Street Team Stories: Tell Us About Your First Time Hearing Joe

I first heard joe about 3 years ago, I got hooked on his song Sloe Gin from the RAH cd. It wasn't until about a year ago when I really started getting into his music and appreciating it more. I saw him at the Chicago Theater with my dad and I think that is what started my addiction! Seeing him live is just the best!

First time I saw Joe was September 19, 2004.  My son insisted on coming to the New Hampshire NASCAR race with us because Joe was playing after the race and he was already a big fan (he had driven over 100 miles to a very sketchy area in Hartford, CT recently and I thought he was crazy).

Well, the race is over, and here comes a flatbed truck with a band on it.  Said guitar person had a very spiffy looking guitar and a pirate for a bass player.  Before the first song was over I was hooked.  Thank goodness Joe couldn't hear how he sounded over the raceway PA system or he probably would have stopped playing (he sounded fine when you were in front of his amps).  Only four songs total - and three guitars - Goldie, a Gigliotti and the black Chandler.  My life has never been the same since, and in a very good way.  Pictures here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/24057301@N … 436771559/

Sandy

it was in late 2006 I had enough of my study for work certifications and took up guitar as a hobby (those cert tests have reared their ugly head again )
I was watching a DVD that came out in early 2007 (i think) called Solid Bodies the 50 year guitar war.
And there was Joe talking,
Of course I started looking up what all the guitarists on that DVD were doing but didn't really act on anything; I was still tied up with musical stage productions with my daughter (I later became a stage manager) and still dealing with my 24hr a day service calls.
When I found out that Joe was playing my home town of Brampton, ON I was devastated, it was the week before we went into theatre and couldn't possibly have a night off from rehearsal and load-in.
Wasn't till spring of 2011 that a local large chain music store was having a draw for a Meet'n'Greet and I zipped up on the last day of the contest to enter the contest.
To my amazement I received a phone call that I had won tickets to Joe here in Toronto and to the meet'n'greet.
The meet'n'greet was great, small number of people (20) and I brought the guitar I purchased to myself as the last stage management job I did.

He signed the back of the headstock of my 2001 Gibson Les Paul in Desert Burst and I had him sign a truss rod cover as well.
To this day I call the guitar Joe (esp now since it has SD-JB pickup set 238 in it.)

Joe's music has now taken over every song I listen to on my mp3, dvd, cd's

I have taken in shows in London, Ontario and Buffalo NY as well.
I as everyone else is waiting to see what 2014 will bring.

Great Topic Eric.   My husband found Joe way before I did2010 and 2011   For about a year he did not stop talking about Joe.  So for Christmas that year I bought him the CD's,  Live from Nowhere in Particular and Live from Royal albert Hall.   I listened to each and thought pretty good.  The spring of 2012  they announced Joe was going to be in Evansville  In so I got tickets for my hubby as an early Fathers day present and the rest is as they say history.  The concert was extraordinary and not a day goes by that I do not thank God for the wonder of Joe and his music.

Cool stories!

This morning I got up early to go get my mothers car.  It's a nice day today, should go up to 9deg.!!  I want to wash it for her and put her snow tires on.  As soon as I start it up I hear Joe!  Mum is 73 and a Joe fan.  Starting to get into Beth now too.

Wednesday night I hop into my best friends car, we, along with my daughter, 16, and my niece, 28, are heading to a ZZTop concert.  Joe is in the CD player and we all want it turned up!

I have heard Joe's name mentioned many times, guitar forums, former co-worker talked about him.  I've known who he was for years.  My all time favorite band is Led Zeppelin.  I watch lots of YouTube videos to help me learn to play guitar, lots of LZ videos and tutorials.  Not too many covers impress me, but this one guy blew me away.  Tea For One, but you probably guessed that already!  I was most of the way through the video before I even realised who was playing.
That was just a year ago.  Since then it has been a Joe situation on a daily basis.  The Beacon this past May, a signature Les Paul, Tour de Force Box set with tickets and so many other CD's, DVD's etc.  You know how the story goes.

I am now planning my next vacation, around Joe's schedule of course!

I was just of of the hospital after having seizures for the first time. They suspend your driver's license for 3 months and I had to walk or take the bus everywhere. My body ached like I'd been beaten with a baseball bat (seizures cause you to tear your muscles) and my brain was ringing like a bell. I could barely focus enough to read. I am 62 and I never felt so lost and alone in all my life.

Sometime early in this period I heard Joe and Beth Hart do I Will Take Care of You and it was like a tonic to my spirit. I love guitar but have not listened to much new since Hendrix, Allman and John Campbell (my cousin) passed. Joe Bonamassa is the first new guitarist I have liked in over 30 years - and I only heard in back in April 2013! Now, I own almost everything he has produced.

Today, 9 months after the seizures, I am fine brainwise. The meds cause lots of side effects, but I am physically stronger and have better coordination than I have had in years. I honestly believe Joe and Beth's music has helped me pick myself up off the ground and get back into the flow of life - even better than I was before the seizures in April 2013. Yeah, I am believer in music as therapy! LOL!

Happy New Year and thanks to every one of you who works with Joe and Beth

The first time I saw Joe was in 2003 opening for Frampton at the Ryman in Nashville. About half way through his second song, my friend and I looked at each other in amazement. Been a fan ever since. Been to every show in Nashville since.