Dear John, I've only known Joe Kopicki for about a year but it didn't take long to strike up a friendship. Joe and his band The Hostile Witnesses have been gigging steady and it's apparent audiences like what they hear. Joe is our solo/duo category at the IBC in January. If you see anywhere he's going to play, either band or solo, you won't be disappointed. Our friends Cros, will again represent PBS and the world in the band category at the IBC. Cros made it into the finals at this year's event and plan to bring it all home in January.They have a fundraiser in the works for Nov.1 at the RR. Let's show them some support by showing up raising the roof. Big Daddy D has a nice Sunday afternoon jam brewing at the Steel Horse this week. Get out and check the various players who show up. Bid Daddy is pretty salty his ownself. Get out and about and soal up some of this awesome weather we're having. Kind of makes us forget 115. Hug the one you're with and have a week!! Sincerely, Jim Crawford - PBS |
Joe Knows by JimC There's no doubt about it, "Innocent" Joe Kopecki is a bluesman. His story reads like many of the players we listen to and read about. Since he moved to the Valley from the cold, dreary Northeast he has made a very respectable name for himself amongst and garnered an admiring following with the Valley blues community. Joe will be representing PBS, the Valley of the Sun and the dedicated AZ blues fans at the annual International Blues challenge in Memphis in January "I started guitar lessons when I was very young" Joe recalls. "My father had an old cowboy acoustic guitar sitting around the house. He didn't play but from what I'm told I was obsessed with that old guitar and was interested in learning to play it. I'm not one of those people with a vivid memory of my early years but my Mother tells me I was about 7 years old when she started me with lessons. "My father had a small collection of his favorite country guys. Cash, Haggard, Hank and then the guy that always grabbed my ear... Roger Miller. I think I really liked his songs because they were comical and fun, Joe said. "I still perform a couple of his songs to this day. As I got into my teen years and met other school kids and neighborhood kids who played guitar, my musical tastes and ear evolved. We were all listening and playing songs by America, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel, and James Taylor, to name a few. The church has had a lot of influence on many a bluesman and Joe spent time doing the folk music thing under the tutelage of a bona fide, educated musician. "At about 14 years old I started performing in church with a folk group.," Joe remembers. "The church hired a musical director who just graduated college with a music degree and he taught us all a lot. I was singing harmonies and playing guitar every week. I even learned bass and switched over to that when needed. Things progressed. "I stayed quite busy because I also hooked up with a school friend and we formed a acoustic duo," Joe said. "I bought my first PA system from Radio Shack and we performed at friends' parties and even a few open mics around town. He wrote lyrics and I put arraignments together and we had a few original songs to mix into our shows. I wish I still had those cassette tapes of us recording our music. I also got involved in theater productions at school. A few of the musicals and some training by our drama teacher really did a lot for my singing."Joe is versatile enough that he can play a solo gig in the morning and hook up with his band in the afternoon. "I enjoy both acoustic and electric guitar, so switching back and forth between solo and band gigs gives me that opportunity to stretch out on both," Joe said. "I prefer band gigs because of the interaction between the other players and all the sonic possibilities. Of course, I have always been a rhythm junkie and I just love drums and percussion. So that also trips my trigger when it comes to band gigs. I worked with a drummer in Pennsylvania for 13 years. He said I was just a frustrated drummer stuck on guitar."And Joe is another of the souls who never thought about why the blues. It never occurred to him that the blues chose him. Happens all the time."I've thought about this question a lot over the years," Joe says. "The answer is multi-faceted. I remember playing blues and blues progressions on guitar before I had any