Joe Smothers was born in the Piedmont area of North Carolina in 1950. He grew up on barbecue, chili dogs, Brunswick stew and Elvis. Skinny belts and two tones were replaced in 1964 with Chelsea boots with Cuban heels and long hair thanks to the Beatles. Joe got his first guitar when his mom Betty purchased a Stella at the local pawn shop when he was thirteen. One morning Joe’s dad JM called him to the TV to see a blind guitar player on a local channel in Raleigh, North Carolina. The man’s name was Doc Watson. Little did either one of them know that years down the road Joe would have the honor of becoming a member of Doc and Merle Watson’s band Frosty Morn. Years of touring and more than a dozen albums with Doc, forged a relationship of deep respect. Joe has performed at every Merle Fest along with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jack Lawrence and Peter Rowan. Joe has studied with some of the best including Richard Thompson, Martin Simpson, Jorma Kaukonen, and Shawn Colvin. Joe’s voice is strong and pure. His guitar playing is solid. His mastery in song writing keeps your attention from beginning to end. Another solo project ‘Terpretations was released on Shaped Note Records in 2014. He splits his time between homes in Valdosta, Georgia and Cortez, Florida with his wife Marghy.
