bio

The Only Bay

NYC native Bay Melnick Virgolino, lead rock and blues guitarist/vocalist for The Only Bay, became obsessed with rock and blues at age 2, picked up his first guitar at 4, and played his first live concert the day he turned 7. At 8 yo he headlined at the legendary The Bitter End, rocked out at international festivals in 3 countries, became a Michael Kelly Guitar and Samson Tech artist, 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.

His 9th year found him taking part in a super group collab in January with artists Yoyoka Soma, Charlotte Milstein, Vinya Chhabra, Ella Milstein, and Ellen Alaverdyan, as well as performing with his band in 6 cities, including ATX during SXSW, and was honored to have been invited to play on stage with both the 15 yo phenom Taj Farrant and the legend of all legends–Buddy Guy, as well as part of the Holiday Special at The Apollo. In October 2024, Bay was honored to be named the youngest PRS Guitars Pulse Artist. He is busy at work on his first album.

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PHOTOS

VIDEOS

Quotes

Bay and his band always put in a great performance!  Very easy group to work with. 
— Paul Rizzo, Owner, The Bitter End, NYC
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 your 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.
— Tommy Burghardt, General Manager Friends Bar Austin, TX
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.
— Marion J. Caffey, Producer, Amateur Night Holiday Special at the Apollo
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.
— Lisa Schorr Co-Founder - KRFK
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.
— Mike Metz, Director, Future Legends Festival, Austin, TX
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.
— Domenic Guidotti - KRFK Come Together Festival Canada

PRESS

PAST EVENTS

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


socials & contact info