Banjo Joe is a hillbilly singer and banjo picker from southern Illinois performing his original songs plus some of the old time traditionals. Influenced by hillbilly greats like Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones, Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Driftwood, Charlie Poole and other singers of truth and masters of backwoods entertainment. He has played banjo for about fifteen years and toured nationally with the Whistle Pigs. They played over 1,500 shows in 31 states including Harvest, Muddy Roots, and John Hartford festivals, the City Winery in Chicago, George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, AR and Cervantes' Other Side in Denver.  Had a few booking agents and a record deal. He wrote the songs for two Whistle Pigs albums, Long Term Plan (2009) and Bless Your Hearts and Livers (2010)