I have been playing my guitar and singing most of my life, as either a
soloist or as the front man in a band. I knew at a very early age that
I could play any instrument and that I could pretty much play any song
after only hearing it once. I feel blessed with this gift of being so
musically inclined. I always knew I could sing. I can remember
listening over and over to Fats Domino's "My Blue Heaven" on my mom's
record player when I was two or three years old in New Jersey. That
particular song had a great impact on my life. The way I felt hearing
that song made me want to give that feeling to others. I dedicated my
life to that goal. I grew up making music whenever and wherever I could
with whatever instrument was at hand. I started writing songs.
When
I heard The Beatles, I was in the 8th grade. I knew instantly how good
they were and immediately started playing their songs. I love The
Beatles and could always imitate them.
I
continued writing
songs and putting bands together and performing regularly through out
my high school years. I attended college on Maui, Hawaii for two years
and moved back to the New Jersey. Moved to Florida, where I met my wife
Mary and then to California, where our three children were born. In Los
Angeles I had the distinct honor of playing at the first Beatlefest
with my first Beatles band, Blue Jay Way. Then came Beatlemania and
Beatlefever, where I portrayed Paul McCartney for several years touring
extensively, culminating with performances in the main showrooms in Las
Vegas. I felt that I was compromising my own creativity. I threatened
to quit many times but the money and attention was too great.
I wrote
and recorded my own songs when I could find the time. One single (45) on Gibraltar Records
"Alone With You" got international airplay and has been playing in Japan, France, Germany, Russia and other countries. Here's a review in Music Connection magazine
While on
the road, I missed my wife and children. Finally, after turning down a
trip to Japan and New Zealand, we moved to New Jersey and then to Ohio
to be closer to family,
raising our children.
I write and record my own songs in my home studio and perform regularly as a soloist or with my band.
"I didn't choose music, music chose me!" (Joe Stone)