Singer/Songwriter

Joe is taking a risk, and not because he’s slid behind the bar of Sugar Hill to help himself and a lady friend to a bottle of the venue’s white zinfandel. The multi-platinum singer is releasing his first album as an independent, a drastic move he’s been itching to make ever since he realized how much he stood to gain, not just monetarily, but creatively.

"I was barely making $1 a record [signed to a major] and being independent I’m making $10 a record,” he says, lounging comfortably on the couch. He glances around the empty venue which will be packed for a show featuring him and label mate, Algebra Blessett, in just a few hours.

With his album, New Man, due out September 23 on Kedar Entertainment, he’s taken a grassroots approach that he hopes will pay off. Canceling all of his House of Blues dates to travel the country and do free promo, Joe’s career is firmly in his own hands, and he’s loving every minute of it.

"m still making quality music,” he insists, also mentioning that he worked with producer, Brian Michael Cox, among others on the album. “I’m a 35 year-old man and I’ve been in the game for over 17 years. I understand that there are certain things that I have to do to stay in the industry. It’s about respect.”

And over the years, he’s consistently shown his respect for the female gender in his music. With his dual singles, “ER” and “Why Just Be Friends,” Joe hasn’t lost sight of his ultimate goal—pleasing the ladies.

"I'm inspired by the women,” he smiles. “That’s why it’s hard for me to settle down and get married because I’m being inspired by beautiful women almost every other day.”  -jacinta howard

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