Bill Mallonee (born 1 January 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, most notably the songwriter and leader of Vigilantes of Love (sometimes stylized V.O.L.), an Americana, alt-country, rock band from Athens, Georgia.
Early life
Mallonee was born in Martinsville, Virginia, and grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was raised Roman Catholic. The band experienced controversy in the Contemporary Christian music (CCM) market for the song "Love Cocoon." The song, which described marital sex, led to the band's album Slow Dark Train being dropped by some Christian bookstores.
Songwriting influences and process
Mallonee has cited Woody Guthrie and Jack Kerouac as influences on his songwriting.