idea what blues was. I always enjoyed it without ever considering what it was or why. I took a long period of time away from music. Almost a fun ten years. In my late 20s Eric Clapton put out From the Cradle. It lit a spark in me. I couldn't stop listening to it. I was playing acoustic guitar at home. I got together with a couple friends to jam a little and I was playing some blues. My one friend suggested a local blues guy, Frank Grace, as a possible teacher for me. I sought him out. Bought a Les Paul and amp and started some serious lessons. I sucked it all up like a sponge. I also bought books about blues history and basically learned as much as I could. I was having fun going to my teacher's open mics and I was now more into soloing and electric guitar. Singing was added back in shortly after. In short, my teacher relocated and I needed an outlet for all this new stuff I was learning and doing. I decided to start my own band. I did blues music exclusively for a number of years before branching out into other genres. I enjoy it all but blues is where my heart is. There is something about blues when it is done at a high level. You don't have to know what it is or why it is...but it grabs you." It's a natural fact that we have some of the most awesome weather in the world. No West Texas wind. No Pennsylvania snow days/weeks/months. Very good reason to move hare. "My sister and brother both moved to AZ. I used to visit and I just fell in love with the sunshine and the desert. It's so vastly different from the Northeast. I lived 50 years in Pennsylvania. It was time for a change. You don't slip on sunshine in the winter."We all have our heroes and Joe is no different. He cites a couple of biggies as his favorites."My favorite acoustic guy is Keb' Mo' without a doubt," Joe says. "In the band and/or electric area, that is harder to pin down. Robben Ford has always been on the top of the list. But the list is long and diverse. Kenny Wayne Shepard blew me away at the last Flagstaff Blues and Brew. Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is one of the young guys that catches my ear. Eric Gales is one of my new guys I listen to a lot. I'm going to see Joe Bonamassa in Phoenix soon. He always impresses." Being an outstanding bluesman has its perks. Joe knows. "I was blown away the first time somebody asked me for my autograph. I played the Briggs Farm Blues Festival many years ago. We had some really good original music with that band called The Fat Cats. So we had some CDs to sell and it just blew my mind that somebody wanted an autograph. Still does.Then there might be some things one would like to forget."I played a double one time. We had a few hours off. We finished the first show and started drinking," Joe admits. "The second show was a little embarrassing. I don't mind forgetting a lyric because of my age. But that day taught me a lesson. If you're drinkin... you're stinkin."Joe went to Memphis this year as a spectator to take in and soak up the whole vibe. Like going to blues school. He brought home enough info to form a strategy that he hopes impresses enough people (judges) that he will make an impression. AKA, win the damned thing."It was a big learning experience being at the IBC last year. I took it all in and feel that I won't be overwhelmed by Beale Street this year. My expectation is to be fully rehearsed and give my best. The chips fall where they may. I know a lot of talented people who didn't make it past the first round. So obviously, it's a big deal to even get over that hurdle. But just representing Phoenix and competing is an honor. "The IBC is definitely a celebration of (blues) music, Joe said. "I was very impressed last year with all of the talent there. Also with how the bands and performers were so encouraging and shared a friendly competitive spirit. I saw a lot of competitors cheering for the other acts. So that was cool. In reality, you are competing on paper. For points. It's not who played the most notes or the loudest notes. Or who wears the coolest shirt. It's a package they are judging. They're putting X number points down for various categories. You rack up one more point then the other guy and you get the nod."There's a lot to see and do during IBC week in Memphis. It's all about the blues and no matter what part you play you'll come home with memories that will stay a long time."I took a lot away