| Joe Firstman | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Genres | Adult Alternative, Rock |
| Instruments | Piano, vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | Atlantic Records, Firstman Music, Inc., Rock Ridge Music |
| Website | http://www.joefirstman.com/ |
Joe Firstman is an American adult alternative rock musician. Former musical director for Carson Daly's house band on Last Call with Carson Daly on NBC. His latest release was 2010's "Live at The Treehouse".
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Born Joseph Mark Fuerstman on December 12, 1979, Firstman started his musical career in the mid-1990s as a teenager in Charlotte, North Carolina. Performing with local bands within the region created a buzz that would be sustained over the next six years. Joe and other local teenage musicians won the Charlotte "Battle of the Bands" competition made up largely of adult professional musicians. The local music scene took notice, and the band known as "Isabel Sol" performed locally at renowned venues that housed famous acts such as R.E.M.. In 1998, the band changed its name to "Firstman" and moved its base to Raleigh, North Carolina.
By 1999, "Firstman" was well known in the Carolina's college scene. It had become a mainstay supporting act for most regional and national bands that came through the area, including Far Too Jones, Edwin McCain, Jupiter Coyote, Blue Dogs, and Hobex. The band was featured as the "Backroom Band of the Week" by Raleigh's 96-Rock station.
In 2001, Joe decided to attempt a personal journey towards stardom. He quit his wait job at Southend Brewery and Smokehouse in Raleigh, NC, and packed his bags. He bought a one-way Greyhound bus ticket and went to Hollywood. Joe met other local Sunset Strip musicians and made a name for himself as a local act. Joe formed a new band under the same band name of "Firstman" and obtained a number of gigs at small venues such as Whisky a Go Go, The Troubador, and others. Along the way, Joe wrote and performed with signed musicians such as members of The Black Crowes.
In 2003, Firstman was signed by Atlantic Records. His album, The War of Women, was released. In support of this record, Joe put together a band and went on tour nationally, opening for acts such as Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Josh Kelley, Jason Mraz, Michelle Branch, and Lisa Marie Presley. Though he and his band never achieved commercial success, they are notable for having helped launch the career of My Morning Jacket guitarist Carl Broemel, who played in the band at that time.
In 2005, Firstman was dropped by Atlantic Records and worked as the full-time house band for "Last Call with Carson Daly" until 2009.
In 2009, Joe signed to Rock Ridge Music and released El Porto, his first full-length recording in 3 years.
In 2010, Joe performed at Hotel Carolina, an annual two-day singer-songwriter festival held in South Carolina.
In September 2011, Joe released another studio album, "Swear It Was A Dream" through his own label, 1stman Music.
In mid-2011, eleven songs were released as a self-title album by the band The Cordovas. The band is made out of Joe Firstman, Jaron Lowenstein, Jon Loyd, Johnny Gray, Parker Gins and Toby Weaver. The album was made available as a free download on the band's official website [1] as well as other traditional paying outlets.
The songs Old Dog and All I Found had videos released online.
In the fall of 2011, the band went on a three months tour of the Midwest and east coast.