New single - Now Streaming

Friday Morning Lullaby (2023)

Bill Rotella

If you've ever had to weather a sleepless night, or assist someone with theirs, you will be able to relate to Friday Morning Lullaby. 🌙 Hope you like it!

Latest Album - Home (2022)

Home (2022)

Bill Rotella

I was getting ready to share 9 new songs on a new album tentatively titled "XV", it being my 15th album. Then a drawing by my young granddaughter led to a 10th song and a new album title, “Home”. This album has a few new flavors with its horns, Hawaiian guitars and touch of salsa along side my usual picking and strumming.

Do Me Good (2022)

Bill Rotella

Hey Friends, summer is on the doorstep! I remember being in the backyard hanging by the cement pond hearing my dad blow his horns from the studio attached to the garage. Especially that baritone sax. Those were good days. So, I went back again to write this song. Come on and "hop in the seat, roll down the window and turn up the radio". Hope this helps open the door to your great summer.

Forever Seventeen (2022)

Bill Rotella

Dedicated to all the great high school girlfriends we guys were fortunate to have had. It seems we never forget the firsts. Our first ball game, the first album we bought, first girlfriend, first love, and… the first one that got away. Some things, and some people, we never forget. "They’re tucked inside our memories. There were no guarantees but you and I will be forever seventeen."

Listen (2022)

Bill Rotella

My great and groovy engineer Kevin Fisher and I had a good time cooking up this new song that started on my ukulele then somehow ended up in a Latin blender.

Bill Rotella

Bill Rotella, aka Smoke, is a singer-songwriter from Ventura County, California. His musical journey began when he was exposed to exceptional musical talent within his own family, including his father's songs sung by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, his mother's classical piano, and his uncle's arrangements for the Glenn Miller Band. Inspired by these great musicians, Bill picked up a guitar in college and began writing his own music. With four bands and 14 albums under his belt, Bill recently released his 15th album, 'Home', featuring a collection of 10 diverse songs.

Born in the San Fernando Valley, Bill was drawn to the sounds and lyrics of post-Dylan folk music, and his first band, Baywood, became popular playing in colleges and clubs. Later, he formed Dakota, a band he wrote for and led for 20 years, performing over 100 shows annually. As a singer-songwriter in an ensemble, Bill began to feel restricted and formed the duo Amber & Smoke, releasing six albums in six years.

In 2021, Bill put together an ensemble of friends and non-touring musicians for his release 'Smoke & The Earthtones', which received great reviews. The following year, he returned to his troubadour roots, performing solo with just his guitar. His latest release 'Home' reflects a singer-songwriter's life journey, featuring a diverse collection of songs that depart from his previous work. For Bill, it's all about musical diversity and different times bringing different rhymes.

Smoke & The Earthtones (2021)

Smoke & The Earthtones (2021)

Bill Rotella

"Smoke & The Earthtones" is Bill Rotella's 14th studio album. Written and recorded during quarantine 2020, this album contains 11 new songs and a bonus track written by Bill's father and recorded by Slim Whitman in 1960. Grounded from cancelled tours, The Earthtones recorded in the round and really captured the feel and sound of the '70's. Also available on vinyl.


"Bill Rotella combines lyrical prowess with slick guitars and solid grooves on Smoke & The Earthtones. A good retro listen."
RC Media


"Smoke & The Earthtones delivers the vintage sound of cool California Rock."
Pam Baumgardner - VenturaRocks.com


"'The Other Side' single is blistering. This is socio-political fisticuffswith the soulful power of Jackson Browne and Bruce Cockburn"
Harry Watters - Wavelength LA


"Americana fans will appreciate this artist."
Music Connection

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