Josh Joplin
| Josh Joplin | |
|---|---|
| Born | United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Associated acts |
Among The Oak & Ash Josh Joplin Band Josh Joplin Group |
Josh Joplin is an American singer-songwriter.
Joplin was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Conestoga Valley, Pennsylvania until age 12, when his family relocated to Columbia, Maryland.
Joplin, who was never a great student, began guitar lessons with his math teacher, who promised a to give him the crucial credit he needed to pass the seventh grade if he could learn to play a song proficiently by the end of the year. His interest in guitar and music, especially folk music, outgrew his initial need for a passing grade. Though he made it through to the eighth grade, Joplin dropped out altogether after the ninth grade and began his career as a folk singer.
He spent the next couple of years traveling around the country, busking on the streets, taking odd jobs, and working in restaurants. It was while he was living in Denver for a short stint that he was given his first opportunity to perform in front of an attentive audience, opening for singer-songwriter Bill Staines at the Swallow Hill Folk Music Center.
Later that month he met folk-blues legend Dave Van Ronk who encouraged Joplin to move to New York City, but he left shortly after his arrival upon listening to MacDougal Blues a record released by Atlanta songwriter Kevn Kinney. Joplin relocated to Atlanta.
Still heavily influenced by his heroes Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, and Woody Guthrie, Josh landed a regular gig at Sylvia's Atomic Café. Eventually he got some shows opening for singer-songwriters at Trackside Tavern in Decatur, Georgia but when it was learned by the club's manager that he was still underage he was forbidden to play there without a chaperon.
In 1995, wanting to play with other people, Joplin was introduced to Geoff Melkonian, who played bass and viola, and Jason Buecker, who played drums. After playing a few shows together as Josh’s backing band, the three decided to continue to play together simply under the name Josh Joplin Band. They released an album later that year called Projector Head. The notes section on the back of the lyrics booklet inside the Projector Head CD says "recorded August '95 at Furies Studio Atlanta GA". The three toured tirelessly throughout the southern and northeastern U.S. In 1997, they released Boxing Nostalgic and later that same year added Allen Broyles to their lineup on organ and piano. Broyles appears on two tracks of Boxing Nostalgic.
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