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Joe Ross Biography
JOE ROSS was born on April 26, 1954 in Portsmouth, VA. Raised overseas in Japan, he lived there from 1956-59 and from 1962-71 as his father was a commander in the US Navy. Joe started playing guitar and electronic organ in junior high school, playing rock and soul music at military base teen clubs, festivals, marinas, restaurants, and nightclubs throughout central Japan in such bands as The Blue Flame, The Exit, and The U.S. Obtaining a recording contract with RCA Victor Japan, the group “Sunrise” included Joe on Hammond organ. Joe graduated from Nile C. Kinnick High School (aka Yo-Hi) in Yokohama, Japan. Joe Ross heard his first bluegrass music in Japan on the Far East Network or Japanese bands like Happy Hippopotamus and New Smiling Mountain Boys. He took up bluegrass music during college days at the University of Oregon in Eugene, 1971-75, where he studied business administration and recreation/park management.
Organizing and playing with The High Mountain Ramblers from 1973-1984, Joe toured regionally as members of the juried artist roster, "Northwest on Tour." He played large regional bluegrass festivals and recorded with Sagegrass while living in Las Vegas from 1984-88. Returning to Oregon in 1988, Joe organized and recorded with Joe Ross and Cold Thunder from 1989-1995. One album (“Thunderin’ Bluegrass”) is currently available.
In 2000, Joe Ross (in collaboration with Janet Naylor) released a critically-acclaimed album of instrumental Celtic music in 2000 called "The Harper's Reverie: Irish Music of Turlough O'Carolan." The blind Irish harper's music (from the 18th century) was arranged by Joe (and harmonies written) for various instruments. Currently available on-line in CD or tape formats at Amazon.com or Cdbaby.com, here's what one reviewer says about the project: "I am very pleased! The quality of the music is astounding, not to mention the variety of instruments. This truly is a delightful collection of O'Carolan's music. It will definitely be getting airtime on my show." Melissa Hollopeter, WMTU 91.9 FM Houghton, Michigan
In 2002, Joe released "The Crazy Zoo" an Animal Songfest" in 2002 with over an hour's worth (19 songs) of frolicking, fun-filled family entertainment in the folk and bluegrass tradition to sing along with. Guest artists include Peter Ostroushko, Dean Magraw, Radim Zenkl, Bryan Bowers and others. Available from Amazon.com or Cdbaby.com, one reviewer's words: "Every song and tune is well played and will delight the young, middle aged and older fans who love music. The way Joe phrases and pronounces the words indicate he has been strongly influenced by the folk music in the 1960s. His voice is in the lower vocal range and very enjoyable. Bryan Bowers is well known as a great autoharp player and he gives us some good moments on several songs. Banjo Dan Mazer's five strings speak on "Tennessee Stud" and other songs. This is a wonderful presentation of good music and should find a home in everyone's record collection. This project has been nominated for a Parent's Choice Foundation Fall Award. Sincerely, Frank Overstreet, SPBGMA Bluegrass Music News"
Joe Ross is a long-standing member of "Northwest on Tour" a juried artist roster for regional touring professional artists and musicians. In 1989, he organized the nonprofit Roseburg [Oregon] Folklore Society and has promoted over 200 concerts for artists touring through Oregon. He produced the Myrtle Creek Bluegrass and Arts Festival (aka "Myrtlegrass") in Myrtle Creek, Oregon for 7 years from 1991-97.
Joe Ross is a well-known music journalist who writes articles and CD reviews for national publications such as Bluegrass Unlimited (circulation 35,000), Bluegrass Now, Acoustic Musician, Sing Out!, SPBGMA Bluegrass Music News, Old-Time Music Herald, and many others. He has over 200 published articles within the past 20 years. Joe serves as a staff writer for Bluegrass Now which has a circulation of about 25,000. Joe is a five-time nominee for SPBGMA “Feature Writer of the Year” Award. He contributes a weekly music review column to the North County News (based in Sutherlin, OR.). He’s a regular contributor to over three dozen music-related websites and listservs, and has achieved “Top 500 reviewer” status on Amazon.com with nearly 1,000 album & book reviews posted there.
A multi-year award winner in the Portland Music Assn. Songwriting Contest, Joe Ross’ latest or forthcoming album feature all original material he has written during the past four decades. His 2006 album release “Festival Time Again” has all-original bluegrass songs (written by Joe) and features members of The James King Band, Ronnie Stewart, Tim Crouch, Randy Kohrs, Scott Vestal, Bryan Bowers, Radim Zenkl, and others. In addition to these artists, his 2007 album release “Spirit of St. Louis” features the Missouri-based bluegrass group, Cedar Hill, singing his award-winning “Mother’s Songs.” The album is an 80th anniversary tribute to Lindbergh and his famous solo flight in May, 1927 across the Atlantic from New York to Paris.
Joe Ross’ 2008 album release “Bluegrass Alphabet” has all-original bluegrass songs and features members of The James King Band, Cold Thunder, Ronnie Stewart, Tim Crouch, Randy Kohrs, Scott Vestal, Bryan Bowers, Radim Zenkl and others.
Joe has won or placed in various regional band and instrument contests. He currently performs regularly in various configurations: 1)solo in a highly-entertaining, educational and interactive "Roots of Bluegrass" Show which traces the evolution of bluegrass from the British Isles to Appalachia to today, and which demonstrates up to ten different instruments; 2)duo at weddings and receptions with wife, Kathleen, on classical harp, and Joe primarily on hammered dulcimer; 3)trio in The Celtic Tradition with Janet Naylor on harp, and Linda Danielson on fiddle, doing traditional dance music and songs from Celtic lands; 4)playing electric bass and mandolin in Douglas County's hot country band, Lombardo 'n The Guyz, which also offers a taste of Cajun, Western Swing and Bluegrass in their contemporary country mix; 5)swinging gypsygrass music with the HotQua String Band; 6)classic jazz standards from the hit parade with the guitar/bass/mandolin trio of “Moonglow” or “YoHi Brothers”; 7)touring in his professional bluegrass quintet, “The Joe Ross Band,” which presents an eclectic mix of material to emphasize their versatility and originality.
