Joe Sun
| Joe Sun | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Joseph Paulsen |
| Born | September 25, 1943 |
| Origin | Rochester, Minnesota |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Ovation, Elektra, Dixie Frog, Crazy |
| Associated acts | Sheila Andrews |
James Joseph Paulsen (born September 25, 1943, Rochester, Minnesota) is an American country music singer, songwriter of Danish descent, known professionally as Joe Sun. Recording for the Ovation and Elektra Records labels, Sun charted fourteen singles on the Hot Country Songs charts. His highest was his 1978 debut single, the No. 14 "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You."
He spent his youth in college and then in the Air Force. He did various jobs, such as working as a DJ at Radio WMAD in Madison, Wisconsin and at a Key West, Florida rock station and he spent two years with a computer firm in Chicago. While in Madison, he sang with a variety of semi-pro bands, working under the name "Jack Daniels". He acquired his style listening to southern music on country's 50,000 watt WSM and rhythm and blue's WLAC radio.
In 1972, he made his way to Nashville, giving himself five years to "make it" as a musician. For a time, he ran a small graphics business called The Sun Shop, then took up independent record promotions, which led to signing with the Ovation Records label towards the end of 1977.
Joe Sun made a debut of his first single on Ovation Records "Old Flames (Can't Hold A Candle To You)" which was released in May 1978 and climbed steadily up the country charts, reaching the Top 20. Further hits followed on Ovation Records with "High And Dry" (1978), "On Business For The King" (1979), "Blue Ribbon Blues" (1979), "Out Of Your Mind" (1979/1980), "What I Had With You" (1980), "Shotgun Rider" (1980), "Bombed, Boozed, And Busted" (1980), and "Ready For the Times to Get Better" (1980), an innovative re-make of Crystal Gayle's 1978 No. 1 hit. By the time his third album, Livin' On Honky Tonk Time was released, the record company Ovation closed down. Joe signed with Elektra, who purchased Ovation in 1981. At that time he recorded "I Ain't Honky Tonkin' No More". The album Best of Joe Sun was released by Elektra.
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