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Vermillion guitarist/vocalist Joe Bell has been active in the jump jive jazz category of music in northeastern Ohio for many a moon. So more than one eyebrow was raised when his latest recording appeared and it was a seriously different style: Gospel Music. To gain insight into Bell's latest career phase, he recently swapped thoughts with OhioOnline's music correspondent Peanuts.
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| OO: |
Did you grow up in Vermillion? |
| JB: |
"I was born in Cleveland and went to Rocky River High. I went to college at Kent State, the University of Wyoming and Baldwin Wallace before moving to Vermillion." |
| OO: |
What national acts have influenced your song writing? |
| JB: |
"NRBQ, Todd Rundgren, Eric Clapton, Little Feat and the Grateful Dead." |
| OO: |
How would you describe the music? |
| JB: |
"I currently lead the Swing Lizards, a band I put together in 1989. I'd say they are swing, jump blues, jazz and rock. Before that I was an acoustic performer. As for PROPHET SHARING, I'd say the styles were rock, folk and blues." |
| OO: |
Any big concerts over the years? |
| JB: |
"We've played with a bunch of acts including Rolling Stones former guitarist Mick Taylor, Grammy winner Johnny Copeland, NRBQ, The Stray Cats, Duke Robbillard, Maynard Ferguson, Grand Funk Railroad and many others. I've always wanted to perform with Delbert McClinton, but never have." |
| OO: |
I take it you now want to play with some gospel acts as well? |
| JB: |
"Phil Keaggy, Steven Curtis Chapman and many of the funk gospel acts out there." |
| OO: |
Any bands from around the state you'd match up with? |
| JB: |
"We've double billed with a lot over the years. Kenny Anderson & The Power City Horns were one of my favorites. Walkin' Cane & The Bad Boys of Blues. A band I think would be interesting to share the stage with is 15-60-75, the Numbers band." |
| OO: |
Where was PROPHET SHARING cut? |
| JB: |
"Magnetic North Productions at Landmark Recording. All my Lizards discs were recorded with Chris Keffer from Magnetic North and I always love working with Jim Hillenbrand at Landmark. Both are outstanding professionals and I always learn something new during the mixing and mastering process." |
| OO: |
Favorite Ohio Venue? |
| JB: |
"Hard to say. We've played a lot of the bigger ones including Cleveland Browns Stadium and Jacobs Field in Cleveland. I guess I'll say wherever the crowd is rocking." |
| OO: |
Long term plans? |
| JB: |
"To keep making music, to keep the Swing Lizards and my solo career moving. To be a great father, to travel the globe and then make it to heaven." |
