Joel 's been singing for as long as he can remember. His first paying gig [he was paid .25 cents by his brother], was for a performance of his "mean" imitation of Ricky Nelson singing "Hello, Mary Lou", while standing in the closet.
Joel was a vocal performance major at Webster College in St Louis, MO.
He began playing guitar in 1972 after receiving a guitar for high school graduation.
Joel was influenced by the popular troubadours of the day, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Jim Croce, & Dan Fogelberg. He then discovered the sounds of Leon Redbone, the country blues of Mississippi John Hurt and vintage jazz styles as well.
Joel spent time in Boston where he was introduced to fingerstyle guitarist, Guy VanDuser and the songwriting and blues style of Chris Smither who both remain strong influences today
While in Boston, Joel performed regularly in bars and restaurants and coffeehouses.
After moving around a lot [Nashville, Houston, St Louis, etc.], Joel and his family landed back in new England and it wasn't long after when he was asked to open for Alex DeGrassi at the Old Vienna Coffeehouse.
Joel dabbled in songwriting all along, but didn't get serious until he was in his mid forties, when his musical abilities and life experiences collided and the songs just began to spill out of him.
Finally settling back in Ferndale, Michigan in 1992, Joel started a once a month listening room called the Acoustic Avenue Coffee House at the First United Methodist Church in Ferndale which ran for 10 years.
After years of performing solo, Joel joined forces with Jim Nichols to form the Blue Jays, a country blues duo. Jeff Royer joined the group on bass and sax and brought a jazz influence to the now trio. Later, they were joined by Joel's son Andrew Palmer on drums. The Blue Jays wrote and performed original music, as well as some covers, at venues and festivals across lower Michigan for several years, establishing itself as a diverse and entertaining ensemble.
At the same time he continued to hone his solo performance technique at various local venues and open mics around town. A regular at The Ark's Open Stage, Joel was selected as one of their "best of", and was featured at the annual Open Stage Showcase.
In late 2002, Jim Nichols left to pursue other interests and Joel and Jeff went on to create their own original blend of folk/blues with a touch of jazz in the duo Wanderin' Wheel.
Joel continues to perform solo in addition to shows with Wanderin' Wheel.
He is an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist and studied vocalist and has mastered the art of interweaving vocal melody with his guitar, creating a second voice as if he's his own duet. His original songs are moving, inspiring, and clever. He'll make you cry, think and smile all in the same set.
A well respected picker, Joel is an active member of the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society [fingerstyle.org].
He moved the Acoustic Avenue Showcase to once a week event at the Coffee Beanery Café in Ferndale.
Joel's been teaching guitar since the late 1970's. He's currently teaching at Plymouth Guitar as well as private lessons at his home studio.
Festival appearances include: Arts, Beat & Eats, Farm Fest, Riverfolk Festival, Who's at First Folk Festival, Ferndale Blues Festival and Blue Sunday Festival.
He's performed at Mama's Coffee House, The Trinity House, The Ark, Acoustic Avenue Coffeehouse, Live from the Living Room.
