Backstage with Joe George

From the Seats to the Stage: Joe George Returns Home to Play

To get ready for his upcoming show at the Peoria Civic Center on March 5th, Peoria local Joe Shadid, known better as Joe George, sat down for a phone interview with Civic Center intern, Kristin Drew. Read on to learn about how Joe’s music career got started, his musical memories of growing up in Peoria and so much more! Visit his website at JoeGeorgeMusic.net!

How did you get into music and performing?

I was about 10 when I started. That was about 20 years ago now. I was into music as long as I can remember.  When I was growing up, there were records all around the house. My parents listened to good music and my extended family, cousins, aunts, and uncles, they were always there listening to The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. It was a big part of growing up. I wanted to play guitar as a kid. I snuck to Coconuts, the record store, when I was younger. I had to cross Knoxville to get to the record store, which was the big busy street, and I wasn’t supposed to be doing that by myself, but I did it and I got The Beatles’s A Hard Day’s Night, and then after I heard that I had to play the guitar. I was up past my bedtime listening to the record, you know my bedtime at this point was probably 9 or 9:30, but I would stay up listening to that record. One night I just went into my parents’ room and asked them if I could play the guitar, then that Christmas they got me a guitar.

Where did you go to school?

I went to Peoria Notre Dame for high school, and I went to college in Boston at a school called Berklee College of Music.

Besides the record store that you would go to, were there any other Peoria influences in your music?

When I was really little, I used to see Preston Jackson. He’s a Peoria guy, and he was always doing his thing, so I remember being a kid and seeing him a couple times, and being super impressed with him. I was always really impressed by anyone doing live music. If that was ever happening at an event as a kid, I wouldn’t be a part of the conversation anymore, I would just be sitting in front of the stage listening to whoever was playing.

Did you used to come to shows at the Civic Center when you were younger?

Yeah, the first concert I ever went to was Steve Miller Band at the Civic Center Arena. It was incredible. I was probably 11 or 12, and it was a birthday party with some friends and it was crazy. Then the following year I saw Def Leppard, Ted Nugent and KISS. My brother, who’s really close in age to me, he’s just a year older than me, whenever someone was coming to the Civic Center, we would just basically beg my parents until they gave in, and looking back I’m really surprised they were like, “Yeah, sure, go to KISS, you’re 12, but yeah, go see what KISS is all about, rock ‘n’ roll.”

Can you tell me a little about the work you do with Reverb.com in Chicago?

Reverb.com is a marketplace for musicians, so you can buy or sell any gear and it’s a really quickly growing company. I do a few different things there. I go about once a week, and I play in videos. They shoot me playing, and I do gear demos. So with that, I’ll demonstrate a new guitar, or a new pedal from  a certain company, and I’ll play it and talk about how it works and whatnot. I also do lesson videos where I teach a certain style or a certain artist. I’ll do a video on David Bowie guitar tones, or George Harrison solos or whatever it is, so it’s cool. I have some freedom there to bring stuff to the table that I feel is important. The online video thing was kind of weird to me at first, but it’s cool. It’s gone really well and I plan to keep doing that. It’s really cool when people recognize me on the street because they’ve learned something from a video, and that’s always great to hear that it’s working.

What are your favorite places to perform in Chicago?

Over the years I’ve played more rock ‘n’ roll and hard rock music, and some of my favorite places to play are Empty Bottle, Hideout, House of Blues, Metro…those are all rock clubs that are all nice and gritty, Chicago rock type of scene. Probably one of my favorite places that I’ve played so far is this theater in Michigan called the Acorn Theater. It’s in Three Oaks, Michigan, and it’s this insanely cool theater that’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. I played there last year, and I’m going again to play there the week after the Civic Center show. It’s just a really beautiful place that’s supported by an unbelievable community of people who go and support everything that gets done there, so it’s a very cool vibe.

What about in Peoria?

Usually if I’m doing a gig when I’m coming home, it’s usually just kind of a fun laid-back thing at Kenny’s Westside Pub.  It’s a lot of fun because you see people there hanging out, but you can tell they’re listening to the music too, which is important for a guy like me who wants to make music for people.

What music are you listening to now?

I listen to a lot of Tom Waits. I’m constantly listening to Beethoven and Debussy and other classical composers.

 How did you meet and recruit the other people who play with you?

The band that played on the record is my roommate and cousin, Paul Grill, he’s a drummer. So we live together and we play together and record together on various projects and on other people’s records. The bass player is a dear person to me. He and I were roommates in college and he’s simply the greatest musician that I’ve ever known. He’s very humble, he’s not a flashy musician. So he came in, he lives in Brooklyn, but he came to Chicago for the recording and we had such a great time. That’s Jeremy McDonald. A couple months after we did the record, we started touring, and they were both in my touring band as well, along with another guitar player from New York named Chris Parker. This time around, I still have Paul playing drums, and then the bass player is Peoria native, Brandon Newberry. He’s got immense talent. He’s so good at so many things, and I’m really excited for him to be playing with us at the Civic Center.

