Blind Joe to perform at HIT

By IAN MINIELLY

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Ironwood — Blind Joe, is coming to the Historic Ironwood Theatre August 12 at 7:30 p.m., where he will be joined by three local singers for duets, in addition to his own brand of traditional sounding country. When Joe gets in town he is going to rehearse with Kate Averitt, Nick Backlund, and Hannah Nasi so they can join him on stage and sing.

Blind Joe lasted until the final 40 contestants on “The Voice” two years ago, turning all four judges chairs, which meant he got to pick which judge he worked with going forward. Joe said he picked Blake Shelton because of the shared country roots they both possess.

What few people know is Blind Joe is a living tribute to the Horatio Alger myth. According to Joe, the doctors told his parents at birth he would almost certainly die and they were so confident in their assessment, they put the odds of him dying at 98 percent. Not only were they confident he would die, the doctors said if by a miracle he survived, he would have severe physical limitations due to being born at 1 pound and 12 ounces, three months early.

Joe’s mother, according to Joe, said he was the scariest thing that ever happened in her life, but she was not going to shelter him and raised him like any other kid if he survived the rough beginning, with the idea that he could be anything he wanted to be in life. Joe went to public school, graduating from Fargo North High in Fargo, ND and spent a youth surrounded by foster children because his parents would regularly fill the house with foster kids, providing them a home away from home.

Joe learned the guitar from his grandfather, who bought him his first guitar at age 5. Joe said he can also play the trumpet, piano, keyboard, and accordion, which was his grandfathers instrument.

Joe said he was playing locally and singing before the Voice, but since the show his musical career has really taken off, allowing him to quit his job in marketing equipment to blind people. Joe said he is playing 100-150 shows per year and puts a significant amount of energy into each show, which is exhausting. Joe and his wife Liann, manage the social media and bookings, without a team or label, so between shows they prefer to relax and “chill out” because of the effort required to travel and keep doors opening.

Vic Calori, program coordinator for the HIT, realized Joe is from North Dakota and thought he might be willing to come and play Ironwood. Calori mentioned in their discussion about the potential of playing with some local talent and Joe thought it was a great idea and agreed to come. Joe said he loves to have a positive impact and talk to younger people about their dreams, because he is a testament to the potential in all people to realize their goals, if they are willing to work for it

Joe said his music is available for free live streaming at blindjoe.com, and while this is not his first time coming to Michigan, it is his first time playing in the Upper Peninsula and they are looking forward to the show. He said he has opened for some great bands and musicians, including David Allen Coe, Craig Morgan, the Kentucky Headhunters, Brett Michael, Joe Diffie and many more.