By Bianca Rae Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – Twenty minutes before a big show, you’ll find Andy Vargas in the green room doing three things: putting on all of his jewelry, using his essential oils for relaxation and calm, and then sitting down to call his three kids and say goodnight.
“I think I just connect to kids. There are a lot of kids that don’t have direction or mentors and need inspiration. That’s my goal,” said Vargas.
Vargas has been the lead singer for legendary rock band Santana for the last 20 years. When he’s not with the band selling out arenas across the globe or performing at their current residency in Las Vegas, he’s performing Latin soul songs with his own band, Souleros, at local spots all over L.A.
Music is clearly his life, and always has been.
“It was my outlet as a child and it still is. Music will always be there for you, that’s why it’s so important for me to be able to pass it on,” he said.
He does that through his own non-profit, the Andy Vargas Foundation. He started it four years ago to mentor underserved kids who strive for a career in the music industry, with friends and bandmates of his helping as well.
