Who Is Joe Burke?
I live in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains nestled in the coalfields of southeast Kentucky. My home town is a small community where everyone knows each other and is a reflection of the good times this area once had. The town is called Neon, or commonly referred to as Fleming-Neon. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, Neon was the happening place with burger joints, coffee shops, a department store downtown and so many thriving businesses. Now, Neon is a shell of its former existence, but the heart of this small community still thrives for the day Neon can have something decent for the youth of Letcher County. This area isn't exactly rich with accommodations, but it makes up for it in the sheer beauty of these Appalachian Mountains.
I come from a long line of singers, songwriters, Baptist ministers and Christian God fearing people. Like them, I am a proud Christian, but I fail so many times that I often am not worthy to be crowned a Christian. I play piano in church, and for the most part sing with my mother and father, Tony and Sondra Burke. We are semi-known in this region as “The Singing Burkes” and we focus on traditional mountain harmony hymns and music. I gave my life to God in 1994, and was saved and baptized at the Millstone Missionary Baptist Church in Millstone, Kentucky in Spring of ’94. I wouldn’t traded a second for God’s grace on my life at this point, so I am thankful every day for his blessings.
What Else Do I Get Involved In?
Blue Man Group: I’m sure by now most people in the latest pop culture world have heard of the Blue Man Group. You Know, those three bald blue guys that don’t speak and do amazing stunts and create music with custom-made instruments. Many people ask me, “Joe, how did you actually get involved with Blue Man?” So here’s the answer in case anyone asks, I am going to refer them her to read this, haha. In 2000, I saw Blue Man Group on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, like many people of that time did. I had recently started college and was taking courses in computer science, programming and graphical design. At a time before YouTube, and video streaming sites were as abundant as they are these days, I took a plunge and conceived the idea of this fan community that would be strictly devoted to Blue Man Group. My passion to learn more about them, and go see their shows grew month by month. On February 14th, 2001 the web site many now know as “The BML” or BlueManLibrary.com, was launched. Almost instantly it was an overnight success. The site grew so fast and so large that within a 4 year time frame, we moved server locations close to 7 times. The unique thing about BML was that the site offered free downloads and media content of Blue Man’s television appearances in a very organized way. Years passed, and Blue Man Group gave us a title in 2004 as the official fan base for all things blue. Now the site is going strong with thousands of members, active fund raising charities to benefit Camp Heartland, an iTunes syndicated podcast/radio show called “Switchback,” a vast download library with 7 years of archived Blue Man Group media, an active chat room and don’t forget the occasional fan contest. It’s very amazing how BML started, and again, it’s God’s hand in my work as being in the right place at the right time. Blue Man Group has allowed me to travel to places I’ve never been, and open my mind to different ways of thinking. For that, I would like to thank all the members of Blue Man Group and the entire host of several thousand fans that frequent my site daily, LOVE YOU ALL.
Appalshop & WMMT FM: It’s no secret that Joe is into art, conservation and helping out my local communities. Appalshop has literally been my safe haven to practice my craft of web mastering, graphic design, audio engineering, video production, on-air broadcasting and photography. Appalshop has given me the tools in life to be myself, and express myself artistically with no limitations. I love the people working at Appalshop & WMMT, and they are all very special to this community whether some want to believe that or not. If you ever need to find me on a weekday, just come by “The Shop” and we’ll have tea and chit chat. WMMT also has literally given me the knowledge to be an on-air personality for several years with long running Friday morning show I host “Crossroads.” You can catch me each and every Friday morning on WMMT 88.7 FM as I play the hits, oldies, rock, country, blues, Americana and just about anything I’m in the mood for. My show runs from 10AM-1PM on Fridays, and you can also catch my show online if you live out of our listening area at wmmtfm.org.
