About Joe
It took only a few lessons for Joe's early piano teachers in Brandon, Mississippi to realize they were working with a natural musical talent.
After several years of private instruction with Joyce Hill and Celia Lymberis, Joe began to teach himself, beginning an avid and lifelong pursuit of his musical interests in popular music, Broadway shows, film scores, and great standards.
While studying physics and astronomy at Mississippi State University, Joe approached Dr. Geraldine Collins, the head of the piano department, about taking a piano class to brush up his technical skills.
After his impromptu audition in her studio, Dr. Collins immediately took Joe as her own student and spent the next year attempting to convince him to change his major!
Laughing with Tony & Olivier Award winning singer/actor Shuler Hensley after a corporate event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Despite his decision not to major in piano, Joe was frequently called for "jury duty" for music majors who needed excellent accompaniment for vocal and instrumental juries and recitals. The Mississippi State University Stage/Jazz Band drafted him into service, as did the music department, local high schools, and the local community theatre company. Joe was also the on-call pianist for functions at the university president's home, including events hosting dignitaries from around the world. One memorable highlight was providing music for the VIP reception on the day that President George H.W. Bush served as commencement speaker.
Book Joe! Call 404-644-6791 or email jmt@turnermagic.com.
Playing for leading actor and actress auditions for the ArtsBridge Foundation's Shuler Awards.
Entertaining a crowd of convention-goers in Jacksonville, Florida.
Music continued to permeate Joe's life, both as a musical theatre performer and as a pianist/vocalist. He spent two seasons playing, singing, and acting at Maine State Music Theatre, and later wrote an original musical that has been produced across North America. After moving to Atlanta he accompanied numerous troupes and was the pianist at First Baptist Tucker for seven years. In 2016 he had the opportunity to travel to Budapest and play a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody in a mini-concert at the National Széchényi Library.
Joe and his wife Rosemary have two grown kids and now live in west Tennessee. Since 2000, Joe's primary profession has been public speaking and corporate entertainment. Connect with Joe at turnermagic.com, on his business Facebook page, on Twitter, on Instagram, on LinkedIn, or on his Wikipedia entry.
Book Joe! Call 404-644-6791 or email jmt@turnermagic.com.