From a stint at Berklee College of Music, where he hung with fellow student and future legendary guitarist Al DiMeola, to years as Springfield’s reigning rock guitarist in the ’70s, and from a run as sideman to blues-rocker Jerry Doucette of “Mama Let Him Play” fame, to his Nashville years with St. Louis native Greg Guidry, Joe Cooke has played his guitar as naturally as taking a breath. After a short recess in the ’90s, Cooke formed the group that bears his name and continues performing all around central Illinois, doing that JCB trademark sound of high-energy classic rock and fiery electric blues. Bands associated with Cooke from Springfield’s early rock-n-rolling days include Dean and the Sinisters, Hot Ice, Rold Gold, the Plains and Sky High. More recent recipients of Cooke’s bodacious talent include Ragged Jack, Thin Ice and Blues Power among others. The current lineup of JCB contains area stalwarts Eric Tinsley (bass), Dan Shaughnessy (drums), Brad Durbin (lead vocals) and Joe covering the electric guitar like nobody’s business.
From a stint at Berklee College of Music, where he hung with fellow student and future legendary guitarist Al DiMeola, to years as Springfield’s reigning rock guitarist in the ’70s, and from a run as sideman to blues-rocker Jerry Doucette of “Mama Let Him Play” fame, to his Nashville years with St. Louis native Greg Guidry, Joe Cooke has played his guitar as naturally as taking a breath. After a short recess in the ’90s, Cooke formed the group that bears his name and continues performing all around central Illinois, doing that JCB trademark sound of high-energy classic rock and fiery electric blues. Bands associated with Cooke from Springfield’s early rock-n-rolling days include Dean and the Sinisters, Hot Ice, Rold Gold, the Plains and Sky High. More recent recipients of Cooke’s bodacious talent include Ragged Jack, Thin Ice and Blues Power among others. The current lineup of JCB contains area stalwarts Eric Tinsley (bass), Dan Shaughnessy (drums), Brad Durbin (lead vocals) and Joe covering the electric guitar like nobody’s business.