Big Joe Burke

Drawn from the past, but at home with the present, Big Joe Burke brings together the best elements of the old and new combining country, blues, and rock 'n' roll with creative, soulful lyrics and powerful vocals.

For more information, bookings, etc. please contact the band at info@bigjoeburke.com

It isn't just the Big Joe Burke's stature that's big - though Big Joe Burke certainly does fill the stage with his towering presence - it's the manner in which Big Joe reaches his audience that makes him seem larger than life.

Big Joe Burke, a songwriter whose intensely visual, poetic lyrics can best be described as vignettes, delivers a unique fusion of Alternative, Country, Blues, Rock and Soul that clearly draws from the past but is based in the here and now. Big Joe's creative songwriting, meaningful lyrics, catchy, rhythmic, percussive tunes and powerful, heartfelt vocals - combined with his charismatic performances - reach a wide audience in a deep and memorable way.

Young and old from all walks of life connect to Big Joe's sound and songs in a big way - making him an impressive balladeer for the modern age.

Big Joe got his start playing in the smoky clubs of home-town Edmonton as a teen. He grew in musical stature, becoming a songwriter of note, crafting raw and honest lyrics with universal themes of love and heartache. But it is his unique fusion of rock, alternative, country and blues that makes each of Big Joe's songs more memorable than the last.

Big Joe left the music scene to raise a family. But, when his kids grew into independent teenagers, Big Joe could no longer suppress the music, hooking up with some of the most talented musicians in the country. The Big Joe Burke band includes the famous Sandy Bone of SandyBone & the Breakdown, whose talent on the skins have placed him at the top of the Canadian music heap. Bone has been honoured as "Best Canadian Blues Drummer" by Real Blues magazine an unprecedented eight times. He also received a JUNO nomination for his former band, The Twisters, which garnered Best Blues Record of 2003 by The Canadian Independent Music Award.

Rounding out this stellar group is 'in demand' bass man James Lillico, a young upstart who's been seen playing around town with some of the best country, blues and rockabilly bands in Vancouver and the phenomenally talented pairing of Gord 'Gorehound' Smithers on electric and steel guitar and Dave Klein on electric guitar. Gord has played with The Deadcats and is currently a member of several different bands including The Boomchix, The Kon Tikis and Wichita Trip.

With Big Joe at the helm, this stellar group promises to be the next Big thing.