Singer/songwriter Doug DeJoe returns to his hometown for a special concert with friends! His performance will feature slice of life songs all about growing up in what he considers “the best small town in America.”
It was in Fredonia, growing up in the “Little Italy” neighborhood that he learned about family, friendship, good food, good humor, confession on Saturday, church on Sunday, lake effect snowstorms, sandlot football, and how to throw a baseball.
He also learned about music, being taken under the wings of journeyman musicians Marshall Seddon and Pete Howard and playing the many barrooms and gin mills in this blue collar town.
After college at the State University of New York at Fredonia and St. Bonaventure University, DeJoe taught high school English at his adopted hometown of Hinsdale, NY, before moving to Nashville when offered a staff songwriting position by Chuck Howard of Great Cumberland Music.
In Nashville, DeJoe began writing with Keith Follese, who has penned many country hits. Two of his and Follese’s songs landed on country artist Joe Nichols’ debut album including “Six of One, Half Dozen of the Other,” his first single and a CMT Hot Shot video.
DeJoe then went on to write for Horipro Entertainment under the tutelage of Combine Music publisher and Modern Music Row pioneer Rob Becham. He also was staff writer for Bob Morrison Music and continues a musical relationship with Russ Zavitson of SMG, who published DeJoe’s first song, “Pretty Good Shape for the Shape I’m In” in 1991.
DeJoe’s songs have been recorded by several musical artists, but his proudest recordings are those done with his band, The Bloomlaters, which took flight in 2003. DeJoe and the Bloomlaters released two albums, Jesus Drives an Oldsmobile in 2005 and Headlines in 2009. They currently are recording their third album at Quakehouse Studios in Nashville with their longtime producer and consigliere, Caesar Cirigliano.
DeJoe now calls the Pacific Northwest home, living outside of Seattle-Tacoma in the idyllic Puget Sound town of Gig Harbor.
Opening for DeJoe will be Russ St. George.
Part of the Folk in Fredonia Gilman Family Music Series
