship. I get as much from the crowd as perhaps they get from me. It’s a beautiful thing.”
At 62 years old, David doesn’t have a set date to when he’ll put his instrumental contraption down. But for as long as he’s playing, he’s got one spot he always loves appearing at.
“I can sincerely answer that without any hesitation, and say that the Iowa State Fair not only is my favorite fair, it’s the best fair in this country,” he said. “It truly is. And I’m not just blowing smoke here. It has remarkable traditions here that are kept alive that you’ll never see anywhere.”
Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@gannett.com or on X @chris_meglio.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet Bandaloni, the one-man band that has become an Iowa State Fair treasure
Reporting by Chris Meglio, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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