JOE C.

Hello! My name is Joe and I have been a musician and teacher for over 50 years. I started with clarinet at age 9 then added guitar and sax at age 10. My music teacher would take myself, my brother and another friend around to various venues and I made my first check for $1 playing at a Knights of Columbus when I was 10 years old. I was hooked! I started playing with adults in various bands when I was 12 and loved it! Since then,I have had the opportunity to play overseas in Germany, Austria, Italy, Egypt and Israel. All over the United States with a "fronting band" for Barbara Mandrel, Ricky SSkaggs Minnie Pearl etc. I have played at various churches in Florida, Chicago and Tennessee. I was also Bill Beck's guitar player here in Florida. I would just like to encourage you, along with the thousands of students I've had over the years, that you CAN become a very fine musician and in a shorter time than you might think possible. Many people get the idea that it takes years to learn to play. I will challenge you with the notion that you can become very skilled in a matter of months! I would like to leave you with this thought: I was the worst student I ever had-meaning that when I first started I couldn't even keep my fingers in place on the instruments. I discovered that through dedication and determination I was able to overcome those initial stumbling blocks-and you can too! Looking forward to meeting you and watching your progress!