Joe Mele - Co-writer, musician, producer, engineer
Joe Mele Bio:
Throughout the 70's and 80's Joe Mele performed locally, regionally, and internationally with the finest unsigned bands as well as many noteworthy artists. These bands included Joe's own original project bands, Breakfast of Champions, Merlin's Minstrels and Emerald City. Joe's collaboration on writing and performing with the talented co-members of these bands launched him to new levels. This led to periods of showcase work in New York City, Los Angeles, and London for such well known record magnates as Dee Anthony.
Joe also helped build and design the club J.B. Scotts in Albany. Installing his sound system, he was house engineer for 1 1/2 years, engineering bands The Ramones, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Buddy Rich Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, and many more.
Entering the 90's, Joe continued recording and performing with his many original projects. He toured constantly, playing shows across New York State, New England, and throughout the U.S. and Canada, performing in bands at the prestigious Boston Blues Festival, New York Blues Festival, and Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy's Legend's nightclub in Chicago, L.A. House of Blues, Boston's House of Blues; and New York's Manny's Car Wash, Kenny's Castaways, and The Bitter End.
In Joe's nearly forty years of performing he has shared the stage with such acclaimed artists as B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Junior Wells, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Dan Toller, Johnny Copeland, James Cotton, John Hall, Orleans, Luther "Guitar" Johnson, Eddie Clearwater, Alan Woody, Savoy Brown, Joan Osborne, NRBQ, Dr. John, Little Feat, Lonnie Mack, Honey Boy Edwards, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Commander Cody, Queen Ida, Debbie Davies, Sam Lay, Mighty Sam McLain, The Holmes Brothers, Johnny Johnson, Blue Runners, Janelle Donovan, Ernie Williams, and Kenny Neal. Joe has also participated in clinics with drummer Carmine Appice.
Joe's studio work includes development work for producer Dee Anthony and many independent record labels. He has a wide ranging studio background, playing and producing on many independent and intermediate record label projects in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles and London. While performing with Janelle Donovan at the Blue Bird in Nashville, Joe recorded with Billy Cox for Gene Golden who was the musical director for Kenny Rogers.
In 2001, Joe received the Northeast Country Music Award for songwriter of the year with fellow musicians Janelle Donovan and Tony Perrino.
