Principato was born in Washington, D.C., and was initially inspired by the music of
Roy Buchanan,
Chet Atkins, and
Danny Gatton. Principato led the band Powerhouse in the late 1970s, which released
Night Life to some acclaim. He joined
Geoff Muldaur on tour in 1980, and recorded an album, ''I Ain't Drunk'', as part of the ensemble known as Geoff Muldaur and His Bad Feet. The latter recording earned Principato his first Washington Area Music Awards (Wammys). By the mid-1980s, Principato commenced his solo career, recording the live album,
Blazing Telecasters, with Danny Gatton. It was eventually released in 1990 and considered for a
Grammy Award nomination. In 1988, Principato appeared at the
Notodden Blues Festival. Since then Principato has recorded a string of solo albums, which have seen him accompanied by an ever changing backing ensemble. These include ''Smokin'
(1985), I Know What You're Thinkin'...
(1989), In Orbit
(1991), Tip of the Iceberg
(1992), In the Clouds
(1995), and Really Blue'' (1998). In July 2011, he and his band performed at the
Montreux Jazz Festival. His album,
Robert Johnson Told Me So, was launched at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on November 16, 2013.
Bibliography In 2000, Principato's book,
Open-String Guitar Chords, was published by the
Hal Leonard Corporation (). In 2020, Principato's book of memoirs
They Tell Me I Had A Good Time was published by Powerhouse Records ().
Awards and endorsements Principato has earned twenty Washington Area Music Awards (Wammys). Since the 1990s, Principato has had endorsement deals with
Fender,
Seymour Duncan pick ups, Curt Mangan strings, and
Roger Mayer guitar effects pedals.
Present day Currently living in
Falls Church, Virginia, he regularly tours across North America plus Europe, and continues to self-release records. ==Discography==