Organizing and playing with The High Mountain Ramblers from 1973-1984, Joe toured regionally as members of the juried artist roster, "Northwest on Tour." He played large regional bluegrass festivals and recorded with Sagegrass while living in Las Vegas from 1984-88. Returning to Oregon in 1988, Joe organized and recorded with Joe Ross and Cold Thunder from 1989-1995. One album (“Thunderin’ Bluegrass”) is currently available.
In 2000, Joe Ross (in collaboration with Janet Naylor) released a critically-acclaimed album of instrumental Celtic music in 2000 called "The Harper's Reverie: Irish Music of Turlough O'Carolan." The blind Irish harper's music (from the 18th century) was arranged by Joe (and harmonies written) for various instruments. Currently available on-line in CD or tape formats at Amazon.com or Cdbaby.com, here's what one reviewer says about the project: "I am very pleased! The quality of the music is astounding, not to mention the variety of instruments. This truly is a delightful collection of O'Carolan's music. It will definitely be getting airtime on my show." Melissa Hollopeter, WMTU 91.9 FM Houghton, Michigan
In 2002, Joe released "The Crazy Zoo" an Animal Songfest" in 2002 with over an hour's worth (19 songs) of frolicking, fun-filled family entertainment in the folk and bluegrass tradition to sing along with. Guest artists include Peter Ostroushko, Dean Magraw, Radim Zenkl, Bryan Bowers and others. Available from Amazon.com or Cdbaby.com, one reviewer's words: "Every song and tune is well played and will delight the young, middle aged and older fans who love music. The way Joe phrases and pronounces the words indicate he has been strongly influenced by the folk music in the 1960s. His voice is in the lower vocal range and very enjoyable. Bryan Bowers is well known as a great autoharp player and he gives us some good moments on several songs. Banjo Dan Mazer's five strings speak on "Tennessee Stud" and other songs. This is a wonderful presentation of good music and should find a home in everyone's record collection. This project has been nominated for a Parent's Choice Foundation Fall Award. Sincerely, Frank Overstreet, SPBGMA Bluegrass Music News"
Joe Ross is a long-standing member of "Northwest on Tour" a juried artist roster for regional touring professional artists and musicians. In 1989, he organized the nonprofit Roseburg [Oregon] Folklore Society and has promoted over 200 concerts for artists touring through Oregon. He produced the Myrtle Creek Bluegrass and Arts Festival (aka "Myrtlegrass") in Myrtle Creek, Oregon for 7 years from 1991-97.
Joe Ross is a well-known music journalist who writes articles and CD reviews for national publications such as Bluegrass Unlimited (circulation 35,000), Bluegrass Now, Acoustic Musician, Sing Out!, SPBGMA Bluegrass Music News, Old-Time Music Herald, and many others. He has over 200 published articles within the past 20 years. Joe serves as a staff writer for Bluegrass Now which has a circulation of about 25,000. Joe is a five-time nominee for SPBGMA “Feature Writer of the Year” Award. He contributes a weekly music review column to the North County News (based in Sutherlin, OR.). He’s a regular contributor to over three dozen music-related websites and listservs, and has achieved “Top 500 reviewer” status on Amazon.com with nearly 1,000 album & book reviews posted there.
A multi-year award winner in the Portland Music Assn. Songwriting Contest, Joe Ross’ latest or forthcoming album feature all original material he has written during the past four decades. His 2006 album release “Festival Time Again” has all-original bluegrass songs (written by Joe) and features members of The James King Band, Ronnie Stewart, Tim Crouch, Randy Kohrs, Scott Vestal, Bryan Bowers, Radim Zenkl, and others. In addition to these artists, his 2007 album release “Spirit of St. Louis” features the Missouri-based bluegrass group, Cedar Hill, singing his award-winning “Mother’s Songs.” The album is an 80th anniversary tribute to Lindbergh and his famous solo flight in May, 1927 across the Atlantic from New York to Paris.
Joe Ross’ 2008 album release “Bluegrass Alphabet” has all-original bluegrass songs and features members of The James King Band, Cold Thunder, Ronnie Stewart, Tim Crouch, Randy Kohrs, Scott Vestal, Bryan Bowers, Radim Zenkl and others.
Joe has won or placed in various regional band and instrument contests. He currently performs regularly in various configurations: 1)solo in a highly-entertaining, educational and interactive "Roots of Bluegrass" Show which traces the evolution of bluegrass from the British Isles to Appalachia to today, and which demonstrates up to ten different instruments; 2)duo at weddings and receptions with wife, Kathleen, on classical harp, and Joe primarily on hammered dulcimer; 3)trio in The Celtic Tradition with Janet Naylor on harp, and Linda Danielson on fiddle, doing traditional dance music and songs from Celtic lands; 4)playing electric bass and mandolin in Douglas County's hot country band, Lombardo 'n The Guyz, which also offers a taste of Cajun, Western Swing and Bluegrass in their contemporary country mix; 5)swinging gypsygrass music with the HotQua String Band; 6)classic jazz standards from the hit parade with the guitar/bass/mandolin trio of “Moonglow” or “YoHi Brothers”; 7)touring in his professional bluegrass quintet, “The Joe Ross Band,” which presents an eclectic mix of material to emphasize their versatility and originality.
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