Josh Joplin - Biography

Biography

Joplin was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Conestoga Valley, in the heart of Lancaster, Pa., until at the age of 12, when his family relocated to Columbia, Md.

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 Sylivia’s Atomic Café. Eventually he got some shows opening for singer-songwriters at Trackside Tavern in Decatur, Ga., but when it was learned by the club's manager that he was still underage he was forbidden to play there without a chaperon, so he was often the charge of the performers he was opening for, especially Shawn Mullins and Natalie Farr.

In 1995, wanting to play with other people, Joplin was introduced to Geoff Melkonian, who played bass and viola, and Jason Beucker, 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., eventually garnering a small but loyal following.

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. Their expanding fan base and record sales increased exponentially, drawing the attention of major labels but never fetching them a deal.

In 1998, Shawn Mullins, still riding high on his success with Lullaby signed the quartet to his own SMG Label. He produced Useful Music and performed on many of the songs. Shortly after its release, Jason Beucker was replaced on drums by Ani Cordero then Eric Taylor. Deb Davis was also added on lead guitar and the band made a slight name change: Josh Joplin Group.

In 2000, Useful Music was picked up by Danny Goldberg’s new label Artemis Records. It was repackaged and re-released in 2001. Many songs were totally re-recorded. Producer Peter Collins created a remix to a ballad called I’ve Changed for radio, which ended up as an alternate version on the album, but the bulk of the transformation came from former member of the Talking Heads and producer Jerry Harrison, who re-recorded Matter, I’ve Changed, and an additional track called Camera One. Camera One went on to become the first No. 1 hit on adult album alternative radio by an independent record label ever.

The band made its television debut that year, appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman first, followed by Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

Joplin moved to New York City in 1998 but still toured and played with Josh Joplin Group.

The band followed the success of Useful Music with The Future That Was, which was recorded at Adam Schlesinger and James Iha’s studio Stratosphere and was produced by Rob Gal. Though it received much more critical acclaim, it had very little commercial success. Josh Joplin Group disbanded in December 2003.

In 2004, after being inspired by his then-neighbor Dan Zanes, Joplin began recording a solo record with the friends he grew up with as well as the math teacher who originally taught him guitar. On August 23, 2005, he released "Jaywalker" on Eleven Thirty Records.