Home town listed as Dixon, California. Just a bit west of Davis.

Probably born and raised in the southern US.

"...Joe began performing in rock bands on electric guitar and an amp the size of his mom's refrigerator during his high school years. At the University of South Carolina, Joe received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Museology and Aesthetics. Tired of playing America's most popular instrument (the guitar) Joe's mandolin was an impulse buy. Upon completing his degree in 1979, Joe moved West. He played mandolin in blues and rock bands, acoustic string bands, even casino lounge acts, while writing grants, mounting exhibits, teaching and cleaning toilets at The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno. He later managed an art gallery and, after that, as a visual artist, exhibited his own work from San Francisco to Santa Fe.

A few of his own paintings now adorn the walls of Joe's Northern California home, along with a riot of colorful Indonesian and Tibetan masks, kachinas, large-brimmed hats of all kinds, historical string and percussion instruments, bookcases filled with tomes on art, eclectic CDs, old cowboy boots, pictures of his family of six at various ages, and other family memorabilia. Joe's house is a virtual museum of personal, musical and multi-cultural artifacts and a visual testament to the diversity of his creative explorations.

As an educator, Joe's clinics, workshops and school presentations on music participation have captivated audiences around the country. He's worked with students from preschool to adult in a variety of settings. He completed his first artist in residency at California State University – Chico to rave reviews and has expanded his educational outreach to museums and music camps ranging from fiddle to percussion to song school. According to Joe, 'Music is imagination, expression, therapy and living in the creative spirit. It doesn't need labels as much as it needs opportunity. Through exploration, sincerity of application, AND practice you can make music on just about anything.' And he's proven his point by playing everything from dashboards to squeeze toys to his head. 'It's great to just pick up things like an empty water jug, garden tools or your pet and discover their inherant musical qualities, as well as your own," he says. 'It's not the thing, but the process of how you connect with it that makes great music.

Don't throw it away – redefine it as a musical tool – teach it to a child – leave it as a gift.'"