New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) 'Rock and Roll Joe' is an interactive multimedia project spearheaded by legendary Americana singer/songwriter Chip Taylor and friends dedicated to promoting the unsung heroes and underdogs of rock music - the people who were, and still are, critical to the spirit, passion, and vitality of rock and roll, but have never received the credit and recognition they rightfully deserve.
The spark for 'Rock and Roll Joe' was lit during Taylor's 2007 Scandinavian tour, as he traveled through Norway and Sweden with longtime friend and guitarist John Platania, new protege fiddler Kendel Carson, drummer Bryan Owings and bass player Ron Eoff. Many conversations on the tour revolved around musicians that they knew and respected, and Taylor soon realized that most music fans don't really know the key people behind so many of the great records of the last half century.
With that in mind, Taylor wrote a song, "Rock and Roll Joe," which inspired several more, with everyone in the band excitedly suggesting other "Rock and Roll Joes" in need of the spotlight. At the end of the tour, back in London, the band promptly laid down some demos, and shortly thereafter, the 'Rock and Roll Joe' album came to fruition back in the states.
The album, due May 31 on Train Wreck Records, is just the beginning of the 'Rock and Roll Joe' project, however. Prior to the release of the CD, Taylor and Train Wreck will launch a web site -- https://www.rockandrolljoe.com -- on April 25 (currently in beta) that will promote, honor and solicit stories from readers about the unsung heroes of rock music. In addition to profiling under-appreciated musicians and session players, the site will also highlight the songwriters, producers and behind-the-scenes people who helped shape the music and records we love to this day. So far, the site boasts contributions from Bill Frisell, and profiles on Nashville studio guitarist Hank Garland by John Platania, and Muscle Shoals pioneer Hollis Dixon by Donnie Fritts, longtime keyboard player for Kris Kristofferson.
The 'Rock and Roll Joe' web site will honor these players while also being a place where music lovers convene to discuss the present and history of rock, and listening to great music. Taylor has already begun soliciting entries from his fellow artists and friends in the music business to help get the ball rolling.
Chip Taylor is a beloved singer/songwriter and Americana icon who has released 20 records in his storied career, and penned such classic hits as "Wild Thing" popularized by The Troggs in 1966, and "Angel of the Morning" among many other famous songs. Taylor, guitarist John Platania and fiddler Kendel Carson will be on hand at SXSW with performances on Thursday and Saturday.