What’s an average day for you like?

I wake up, not too terribly early, then I make myself a cup of coffee, and that process is pour over. I make pour over coffee and I make it VERY strong. So then I sit with my cup of coffee either at the piano or with my guitar, and just kind of start reading or playing a little bit to open my mind for the day. Then I get to job stuff that I have to do, like emails, contracts, booking or Reverb stuff. My days are kind of sprinkled with that kind of stuff on the business end, but mostly writing or recording, either for myself or for other projects that I have due dates for, if I have to record something for another artist or something. It involves a lot of writing, playing and composing. Then I usually drink some wine around 6.

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians, especially for aspiring local musicians?

There’s so much…I would say the most important thing is to play the way that you want to play. Perform the way that you feel is doing you right. If your soul is getting fed and your heart is getting fed from your performance or your writing, that’s what you have to do.  It sounds cliché, but the most important thing to do is to do whatever you heart is telling you to do.  Play what your heart is telling you to play. That’s going to come off genuine, that’s going to come off real, and in the long run, that’s what’s going to make the mark.

Catch Joe George and SMD &The Underground at the Peoria Civic Center on March 5th! Learn more about the event and get your tickets here!

Check back often for more Backstage Access articles, videos!

10 Questions with Dan Evans

 

Meet Dan- our right-hand man who knows the building like the back of his hand. As part of the PCC team for over 7 years now, Dan has earned his way to the position of Event Services Manager.

When you first started at the PCC, did you ever envision becoming the ESM?

Never!  I started as an AV tech and have worked my way to here.  It started as a job just to make some extra money as I went to culinary school, but plans changed quickly.

What does a typical day look like for someone in a ESM’s shoes?

Since I am in charge of overseeing the entire events department, there is a lot of time spent putting out small fires and teaching.  With our facility being so huge and having many different types of venues there is a lot to learn it usually takes about a year to learn all of the in’s and out’s of the building.  On top of that I also plan and execute my own events throughout the year.

If you had the chance to bring your favorite band ever to the PCC, who would be playing in Peoria?

Coheed and Cambria, in the theater.

What is the most important achievement you hope to accomplish at the PCC?

To simply be the best leader, coworker and employee that I can be.  If you are in this business for accolades you are in the wrong business!

Do you have a daily routine that helps you have a successful and productive day?

Staying on task.  In our profession it is really hard to stay in a routine due the hectic and chaotic nature of the job.  If you come into work thinking you are going to do one thing, it is inevitable that things will change and you won’t get to that task.  So being able to start something, drop it completely, do something else for 2 hours then pick right back up is very important.

If you had to choose another job, what would it be?

A meteorologist.

If you could play one character in any movie, what character would it be?

Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.

What is the best compliment you/the PCC has ever received?

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to receive the HOIHA manager of the year award.  It was really a shock to me but very humbling since so many of my clients and people I have worked with decided on that award.  It was nice to see that all of the hard work put in over the years was appreciated.

Who is the most exciting celebrity/artist that you have gotten to meet since being ESM?

Sitting down with Ron White outside on a nice summer day was pretty neat.  It is always amazing when the artist or talent comes up and thanks you personally for the work that you did for them.  We don’t often get a chance to meet anyone, they stay pretty secluded but when you do it is fun and you know it is genuine because they go out of their way to say hello.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Always pursue your passion and dreams.  You don’t have a chance to go back!  Better to try and fail then to never have tried and wonder what if!

Check back soon for more Backstage Access videos, articles, and more!

On the Phone: Winter Jam’s Andy Mineo

Winter Jam’s Tour Spectacular 2017 hits the Peoria Civic Center Arena February 12th, filling the stage with top Christian artists from all around. We got the privilege to talk with Christian Hip Hop artist Andy Mineo, who called us from Nashville where they are hitting an early tour stop. 

How did you get involved in performing and combining Christian music with hip-hop?

When I was 12 or 13 I started writing and rapping, and then got my own studio equipment and started producing for people from my basement when I was 16 or 17. I went to college after that pursuing a degree in Audio Technology, Sound Design and Music.

What is life on the road like?

It’s waking up every day in a new city, and enjoying coffee from new places every morning. It keeps us busy, but it’s nice to have a few spare bunks on my bus to have producers and friends visit and jam during our spare time.

What is your favorite thing about the Winter Jam Tour?

That’s easy- having all the details and tour stops planned out for us makes it so nice and easy to focus on music and the message we are trying to send.

What is your favorite place that the Winter Jam Tour has taken you?

Pittsburgh- the culture and shops, and coffee are really great there. Plus, we have some friends and a Pittsburgh Pirate player that gave us great places to stop in to.

How does being on tour affect your personal life? 