Bounce Radio: With the knowledge and skills from running my own show at WMMT, the thought of tapping into the whole Net Radio world always lurked in the back of my mind. In February 2007, BounceRadio.net went on the digital airwaves, and then ran by former owner Catz. As time rolled one, the station was handed over to me in May 2007, and we launched the station with an all new web site, updated streaming capability and fully interactive listening experience complete with chat room and DJ web cam. In fall of 2007, I handed the reigns as BounceRadio.net owner over to a more qualified man, Mr. John Schulz or known on air as Jammin’ John. With his previous stage management skills working in mainstream radio, we both collaborated and reinvented the BounceRadio.net structure. Bounce Radio is global station broadcasting in CD quality sound in full stereo and the broadcasters are from all over the world. You can catch my show obviously titled, “Crossroads” on Friday night’s right after my Blue Man Group radio show “Switchback.” It’s all Joe, all live and I play all types of musical genres.
Summit City Lounge: How on Earth did I get involved here? Well, long story short, I have been long time friends with Amelia Kirby, and just recently made friends with her husband Joel Beverly. They both own Summit City, and do a remarkable job at reviving downtown Whitesburg. Joel had heard me for a while on WMMT’s Crossroads show that I host on Fridays and asked if I would like to take a role of Open Mic Night MC. 8 months later, I’m still doing the MC’ing for Wednesday night open mics in downtown Whitesburg, Kentucky. I not only MC, but help Joel out with band booking, show promotions, graphic work and consultation on new ideas for the venue. So if you’re in downtown Whitesburg on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday night, more than likely you find hosting the live music scene.
Cane Creek Calls: This is something that blows a lot of people’s minds. I actually help Cane Creek Calls owner Doug Adkins make mouth calls in the summer as a hobby. If you have ever got a turkey call from Cane Creek Calls within the past 3 years, chances are I made that call, providing it’s a latex reed mouth call. Doug is a great man, and fun to be around. I look forward to going to his shop in the summertime and getting my hands a powdered up and making mouth calls. Doug also has a site to that he sells his calls from: canecreekcalls.com. I wasn’t that much of an outdoorsman until I met Doug Adkins. Now I’ve tried all sorts of wild game, including my latest Elk Tenderloin. Doug Adkins, you my friend are a, “Man among Men.”
Film and Video Productions: Another thing I am pretty fond of is my work with film companies that are closing involved with friends of Blue Man Group. Such companies as “Right Here Pictures” and “Downstate Productions” are in my credited line of work. Right Here Pictures, owned by Brian Harrison, released a wrestling documentary of the prime days of old WCCW. The Von Erich’s are in the film with a host of old school wrestling icons of the late 70’s and 80’s. This is when wrestling was real, and before all the glitz and glamour. You can get “Heroes of World Class: The Story of the Von Erich’s.” On DVD now. If you watch the credits, you’ll see my name listed at the end. Pretty cool eh? www.rightherepictures.com
The other film I was involved with was Downstate Productions first film release of “Troubadours.” Produced by blue man actor Tom Galassi and his brother Adam with a host friends and family, the film is an epic documentation of self discovery and takes off masks that society has placed upon us. I have done some art design for posters, web and flyers for Tom and Adam. It was a blast guys, thanks. www.downstateproductions.com
Another Film I helped on was “The Job” directed by blue man actor Brett Gillen. The Job is a twisted comedic foreplay of events, full of twists and turns that both hilarious and down right crazy. I assisted Brett Gillen on the graphical design elements and web structuring. www.whatisthejob.com
Real Life Heroes
Jesus Christ - For a chance to live without pain, sorrow, woes, burdens and no more tears, I'll take Christ anyday as my Savior. You just can't beat salvation.
My main inspiration in life is my father. He's a man of many talents, and just good morals. He's a Baptist minister, and he's been singing around the tri-state area for years.
My other hero would be my high school english teacher Jeff Sergent who taught me to open my mind to new ideas and things. Without him I would have never discovered Vangelis or Blue Man Group. He taught me to find who I am, and to be myself. I am still in contact with him to this day.
