 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Born October 11, 1959 in Fairfield, Connecticut. High School : Andrew Warde HS, Fairfield, CT. USMC : 1977-1983 (Joe finished HS while in the Marines) Califorinia : Cerrittos College (Business/Computer Science) Ironworker Apprenticeship School (Known as Joe Dirt) Journeyman Ironworker status Jan. 1991 with local 433 LA. At 5 years old, Joe would go with our Mother to a diner where they would wait to pick me (sister) up from school. Joe would go over to the jukebox, play songs and if they were fast, he would dance. I remember people throwing coins at his feet. The funny part about this is, he would stop dancing grab the coins and push more buttons on the jukebox and start dancing again. When Joe was 7 years old, I remember our Mother driving down the street with my brother and I in the back seat. There was no radio on but Joe just started singing. "Give me a ticket for an airplane, ain't got time to take a fast drink, lonely days are gone, I'm a going home.. I forget the name of that song but our Mother was so shocked she stopped the car and asked where did you learn that? As a teenager, Joe listened to Rock by such legends as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent, just to name a few. And boy did he love Pink Floyd and ELP. While at home, his Mother had always played Country music where Joe was forced to listen to it day in and day out (as he puts it). After High School, Joe joined the USMC in 1977 where he served his Country for 6 years after Boot Camp on Parris Island, SC. He was Honorably discharged at the rank of Sgt.(E5)in 1983. Joe was in STA for 3 years with a primary MOS of 0311 (rifleman) and a secondary of 8541 (Scout Sniper) Joe's STA Platoon gave each other nicknames. Joe's nick was BC. The platoon called him that because he was Bad Company, always stirring up something or another. Joe even has a tattoo on the left side of his chest that reads "Go For It!" with that lil devil Hot Stuff from the comic books. During a tour overseas on Okinawa, and on NCO duty, Joe heard a fellow Marine buddy playing Hank Williams as Joe was making his rounds through the squad bays. After making rounds, Joe came back and told his buddy he heard someone playing Hank Williams and that it was funny that he did not remember Hank sounding that good when younger. Jester (Joe's platoon buddy) began to tell Joe everything he knew about Hank Williams. Joe decided to listen to more of Hank and on another night, was listening to some borrowed music of John Conlee by another Marine buddy (a Navajo Indian from Arizona named Yazzi. After hearing John Conlee, Joe found that Country music was now the music he preferred to listen to. Joe began to sing along, mimic and even sang in the squad bay with fellow Marines that were into music in general. Sitting around with a guitar and or boom box was the best time passage a military man could find in Joe's opinion while overseas. After returning Stateside, still listening and singing John Conlee songs, Joe discovered Don Williams and George Jones. It was then and there that Joe knew his calling. Now Joe had 4 people to study music from. Hank Williams, John Conlee, George Jones and his all time favorite and still his biggest inspiration, Don Williams. Joe says, You betcha, The Gentle Giant is PICK! (what ever that means) As Joe practiced, he spent time listening to other Country Artists and began to love Country music more and more. 1 day, Joe heard Keith Whitley on the radio 93.9 KZLA. Joe had become a huge fan of Keith. Studying Keith day after day. When Joe heard that Keith had passed away, he was devastated and lost his spark to sing. But soon after, Joe was brought back to life when Randy Travis hit the scene. He also listened, loved and studied Tracy Chapman. If you listen closely, you can hear all the influences throughout Joe's voice, not 1 song has the same monotone. Then came Garth! I remember Joe spending hours learning Garth Brooks songs and how much he wanted to meet Garth. Joe has said that Garth Brooks can make a come back anytime Garth wants to. Joe has even written and has been saving a song for Garth to record. You will not hear this song on the CD because Joe is saving it for Garth to record someday. I don't know why, Oh well, to each his own I guess. Joe had decided, OK, I can carry a tune but technically I have no clue what I am doing. Joe spent his next 4 years with a Vocal Instructor, Ate' Rojas. Also during this time, Joe started writing more songs and would have Ate' define his voice for them. Joe now could understand what his voice was doing and could call on things his voice would do on it's own, but now at will. After recording the Two Hearts tracks in Bakersfield, CA I remember Joe came home to Connecticut for a 4th of July party. We were doing the fireworks thing when police cars pulled up to halt our fun. I told the police that my brother was home for the 4th after recording for a CD and we were just having some fun. The police turned to Joe and said, "The only way everyone gets off the hook is if you sing, right here, right now" and it sounded like they were thinking, ya right, sure he sings. Joe sang American Trilogy with no music. The cops were in awe, shook Joe's hand and said, "off the hook big time!" Here is where I'll tell you a secret about Joe. He is pretty much half deaf. He has no high frequency hearing. He seems to sing by emotions and feelings. Which amazes people he has sung for after they see him wearing a left and right hearing aid(s). I found out these hearing aids have a compression plate Joe had added for the purpose of music. Should sound reach a certain decibel that could harm his hearing further, the hearing aid will automatically shut off and come back on after the high decibel has passed. Oh and he is good at playing deaf, like he does not hear you, or says batteries low, but don't let that fool you, he hears every word. (OK, most of the time) To date, Joe wakes everyday with how much he would just like to get his music to people no matter who records the songs. His goal is to be recognized as a Songwriter more than anything but we all say he should sing. Hi, I am Cher, Joe's sister and I write this while Joe works on getting the CD ready for print, packaged and shipped. We do hope you enjoy Joe's music as much as we do here at home in Connecticut. My Children and I wish for good things to happen to Joe and that's not based on a biased opinion. Check out the artist's website: http://mysite.verizon.net/dretchen/JR/jr.asp Track List: 1. Two Hearts 2. I'm Gonna Love You 3. Why 4. Baby Can I Hold You 5. Forever 6. Half As Much 7. You're All My Sight 8. Another Time Another Place 9. Foolish Hearts 10. Love Me Tonight Other Genres:
|