about joe
From the early days of playing pedal steel guitar with Heartwood way back in 1972 to a five-year stint as Reba McEntire’s sax player and Musical Director, I’ve played with some of the best. And a few of the others too! There’s no question that anyone who survived 42 years with the notorious Good Humor Band is a wildman, or insane, it’s a fine line! What a sweet sounding line it is.
The Joe McGlohon Story
My distinctive tenor sax playing has been heard live around the world and on the recordings of over 30 major label artists, including Reba McEntire, Etta James, Delbert McClinton, Gov’t Mule, T. Graham Brown, Bonnie Bramlett, and John Hall. [Check them out here]
I started on alto sax at the age of 13, having learned the basics of melody, harmony, and theory on piano from my dear music teacher mother. My strongest early influence was classic American R&B music of the ‘60s, in particular Jr. Walker and the All Stars. The ‘70s saw me playing sax and pedal steel guitar in rock and country-rock bands, making the move to tenor sax in 1979 and creating a style uniquely my own.
I’ve traveled the world touring with various artists, including playing at Radio City Music Hall, Wembley Stadium, the Kotobel Jazz Festival in Crimea, Ukraine, and every major arena in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. TV appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show (both with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno), The Arsenio Hall Show, and over 100 (YES, ONE HUNDRED!) Grand Ole Opry performances.
After having lived in Nashville for 25 years performing live and recording, I took the big leap and moved to London in 2011. I still perform when there’s not a virus bringing things to a grinding halt (!), teach music to high school students, and record in my home studio. I’m available for overdubs and session work, continuing to be involved in all things saxophone! Doubling on acoustic and electric guitars is a big plus as well.