bio
Viral NYC native Bay Melnick Virgolino, lead rock and blues guitarist/vocalist for The Only Bay Allstars, became obsessed with rock ‘n’ roll at age 2, took his first guitar lesson at 4, and played his first live concert the day he turned 7 yo.
By 8 yo Bay received his first endorsement, headlined at the legendary The Bitter End, rocked out at international festivals in three countries, and was featured by WNYC for his philanthropic work with Kids Rock for Kids, performing to raise money for children in need at home and abroad.
Already deep into the blues, at 9 yo Bay’s intuitive guitar skills enabled him to perform with both the 15-year-old phenom Taj Farrant in NYC, but again in Milwaukee with the legend of all legends—Buddy Guy. As videos of Bay began to go viral, he continued his love for performing live, across 8 cities and 3 countries, playing on iconic stages like The Apollo Theater, being featured on Norms Rare Guitars, and becoming the youngest PRS Guitars Pulse Artist.
With a vast spectrum of influences from Slash, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marcus King, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, and Lenny Kravitz, to his mentor, Grammy award-winning solo artist and ex-Megadeth Guitarist, Kiko Loureiro, Bay Melnick Virgolino continues to press forward to new heights.
His striking single, The Mines, released in the summer of 2025, when he was 10 yo, was a testament to the diverse well he draws from to create music that is wholly unique and haunting. Bay has been featured on ABC News Live and Good Day New York, made it to the semifinals on Season 20 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and videos of his performances have amassed over 100 million views. In addition to endorsements by Ernie Ball & Neural DSP, Bay made history as the youngest Official Artist for PRS Guitars.
Just after turning 11 yo, Bay was honored to trade solos with guitar idols Joe Bonamassa and Slash for the famed SOHO Sessions in NYC. With 2 new songs set to be released in April, Bay is hard at work on his first full album.
PHOTOS
Photo by M.A. Melnick
Photo by David Doobinin
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Kim Mancuso
Photo by Peter Teoh
Photo by Peter Teoh
Photo by Peter Teoh
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by America's Got Talent
Photo by Kate Frese
Photo by Kate Frese
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by M.A. Melnick
Photo by M.A. Melnick
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by M.A. Melnick
Photo by Marshall
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by M.A. Melnick
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Bob Bagga
Photo by Keith Kelly
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Felix Gerzon
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by John Virgolino
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by Greg Kessler
Photo by M.A. Melnick
VIDEOS
Quotes
“Bay and his band always put in a great performance! Very easy group to work with. ”
“This 9 yo gets on stage and first you think, okay he’s just a guitar prodigy and then you watch him actually leading a band of musicians twice his age like an old pro, then he starts to sing, then to jam and you’re trying to make sense of what you’re seeing, you’re looking around going, where did this kid come from?
We have 1000 blues shows a year at our bar, it is not often to be so impressed... And by a 9 year old.”
“Watching you catch fire on stage is what I live for in an artist! Even seconds before there were sound issues and a show delay. When you came out you remained a true professional and were immediately possessed by the music and stage.”
“Bay is a dream to work with. He’s a crowd pleaser—a gifted guitarist with an incredible stage presence and a warm, magnetic personality—who is always prepared, whether performing with his amazing band or as part of a collaboration with musicians from other cities. A consummate professional, he’s been as ready to rock in NYC as he’s been in LA, London, and Canada. It’s always a genuine pleasure to have him perform for us.”
“I recommend The Only Bay as an addition to any festival lineup without reservation. Bay’s infectious energy and enthusiasm as a not only a performer, but also supporter of others is a model for performers many times his age. One of our staff members was impressed that Bay was rocking out right in front of the stage during another performer’s set before I informed him that Bay was not only one of our performers, but the band leader and showman in his own right. He went from impressed to amazed when he saw it for himself, along with our patrons.”
“I don’t think I need to explain to anyone, who has seen or heard him play, of his phenomenal skill with a guitar. I was not prepared for Bay’s incredible musicianship, dedication and leadership in not only fronting his own band, but in bringing together a successful global collaboration band with only a couple of days to rehearse.”
“We loved having The Only Bay Allstars perform at the Queens Night Market! The crowd was on their feet rocking out with Bay the whole time. The entire band are pros through and through. Hope to have them back very soon!”
PRESS
PAST EVENTS
Hunters Point Park South
Long Island City, NY
Summertime Performing Arts Series
June 2025
The Bitter End
NYC
Kids Rock For Kids + NoteWorthy: Fundraiser for Teen Mental Health
June 2025
5th Avernue
Brooklyn
5th Avenue Fair
May 2025
Flushing Meadow Park
Queens
Queens Night Market
April 2025
Brothers Guitar Shop
NYC
Sounds of the City Shop Edition
April 2025
The Bitter End
NYC
KRFK Benefit Concert For Those Affected By The LA Wildfires
March 2025
Friends Bar
Austin, TX
The Only Bay and Nico Little and The North Americans
March 2025
NAMM
Annaheim, CA
Marshall Amps Stage
January 2025
The Bitter End
NYC
The Only Bay Allstars
January 2025
The Apollo
NYC
Annual Holiday Special
December 2024
The Bitter End
NYC
KRFK - Next Next Gen
December 2024
Triad Theater
NYC
Inspired Word NYC
November 2024
Atlantic Antic
Brooklyn
Fair
October 2022
1stLiveUS
Brooklyn
The Only Bay Allstars
September 2024
Riverside Theater
Milwaukee, WI
Guest Appearance with Buddy Guy
August 2024
Espresso77
Queens
The Only Bay Allstars
July 2024
Biltmore Theater
Oshawa, ON
Come Together Festival, Canada
June 2024
Barclay Center/Finni's Outdoor Stage
Brooklyn
Make Music New York
June 2024
DROM
NYC
Come Together Festival
June 2024
City Winery
NYC
Guest Appearance with Taj Farrant
June 2024
5th Ave Fair
Brooklyn
Fair
May 2024
The Bitter End
NYC
The Only Bay Allstars
March 2024
Friends Bar
Austin, TX
Featured Guest w/ Nico & The North Americans
March 2024
The Water Tank
Austin, TX
Future Legends Rock Festival
March 2024
Meridian
Buda, TX
The Only Bay Allstars
March 2024
Pike Bar
Los Angeles, CA
The Only Bay Allstars
January 2024
Flatbush Frolic
Brooklyn
Fair
October 2023
Atlantic Antic
Brooklyn
Fair
October 2023
The Bitter End
NYC
KRFK - Across The Continent Show
September 2023
Heatham House
Twickenham, UK
Come Together Festival UK
June 2023
229
London, UK
Come Together Festival UK
June 2023
The Bitter End
NYC
Come Together Festival
June 2023
DROM
NYC
Come Together Festival
June 2023
5th Ave Fair
Brooklyn
Fair
May 2023
The Bitter End
NYC
The Only Bay Allstars
April 2023
Biltmore Theater
Oshawa, ON
Come Together Festival CA
March 2023
The Bitter End
NYC
Showcase
January 2023
The Bitter End
NYC
Showcase
November 2022
Atlantic Antic
Brooklyn
Fair
October 2022
Court Square Block Party
Queens
The Only Bay
June 2022
Hunters Point South
Queens
The Only Bay Allstars
January 2022