“He’s the
next Waylon Jennings.”…
CEO of International Airplay Nashville, Tennessee
“If
you like David Allen Coe, John Prine, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash you’ll
love Motongator Joe!”Neil
Merrick Project Engineer for Randy Travis, Sara Evans, Garth Brooks, Pam
Tillis and George Jones
Having already sold thousands of
CD’s and achieving radio play throughout the United States and parts of
Europe,
consolidated newsprint says
“Motongator Joe is nothing
short of being a cult phenomenon that will surely compliment country music.”
The success Motongator Joe has
already realized has proven that the ‘keep it simple’ country style that he
emanates is still alive and well…and well received. Many people in the
country music business have commented that the ‘old way’ of making country
music is gone….Joe says “That’s why I’m Markin’ Territory.” Living well on
his 120 acre ranch in Michigan. “Make hay while the sun shines,” Joe’s
father always says. It seems the sun is shining bright for Motongator Joe,
with a new management deal in Nashville Tennessee his debut single “She’s
Got My Heart” was acknowledged by the American Academy of Country Music with
an invitation to attend the A.C.M. Awards in Las Vegas which aired
5-26-04. This recognition has also allowed Motongator Joe to embark on his
2006 Holler-n-Swaller Tour which got underway in January of 2006 taking him
from the upper Midwest and plains states up to within 400 miles of the
arctic circle in northern Alberta, Canada. With a southwest leg in the
works for the rest of the tour, the sun is sure to be shining even
brighter.l
Born the only boy of five children,
Joseph Grinsteiner grew up on a beef farm in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan, fondly known as the “U. P.”, which makes him a “Yooper” by birth
and proud of it. His father, Rich (Gator) Grinsteiner, did whatever it took
to raise his family including 14-16 hour days and many hardships. His mother
Sherrie, worked as a County Sheriff’s Deputy. Joe’s house was filled with
the sounds of Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, along with all of the other
eight track cowboys. He began as a musician at age ten and music never left
his side. At a very young age Motongator Joe had his own full time radio
show and was well on his way as a business man. With many ventures including
a syndicated radio program and several successful night clubs, it was
obvious that Joe knew the people, knew what they wanted and knew how to get
it done. Even at his young age Joe succeeded at all he did.
In 1993 Motongator Joe decided to
turn the reins of his lucrative night club business over, to have the
ability to perform on the other side of the bar. Being from Michigan and
touring the Midwest for the last ten years has had its advantages when it
comes to developing a large, strong following for this “in
your face” country artist.
Motongator
Joe is the first country music artist from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
to secure a nationally released cut on country radio ( “She’s Got My Heart”
January, 2004 on CDX #336 Track 15 ). Over 730 confirmed radio stations
have Motongator Joe in current rotation.
With his
Markin’ Territory C.D. “Motongator Joe” contributes greatly to country music
without catering to it. . .
Nashville
Scene Magazine
Feeling
that the public had been deprived of their back to the basics country music,
in 1996 Joe formed the “Motongator Movement.” Over 5000 people annually
respond to Joe’s vision by hauling campers out to the largest
ALL
Country Music Festival in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, The Motongator Country
Music Festival. This vision grows every year and has brought radio,
television and newspapers together, along with major sponsors such as Ford,
Polaris, Fox Television and Time Warner, just to name a few. They all
continue to endorse Joe by supporting his latest endeavor……
Markin’ Territory
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