Joe McKay

Artist Information

Biography

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


What better way to describe singer/songwriter Joe McKay than lyrics from his own semi-autobiographical song, “Backroad 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 Joe has performed in coffeehouses throughout the Tri-State area, including the Turning Point , Peekskill Coffeehouse, Brennan Coffeehouse, Perkins Center for the Arts, Hillside Cafe, Acoustic Café, Jersey City Museum, Warwick Valley Winery Dylan Festival and the Watchung Arts Center, sharing the stage with Modern Man, John Stewart, Terence Martin and Pat Wictor.

Joe was a New Folk winner at the 2002 New Jersey Folk Festival and has appeared on Ralph Litwin’s TV show, “Horses Sing None of It.”

Joe’s debut CD, Backroad Joe, was produced by critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Terence Martin and mastered at Presence Studios in Westport, Connecticut. The CD features performances by Terence Martin, Jim Allen , Dan Bonis and Gordon Roehrer.

Joe is currently writing new material for a future release.

"Joe McKay writes from the heart. Watching Joe McKay share his songs with an audience brings out a smile and a feeling that you've spent time with an old friend. There is a genuine warmth that is all too rare among performers."
-Ron Olesko, Producer/Host WFDU-FM's TRADITIONS.

Instrumentation

Joe McKay performs solo on guitar, as a duo with Gordon Roehrer on bass & as a trio with Mike Kelly on mandolin.

Discography

Backroad Joe, debut CD

Official Website

http://users.nac.net/acoustic/Joe/joe.htm

Audio

• Don't Cook Your Dinner
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• Doc McDonald's Indian Medicine Show
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• Two Great Rivers
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• Saddled and Bridled
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• Chicken, Shorty & Cockeyed Joe
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Folk Music reviews [+ Show ]
  

  "Joe McKay possesses a knack for keenly and sincerely bringing people, places and times to life." ..."Joe McKay possesses a knack for keenly and sincerely bringing people, places and times to life." -

• WFDU's Traditions [+ Show ]
  

  "Joe McKay writes from the heart. Watching Joe McKay share his songs with an audience brings out ..."Joe McKay writes from the heart. Watching Joe McKay
  share his songs with an audience brings out a smile and a feeling that you've spent time with an old friend. There is a genuine warmth that is all too rare among performers."
  

Setlist

Joe typically performs his own original songs and also a few traditional folk songs.

Basic Requirements

Calendar