from Beale Street last year. It's hectic. There are enthusiastic fans there. People come from all over the world. They are loud and having a good time. But they are there for the music. So you got to get that audience on your side. You have to be real. You can have your show worked out with gimmicks or catchy things. But you better make sure that what you do is your own. It's got to be natural. I did see some acts that seemed to try and force things and it looked a little clunky. Keep it real. Be you." Joe was kind enough to give a plug to our little organization as well as all the other societies who struggle to keep it all alive and well."I think organizations like PBS are essential to local music scenes. Having formed and run a blues society for a couple years I know how hard it can be. So I appreciate the time and effort that goes into it. Even if people don't plan on being involved in running things or volunteering I think membership is important. I belong to four different blues societies not because I want something from them. But because I love the music and I want to give a little support. So thanks to PBS and all those who drive the music scene. "I want to thank everybody for the support I've managed to garner since I've been performing in the Valley. It's been great getting to know PBS and many others involved in the Phoenix music. Support live music. Go see a show. Buy a CD. There are many great performers here is the Valley of the Sun. Peace, Joe." |
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| In This Issue Joe Knows Blues... | |
Out & About Tuesday, October 15 Wednesday, October 16 Hans Olson, 7 p.m., Time Out Lounge, Tempe Chuck Hall, 6 p.m., Corrado's, Carefree Thursday, October 17 Cuck Hall, 6 p.m., Cheezheadz, Peoria Sugar Thieves Duo, 6 p.m., Culinary Dropout, Gilbert Eric Ramsey Hosts OPEN MIC, 6 p.m., Fatso's Pizza, Phoenix Hans Olson EVERY THURSDAY, 6 p.m., Handlebar, Apache Junction Arizona Blues Project, 8 p.m., Harold's, Cave Creek Friday, October 18 Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind, 8 p.m., Rhythm Room, Phoenix Innocent Joe & The Hostile Witnesses, 8 p.m., Lucky Strikes, Apache Junction Sugar Thieves, 7:30 p.m., Janey's, Cave Creek BluZone, 7 p.m., West Alley BBQ, Chandler Tommy Dukes/Roger Smith, 6 p.m., Charly's, Flagstaff Saturday, October 19 Hans Olson, 12:30 p.m., Tonto Rim Bar & Grill, Star Valley Rocket 88s, 8:30 p.m., Rosie McCaffery's, Phoenix Cadillac Assembly Line, 7 p.m., American-Italian Club, Phoenix Innocent Joe & The Hostile Witnesses, 7 p.m., Handlebar, Apache Junction Sugar Thieves, 9:30 p.m., Apache Lake Marina, Roosevelt Nina Curri, 6 p.m., Voodoo Daddy's, Tempe Blues Review Band, 8:30 p.m., Jersey D's Tavern, Chandler Sunday, October 20 Big Daddy D & The Dynamites JAM, 2 p.m., Steel Horse Saloon, Phoenix True Flavor Blues, NOON , Copper Star, Phoenix Monday, October 21
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Jams Sunday Rocket 88s JAM, 4 p.m., Chopper John's, Phoenix Bourbon Jack's JAM w/Kody Herring, 6 p.m., Chandler The Scott O'Neal Band JAM every other Sunday, The Windsock, Prescott MONDAY Bam Bam & Badness Open JAM, 9 p.m., Char's, Phoenix Weatherford Hotel JAM, 6:30 p.m., Flagstaff TUESDAY OPEN JAM Hosted by Jilly Bean & The Flipside Blues Band, 7 p.m., Steel Horse Saloon, Phoenix JAM Sir Harrison, 9 p.m., Char's, Phoenix Gypsy's Bluesday Night JAM, 7 p.m. Pho Cao, Tempe Tailgaters JAM, 7 p.m., Glendale WEDNESDAY Rocket 88s, JAM, 6 p.m., The Last Stop (Old Hideaway West), Phoenix Tool Shed JAM Party, 6 p.m. Gabby's, Mesa JAM @ The Bench, Hosted by BluZone, 7 p.m., The Bench, Tempe THURSDAY Tool Shed JAM Party, 7 p.m., Steel Horse Saloon, Phoenix Jolie's Place JAM w/Adrenaline, 9 p.m., Chandler Friday Saturday |
GOT BLUES? If you are a Blues musician, a group, or a club that features Blues music, and would like to be listed, please send your info to info@phoenixblues.org and we'll be happy to list your event in our weekly Out & About section of the newsletter
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Moved? Changed email addresses? Please let us know of any changes in your address, email, or phone number so we can keep you informed about the Blues community in Arizona. Email us at: info@phoenixblues.org or write to: Phoenix Blues Society P.O. Box 36874 Phoenix, Arizona 85067 |
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