It’s hard being away from my family and my church, and my wife who is in school. We have been married for almost two years and I make sure to use my time off to come home and be with her. Once she graduates she will get to hop on tour with me which will be great.

What is your goal, or the one message you want to share with your fans?

I want to create music that inspires people to enjoy what they have, strive for what they want, and remember what they need.

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m working on a mixtape, a collaboration and a personal album, so I’m staying busy!

What does the world need more of right now?

We have to stand up for people who aren’t like us. If we don’t do that now, there will be no one left to stand up for us when we need it.

Don’t miss the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular 2017 on Sunday, February 12th at 6pm. For more information on the show and how to get tickets, click here.

Check back for more Backstage Access coming soon!

On the Phone: Winter Jam’s Andy Mineo

Winter Jam’s Tour Spectacular 2017 hits the Peoria Civic Center Arena February 12th, filling the stage with top Christian artists from all around. We got the privilege to talk with Christian Hip Hop artist Andy Mineo, who called us from Nashville where they are hitting an early tour stop. 

How did you get involved in performing and combining Christian music with hip-hop?

When I was 12 or 13 I started writing and rapping, and then got my own studio equipment and started producing for people from my basement when I was 16 or 17. I went to college after that pursuing a degree in Audio Technology, Sound Design and Music.

What is life on the road like?

It’s waking up every day in a new city, and enjoying coffee from new places every morning. It keeps us busy, but it’s nice to have a few spare bunks on my bus to have producers and friends visit and jam during our spare time.

What is your favorite thing about the Winter Jam Tour?

That’s easy- having all the details and tour stops planned out for us makes it so nice and easy to focus on music and the message we are trying to send.

What is your favorite place that the Winter Jam Tour has taken you?

Pittsburgh- the culture and shops, and coffee are really great there. Plus, we have some friends and a Pittsburgh Pirate player that gave us great places to stop in to.

How does being on tour affect your personal life? 

It’s hard being away from my family and my church, and my wife who is in school. We have been married for almost two years and I make sure to use my time off to come home and be with her. Once she graduates she will get to hop on tour with me which will be great.

 

What is your goal, or the one message you want to share with your fans?

I want to create music that inspires people to enjoy what they have, strive for what they want, and remember what they need.

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m working on a mixtape, a collaboration and a personal album, so I’m staying busy!

What does the world need more of right now?

We have to stand up for people who aren’t like us. If we don’t do that now, there will be no one left to stand up for us when we need it.

Don’t miss the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular 2017 on Sunday, February 12th at 6pm. For more information on the show and how to get tickets, click here.

Check back for more Backstage Access coming soon!

Everything You Need To Know About International Ice Racing, From A Professional

Anthony “The British Bulldog”  Barlow (pictured above)  is a three time world champion of indoor international ice racing, a sport centered around fast driving on unpredictable ice. Ice racers ride modified Speedway bikes and quads on indoor ice arenas all over the world. Part of that modification? There are NO BRAKES. Ice racing is easily the fastest sport on ice, which means ice racers have to be professionals at what they do. Barlow has been involved with ice racing for over a decade now, so Civic Center intern, Kristin Drew, went to him for all her questions about the world of international ice racing. Keep reading for the full interview!

How did you get involved with ice racing?

–I used to race on dirt tracks, and I started racing on ice in 2004. I had $250 to my name after coming out off the dirt, and I got invited to come to the Ice Racing World Championships. It was me and six other guys and I was the worst racer on the track, but I came out and won the World Championship, then I won it twice more after that, and the rest is history.

What’s a day in your life like?

–Well, it really seems to be a lot easier when you’re younger to do what I do. I’m 44 now.  Now I have to deal a lot with getting the dates set, getting the riders, and all that, and it really takes more than one person. I have two friends that help me a lot with all that.

What’s the biggest difference between racing on ice and on dirt?

–The big difference is in the bikes. You’ve got to detune them, put spikes on the tires and all that so that you can drive them on the ice.

There’s no brakes in ice racing, so how do you stop?

–It’s really kind of hard to explain. Once you hit the finish line, you shut off the engine and that’s like braking. That slows you down when you’re done. If somebody falls off their bike in front of you while you’re racing, though, all you can really do is pray because you’re going to hit them, there’s really no way to avoid it. If that happens, there’s probably going to be a pileup because then you’ll fall and somebody’ll hit you, and then they’ll fall.

Where are some of the other racers from?

–We have them from all over, really. I’m from England, we have a guy from Scotland. There’s one from New Jersey, one from Washington, we’ve had a few Australians and we’ve also got some local guys who are from Danville and Peoria. Ice racing is a really cool thing for a lot of these professional racers because, like in England, a lot of the guys race all summer, but then when winter comes they have nothing to do. They’ve got to go get a normal job, but with ice racing, they can just keep racing all year.

Catch Barlow and all the other international ice racers at the Civic Center on February 9th for Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson Presents X-Treme International Ice Racing!