Local 10-Year-Old Pretty Ricky Invited Onstage with Los Lobos at Blocktoberfest

The full moon hung brightly over the main stage in downtown Glenview Saturday night, casting a spotlight on what would become a legendary moment for a 10-year-old Chicago guitarist.

Blocktoberfest attendees were left stunned when members of the iconic band Los Lobos invited Ricardo "Pretty Ricky" Carpintero up on stage to jam with them during their final set in front of a crowd of 15,000-plus fans.

Subscribe

Wearing a black fedora and sunglasses, and carrying his RS electric guitar, the young musician stepped into the spotlight halfway through the band's main set. A stage technician had signaled for Ricky to grab his guitar case and head backstage, setting the wheels in motion for a moment his parents, Ricardo "Rick" Carpintero and Alejandrina "Nina" Garcia-Carpintero, could scarcely believe.

The couple stood against the front of the stage through four songs, waiting to see their son emerge from the backstage area.Their patience was rewarded when they spotted their son walking on stage.

Los Lobos lead guitarist David Hidalgo handed Pretty Ricky a guitar cord and said, "Show them what you got, kid." The band immediately went into the instantly recognizable electric guitar hook of "Bad Case of Loving You."

With four blocks of fans draped across Glenview Road cheering him on, Pretty Ricky knew exactly what to do. He started with a high-energy riff of the high-tempo hard-rock song, adding some electric distortion, and kept up with the fast 4/4 beat.

The crowd could not believe what they were witnessing: a 10-year-old keeping pace with Hidalgo."He seamlessly played rhythm and did not seem overwhelmed being invited on stage," said Chicago-based musician and songwriter William (Bill) Brandstrader of the groups Einstein's Brain, BachTrader, and Glenview-based Heard Immunity. "Pretty Ricky is confident and shows an early prowess for blues guitar and plays with confidence," Brandstrader added.

Sunday morning on Facebook, Pretty Ricky shared his excitement: "The feeling is still indescribable and the excitement that I felt and still feel is out of this world!!!"

After the band's last song, Pretty Ricky's mom, Nina, ran around the stage to the back to see her son talking with Los Lobos co-founder and primary drummer Louie Pérez."He is ready for prime time now—put him on a big stage," Pérez told Nina.The notable accolades didn't stop there.

Little Ricky got to speak with each band member backstage and take separate and group photos. It was quite a full moon, midnight celebration for a 10-year-old. After a group photo, Los Lobos guitarist Cesar J. Rosas, whose birthday it was, said he had never seen anyone randomly jump on stage and play like that. "He is really fast—I mean really fast," said Rosas.Pretty Ricky's mom said, "As I was walking toward the backstage area, all I wanted to see was that huge smile from my son, and I got it! He told me right away, 'Mom, I did it!' and he did!"

In the VIP area, Little Ricky told Los Lobos band members, "I could see a lot of people—fans all the way to the back to where we parked by the church.""I felt honored to be able to play with Los Lobos, it felt unreal!

The crowd's response felt so good. I love to feel the music I play and it seemed like they felt it," said Little Ricky.Dad, Rick Carpintero, said his son also plays the accordion and has been exposed to instruments since he was 18 months old. "My son first met Los Lobos on July 10, 2026, at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois. We went to see them perform and he was lucky enough to meet them backstage," said Ricky."My wife Nina saw they were going to be in Glenview on September 26th! We had no idea whether he was going to be able to get on stage or not, but Ricky is always prepared with his guitar wherever he goes.

There is nothing that makes my son happier than hopping on stage and playing his guitar," added Ricky."My heart was definitely racing when I saw my son going up the stairs to hit the stage with Los Lobos, a dream come true!" said Nina. Pretty Ricky's mom, Nina, added that he loves to play "La Bamba," one of his favorite songs that he also plays and sings. "Doesn't happen every day for a 'little 10-year-old kid' from the city with no connections."

Los Lobos played a 105-minute set on the main Church Street stage starting at 9 p.m.You can follow Little Ricky on Facebook at "Ricky Carpintero" and on Instagram and TikTok as "RICKY.C1028."Little Ricky said, "I would love to play somewhere overseas next."

For now, "Los Lobos means a lot to me because of the connection to my Mexican culture, love their songs and love their different styles of music."Pretty Ricky has written several songs and continues to write lyrics and create licks. "If I ever become a music star, I will mostly play Blues, the root of all music with a Latin spin!"

Mom Nina said, "As my son started to play, I was able to see his confidence, feel his positive energy and his joy. This is his love and he is completely fearless when it comes to music. When I heard the crowd cheering and clapping, I was even more overjoyed, it felt surreal!"

Pretty Ricky has also played the Chicago Blues Festival Next Generation of Blues stage at Millennium Park and B.B. King's Blues Club in Memphis."I also hope to be able to one day meet Carlos Santana!" said Pretty Ricky.Pretty Ricky, who lives in Chicago, is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band KNOTT US BAND, which he joined in July 2024.

"We mostly play classic Blues but can play funk, Motown, soul and R&B and some classic rock," said Pretty Ricky."Yes, this 10-year-old Latino Chi-City kid on stage with this very ICONIC, talented, famous, world-known band that I love!!!!

The feelings are still indescribable and the excitement that I felt and still feel is out of this world!!!" said Pretty Ricky as he walked west on Glenview Road at---PHOTO CAPTIONSPhoto 1: Top: Pretty Ricky playing with Los Lobos on the main stage of Blocktoberfest on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Bottom Left: Backstage with Los Lobos co-founder and primary drummer Louie Pérez. Bottom right: Pretty Ricky backstage with Los Lobos guitarist Cesar J. Rosas.