By Scott Nelson (with permission from The Bolivar Bullet)
When you think of the Mississippi Delta, one of the first things you think about is music. The Blues was literally born right out of the soil in our region and it is the foundation for much of the music we hear today. Local musician Joe Garcia understands that deep bond and inspiration.
“ I grew up with the Blues and picking cotton with my father” said Garcia. “He was the best role model a son could ever want and he was a musician as well.” Garcia added many of his fondest childhood memories revolve around watching his father’s band as a child. He also vividly remembers sitting with local bluesmen and getting them to show him guitar chords and blues riffs. These experiences played a large role in inspiring him to sing and play guitar, starting around 7th grade. “My friend Ike Brunetti, and several other local guys, got a band started and I have been doing it since then.”
Currently the Joe Garcia Band has 8 members, including a horn section and keyboardist. Garcia said, “We are all local guys feeding off the same inspiration. I am so grateful to play with seasoned, experienced musicians with tremendous talent.” He added that the wealth of experience and common bond allows the members to feed off of each other to the point they don’t have to rehearse as much as other, newer bands because they can mesh with each member’s style much faster.
Garcia is pleased to say in more recent years his band has added a top notch keyboard player in Eric Edwards, as well as a great horn section that has been with the popular band The Krackerjacks in years past. He added, “It really gives us a fuller range of sound and songs and every member also sings vocals.”
Members are:
- Joe Garcia, lead singer
- Steve Lewis, lead guitar/vocals
- Ricky Stone, lead guitar/vocals
- Doug Presswood, lead singer
- Jeff Lorenzo, drums/vocals
- Eric Edwards, keyboards/vocals
- Nate Murphy, trombone/vocals
- Mark Hudson, trumpet/vocals
Garcia said they play a wide variety of music, suited to give audiences a great time, no matter the venue. “We play Octoberfest in Cleveland, festivals in Drew and Gunnison, and many private parties.” Oldies such as Motown classics, Southern rock and classic country are always crowd favorites, he said.
Garcia said several events will be on their schedule soon in the coming year and 2026 promises to be a busy and fun one for the band.
For more videos and information about the band, visit Joe’s Facebook page or call him at 662-719-1035.
