Bio - The Man Behind the Music

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Biography

Joe Jackson was born September 28^th 1956 in Washington, DC. Jackson began playing the guitar at the tender age of 5, at the age of 12 years he began singing in the church choir and by the time turned 14 he started writing songs and playing the piano.
An up and coming local group called the Gospel Messengers had need of his talent so he joined them. Jackson was not just musically inclined there was another dimension to him. The Lord had a call on his life to preach the gospel so at the age of 17 he answered the call.
As Jackson grew musically and spiritually an experienced quartet named the Truetones needed a guitarist so they secured his services. Very soon after joining them, Jackson stepped from behind the guitar to the lead mic and began to perform with them locally and on the road. In the early 1980’s he recorded two albums with the Truetones titled “One More River” and “Jesus Is Calling” featuring the hit “Run And Tell That” written by Jackson.

While recording with the Truetones and aspiring producer named Danny McCrimmon who was playing the drums on the session began to share musical ideas with each other and a unique bond and friendship was formed and this would prove to be pivotal and life changing for both of them.
While performing with the Truetones, Jackson has shared the stage with James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Gospel Keynotes, Clarence Fountain, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Swannee Quintet, The Williams Brothers, The Jackson Southernaires and many others.
In 1986 the Lord called Jackson to pastor and evangelize. Many people were saved, healed and delivered under his ministry. While faithfully pastoring the church in 1992, Ed Gerald executive producer of a local gospel TV show called "Spread A Little Sunshine" approached Jackson about recording a solo project so he remembered the musical bond he had with Danny McCrimmon and he acquired his services and was hired to produce

his debut CD, on EG Records titled “After All I’ve Been Through” featuring the original timeless classic hit “I Still Have Joy” (written Joe Jackson & Danny McCrimmon) featuring Rev. James Moore . It was also recorded by Dorothy Norwood, Elder Ricky McCrimmon and there have been many derivatives of the song. His second CD was recorded in 1995 produced by Denver Wright and William Becton.

Jackson has traveled throughout the United States and abroad to Jamaica and London to preach and sing the gospel. The next few years were challenging for Jackson as he had to give up the church but he never gave up hope and he continues to preach and witness where and whenever the Lord opens a door or opportunity leads.

In 2004 producer/composer Isaiah Thomas approached Jackson about recording the song “Run And Tell That” (originally recorded by the Truetones) for The New Samaritan Mass Choir which became a national hit and was nominated for a Stellar Award.

Up to this point Jackson had not been properly compensated or recognized for the success of the songs he has penned but he continues to say …after all the things I’ve been I still have joy.

One day in the fall of 2006, Jackson reconnected with producer/composer Danny McCrimmon and they began to reminisce about their first project together and were preparing to do the Best of Joe Jackson taking tracks from the previous two CDs and adding 3 new tunes to update and freshen it up but it seemed that God had another purpose in mind and after asking DJ Rogers (a mentor and close friend) to lend his vocals to the project he confirmed it and the rest as they say is history. So with the help of the Lord and their limited resources a new CD titled Joe Jackson "Interpretations Of A Dreamer" has been birthed.