Album Notes

Joe’s musical roots go back to the sixties and seventies when he was heavily influenced by musicians and groups: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joe Cocker, Stevie Winwood, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. In the late sixties Joe played with many up and coming musicians in Central Illinois who later went on to fame and fortune in bands such as REO Speedwagon, Rufus and Head East. In 1969 Joe became lead guitarist for “e,” an eclectic group of musicians who settled down in Indianapolis, opened for artists like Ted Nugent and Janis Joplin and recorded music of their own. In October of 1970 “e” (also known as the “e” band) had a collective spiritual epiphany, when they were all introduced to Christ and all became Christians on the same night at a small prayer meeting in Indianapolis. The band continued as “e” after that night but their music began to change along with their message. They found themselves playing frequently in the Chicago area at large venues such as outdoor festivals and high schools sharing with young people the message of transformation in their new songs. In 1972 the members of “e” went their separate ways, Joe into full time missions ministry and Greg X. Volz, the lead singer for “e,” became lead vocalist for Christian super group, Petra. David Eden, Tom Byler and David O’Haver, the other three members of “e,” pursued other dreams, but even now the band members stay in contact with each other and have recently put out their own CD of live recordings from their early concerts. Over the years Joe has continued writing songs and this compilation is the end product of some of his favorites.