Album Notes

Backroad Joe was produced by critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Terence Martin, and features performances by Terence on keyboards, accordian & harmonica and Jim Allen on guitar, mandolin, piano & accordian, Daniel Bonis on banjo and Gordon Roehrer on bass.

"Joe McKay possesses a knack for keenly and sincerely bringing to life people, places and times from throughout his life, with an inviting voice and grassroots folk song style." Kevin McCarthy, Folk & Celtic Music Reviews

"Some of the most deadpan funny and imaginative songs I've ever heard." Rick Ilowite, premier fingerstyle guitarist


Joe McKay
-biography-

"He was born on a pig farm,
down on Secaucus Road,
on the banks of the Pennhorn Creek.

He tells a lot of stories
about the world that he knew,
In songs with his old guitar."


What better way to describe singer/songwriter Joe McKay than lyrics from his own semi-autobiographical song, "Back Road Joe." Born and raised in Secaucus, Joe McKay has lived the rich history of the area and is a true New Jersey original.

Joe's music is deeply rooted in the late fifties and early sixties folk revival. The music of the Kingston Trio, the Limelighters, Bob Dylan and especially singer/songwriter John Stewart contributed to his traditionally based unique, storytelling style.

Playing guitar with a rock and roll band between 1964 and 1966, Joe didn't re-enter the music scene until 1993. In that year he did a songwriter's workshop with his mentor, John Stewart, at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York.

Since then he's been a very popular regular on the "open mike" circuit, in coffeehouses throughout the Tri-State area. Joe was a New Folk winner at the NJ Folk Festival 2002 and his performances include shows at the Turning Point in Piermont, Main Street Arts in Nyack, Bodles Opera House in Chester and the Baggott Inn in New York, and the Hillside Cafe in Nutley, New Jersey.