Brandon Twp – At 13, Brandon Township resident Randy Joseph, protested accordion lessons. His mother, heeding the need for the lessons, drove her son through the firey riots of Detroit in the summer of 1968.
The young man told his mother, the gospel according music he was learning didn’t fit a musician’s image.
‘I used to say ‘but mother, Elvis is more popular than the accordion,?? remembered Joseph.
‘She wanted me to be a preacher and she didn’t like the way Elvis moved his hips.?
Those lessons, talent, and a bit of fate brought the gangly young man into a lifetime of music, making a name for himself in the world of bluegrass.
Joseph is the founder of the band ‘Blue Harvest Boys,? blending the sound from Joseph, Lee Kaufmann, Michael Francis and Peter Wolf, whose first CD, ‘Blue Harvest Comes to Town? has developed a strong following among elemental bluegrass fans, with air time on WCXI, CTI in New Brunswick, Canada, CXI 1160 from Fenton, and WSDS in Ypsilanti.
‘Fifteen years ago Peter Wolfe and I met in a park in Rochester on a summer afternoon,? said Joseph.
‘He had a banjo and when I saw it was a Gibson I knew he was serious enough to play,? he continued, ‘from that day on we formed our original group.?
Joseph is a singer/songwriter and also provides the intricate sounds of the mandolin and banjo to the mix.
After playing together a few years the group was able to showcase their multi-talents in Southfield.
‘Roy Cobb and the Coachman really loved our harmony and got us started on small festivals,? said Joseph.
‘Then he wanted us in the Michigan ‘Loop? of talent and as a result big festivals this summer.?
This is a big change for us going from club settings to festivals,? he said.
In addition Francis and Joseph play their own compositions at the Blue Note Cafe? in Pontiac.
Recently the group headlined the Bluegrass Festival in Pontiac and are to be a featured act in the ‘who’s who? of Michigan Bluegrass music 22nd Annual Fall Color Music Fest in Nirvana, Mi.
‘The biggest story here is we have carved a niche for ourselves in this bluegrass venue,? Joseph said.
‘We’re picking up steam and this is a great shot in the arm for us.?
‘In spite of all the hardships this venue presents we’re passing on the bluegrass tradition along? with our own twist.?
Joseph has been playing in small local bands and community events since the early ?70’s but says the Fall Color Festival is rubbing elbows with all the right people in the world of bluegrass.
‘This is really exciting for us,? said Joseph.
‘There is some of the best talent in Michigan at this festival.?
‘These guys are the real thing,? Joseph said of the Blue Velvet, R & L Bluegrass Express, Wandell Smith and the Apple Blossome, all leading acts at the fall festival.
‘I’m so proud to be on the same docket with these musicians,? Joseph said.
If bluegrass music heals the soul, then Joseph has the market cornered in cures.
By day Joseph has been a registered nurse, caring for patients the first 10 years of his career in the intensive care unit, then the next 15 years in the emergency room of North Oakland Medical Center.
In his personal life the father of six, however, has spent a lifetime administering doses of music to those around him and credits the patience and support of his sisters Myra, Carol, and Elaine along with wife Linda.
Joseph also credits sneaking into his father’s room to play his old Gibson guitar, when he was a child, the three nights a week at church, and his father’s Kentucky background for giving him a love for gospel-ish sound of bluegrass music.
‘My dad had a 1945 D028 Gibson guitar from Grinnells,? remembered Joseph ? he bought it for $200.?
‘I’d sneak into his bedroom, open that case’smell that old spruce? and play his guitar.?
While music and medicine has been a consuming lifestyle for Joseph, he has endured personal highs and lows that did not go unnoticed.
On Jan. 6, 2000, Joseph ran the Olympic torch, alongside Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios in Detroit.
‘The Olympic committee did an in-depth interrogation and because of resilience to some obstacles I’ve overcome in my life, they invited me to run,? Joseph said.
‘Besides now, that was one of the neatest times in my life’I’ve been very lucky. Thank God for my talent and all those years of music lessons,? he said.
The group can be reached at BlueHarvestBoys@aol.com.