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Hey, how the hell are ya? I'm BLIND JOE, and yes, I really am blind. I was born in Fargo, ND on July 14th, 25 years ago. When I was three years old, my Grandpa Bob bought me my first guitar. We would sit in my basement and he would teach me the notes on his accordian. We'd sing everything from Hank Williams and Jim Croche to Merle, Waylon and Willy. When I was 6 years old, my gym teacher, Mr. A., would let me attempt to sing on stage to old Travis Tritt and Charlie Daniels songs during class. But really, who can sing when they're 6 years old? Country music was a huge part of my childhood. My parents listened to it every time we were in the car and we blared it at home on our stereo.
Then when I was 11 years old, it happened. I heard PanterA's "Cowboys From Hell" and I was hooked. I started listening to more metal as the years went on and in my search for the best metal band of all time, I found 7dust. I love the way they combine southern rock with hard core metal. Some of my other influences include Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Travis Tritt, David Allen Coe, Skynyrd, and Segar. As for the "soul" in my music, BB King, Ray Charles, and CCR are some influences. I fuckin' love the way they sound.
I grew up mainly in West Fargo and Kindred, ND. I moved to Arkansas to go to college and got my degree in Public Relations. Arkansas was definitely challenging because I was a ND boy in Little Rock for the first time. I tried to get a gig everywhere I could, but mainly I got ripped off or the door slammed in my face. Being blind, people have a very hard time believing you can do what you say you can do, but I'm determined to make them believe that music is a universal language.
While attending the school, Richard, Linda and Ed hooked me up at their local red neck bar called the Press Box. (Thanks for taking the chance on me, ya'll.) They helped me discover that I absolutely love to play live. I don't like recording 'cuz it's so impersonal. I'd rather rock live to a crowd who can feel my music than jam to a microphone in a studio, but they say you have to give in order to receive.
Eventually, I came back to Minnesota where I met my best friend, my fiance, and my manager, RikiLynn. She helped me realize that if I put my mind to it, I can do anything. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be writing music at all. She gives me the confidence I need to make these songs sound the way they do. I remember when she told me "I believe in you" and "You can do this if you really want to", and so I started singing karoke at local bars. Also, my neighbors, Fred and Junior, believed in me and gave me a lot of exposure at their shows. My boys, Bryan, Duma, Jewie, Migel, and Foster, still sling my shit to whoever they can just to get me heard. (Thanx guys, I love you). Meanwhile, RikiLynn was constantly on me about writing some original material, so I figured I better start writing 'cuz we all know how it is when your lady's not happy.
Right now, it's just me and my guitar, but I'm looking for band members who are serious about music. So if you're SERIOUS, drop me a message and I'll get back to you. (PROFESSIONAL INQUIRIES ONLY, PLEASE).
In closing, I'd like to quote a guy who frequents my shows. "Yo, Blind Joe, if they dig what you're doin', right on brotha. And if they don't, tell 'em to kiss your blind white ass". Well, I believe that music should be real. By real I don't mean marketed well, I mean in-your-face, balls-to-the-wall, from-the-heart, REAL!!! I try to put soul in every song I sing. I like to write music that I would want to hear, that I dig, songs people can relate to. My Mom and Dad think I should have a full time, 9 to 5 job. But what they don't understand is, this music IS my full time job. So, I'll keep on going and I hope when you hear it, you dig it. Thanks for the support ya'll. Can't wait to hear ya on the road. God Bless, Blind Joe
