How did you discover Joe? (Page 1 of 3)

Hi Mike, I have only been to the Robin 2 twice. Once was 2 weeks ago to see Simon McBride, the other some years back playing (depping) for a Thin Lizzy tribute band. What a great venue, I hope to go more in the future and hopefully see some other up and coming blues/rock acts. I am so sorry I never got to see Joe playing the smaller venues, it's one of my biggest regrets.

On that point, to answer your question, I had heard passing mention of JB somewhere in the past, but never consciously listened to any of his stuff - it passed me by. That's one hell of an admission given I'm a guitarist myself who loves blues rock, I'm still kicking myself!

I finally stumbled across Joe's music in earnest (way too late) in mid 2010 by virtue of a chance hit on Youtube. I was and still am a big Gary Moore fan and one night, I was watching a video of him playing something or other and on the right hand side of the screen was a link to a video of JB. It was him playing Sloe Gin live. I nearly spontaneously combusted, I had never heard a guitar played with such passion, fire and control in my life. As you do, I then clicked on another JB performance, then another and so on. I think I was holed up like a hermit for weeks gorging on anything I could find.

That's my story, love to hear others.

Saw him at Crossroads 2010 although it took a few years to register....

Hi below I attached my story from another thread on this forum a few years back that tells my story. Sorry it is so long but it is what it is. Joe is truly am amazing person. I have had the privilege to meet him numerous times since the below message and I am happy to call him my freind.
Cheers Ron and welcome aboard the Joe B train

>>>>>
2011-03-20 13:00:06
Topic: You all need to know how Joe saved my soul (4 replies, posted in Introductions)
Hi All
It has been a VERY rough 7 months for me but I need to let all of you know my story and how Joe, even thought I have never met him, has brought me back from a very dark place. Below is an email I sent to Joe and his management a few months back that tells my tale. I now have the guitar in record time from the custom shop and I am sure we know who made this happen. What is important is I am sure that there are many other people that Joe has touched in a profound way such as myself. I will be working towards getting back my chops and focus on raising money via music for colon cancer research. This new direction and focus is a direct result of how Joe's music has impacted me. He truly has saved my soul.
Thanks Joe I will be forever greatfull, I look forward meeting you this Thursday 3/24 in Worcester to sign my new Les.
Cheers Ron 
>>>>>>The email
Subject: Your music has saved my soul

Your music has saved my soul
Hi Joe
My name is Ron and I feel  I need to tell you what your music has done for me. I will try to be brief and I hope you get this note.
Up until September 17th 2008 my life could not be more perfect, I had married my high school sweet heart Cindy (married 30 years) we had two wonderful kids, my wife and I did EVERYTHING together, things could not be better until on September 17th 2008 ( my 911) we were informed that my wife had colon cancer. She was never sick a day in her life.  I never knew courage until I saw how my wife handled this and fought. I can only dream of being so strong. Unfortunately on August 3rd 2010 of this past year she lost her battle with cancer. As with everything she left us her way at home surrounded by me and my kids. My kids are also amazing for they knew how important it was to their mother and me that they went back to college. So three short weeks after the loss of my wife they went back to school.
So how does this tie to your music? For me more then you will ever know.
My kids went back to college then I found myself coming home to an empty house just staring at the walls not knowing what to do.
A little more history….Prior to meeting my wife some 35 years ago I played guitar in a band. Started at age 4 and was playing clubs by 12. Music was my world until I met my wife at which time she was it nothing else mattered. Well we got married I sold my Marshall, pedals and Strat for an acoustic and as the years rolled on I hardly played at all for my wife and I were enjoying life together. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Now back to above again…… as I said my kids went back to college then I found myself coming home to an empty house just staring at the walls not knowing what to do. I picked up my Ovation 12 string, that I have not touched for years and then after about an hour of playing it hit me. Playing was a comfort, it sent me to a wonderful place and helped the pain. Well then and there I decided it is never too late so I have started playing again. On day a few months ago I was talking to a buddy of mine and he said you need to listen to this young guitar slinger Joe Bonamassa if you want to hear rocking blues. So now this is where you come in. I went and purchased your live from Royal Albert hall DVD. I must have listened to that 100 times. Joe I know you have probably heard this a million times but your playing is truly amazing. Listening to you play has been the best medicine to help me through this hard time in my life. It has truly saved my soul. I have since purchased a Marshall and was hoping to buy one of your Gibson custom gold tops but I was informed  that they are out and do not plan on making any more. So I am doing the next best thing I am working with my local Guitar Center to see if I can have Gibson piece together a top quality custom Les Paul with the hardware of your gold top. I just purchased two tickets to your upcoming show on 3/24/2011 in Worchester Mass and I was hoping that I could bring it along for you to sign.
I hope you get this message and again thank you for your music as I said you will never know how much listening to your soulful playing is helping me heal.
Thank you so much a new fan.
Ron

It just happened one day, then we met shared some info and yada yada yada.

                                                                                          Think Green,

                                                                                          J Dawg

good old fashioned rock station
PLANET ROCK introduced me to JOE god bless em

Probably around 2008, my uncle wanted me to try and get Joe's guitar tone (Sloe Gin CD) on his Les Paul/Tech21/Vox set-up... I've been chasing his tone ever since...! Saw him live for the first time at Bridlington Spa in 2010 and then again at Newcastle Arena in 2012.

Read about Bloodlines in an issue of Fender Frontline back in 1994 and managed to buy a copy the following year whilst at the Dallas Guitar Show. The store was called CD Universe. I followed Joe from then onwards...he was pretty unknown back then here in the UK....boy how things change!

I first discovered Joe by browsing for some new blues on a music website back in 2005. Joe was the highlighted artist and Blues Deluxe was the CD I ordered. I fell in love with his sound. A few months later, in 2006, I went to see him in a small 300 person auditorium. I was hooked after that concert. Been hooked every since! Own everything he has out except for Bloodlines and want everything he does from now on! Also seen him five times so far with 2 more appearances to come with M&G's!
Joe is the best there is on this earth!!