Raised in the shadow of Billy Bob's, one of Texas's legendary honky tonks, Joel Thetford grew up in Fort Worth listening to the sounds of classic country radio and the wide variety of rock and roll, blues, and folk music that the Texas scene provided. His career as a bull-rider landed him eventually in Stephenville, where the Texas Country scene was booming. With acts like Gary Stewart, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Robert Earl Keen, making regular stops in town, those were Joel's earliest and strongest influences as he began writing songs. While living with Will Mallett of the Mallett Brothers Band Joel was inspired by the band and one of the most famous folk singer/songwriters of our generation David Mallett to record his first album in 2015. Since then Joel has released 12 albums.
Joel’s new album ‘Guitars Outlaws and Unforgettable Tales’ features Grammy Award winner Dave Gutter who co-wrote, produced, and recorded the album. The album was mastered by Grammy Award winner Adam Ayan and mixed my Jonathan Wyman. Joel Thetford has become a fixture in the songwriting community and has been featured as supporting act/shared the stage with Dwight Yoakam, Alabama, Shooter Jennings, Asleep At The Wheel, James McMurtry, Darby Wilcox, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Hayley Thompson-King, Jake Hill and Deep Creek, Josh Morningstar, John Craigie, Scott Biram, The Alternate Roots, Barns Courtney, and many more. Joel has also appeared at the Heart Soul & Substance Festival, Sunaana Winter Music Festival, and AllRoads Music Festival.
Joel played a key role in bringing education and jobs in the audio/engineering field to Portland Maine. Joel also has been the host the past 3 years for the monthly Songwriters in The Round at Blue.
It’s a god-dang masterpiece. Grammy people, give Joel Thetford one them statues next year, and give Gutter ’nother one, too, ’cause them boys at the head of the herd!He’s done made hisself a work of gen-u-ine art, a truly powerful album that’ll get you laughin’, cryin’, whoopin’ and wonderin’ how in tarnation he and Dave pulled it off. I don’t wear no Stetson hat, but if I had one, it’d be taken off in the presence of Joel Thetford from now on. (The BolLard)
Joel Thetford plays a country mix of troubadour style songs that have spawned from the border of Texas and Maine. He may have been born in Texas, perhaps even grew to be a man there, but he's made in Maine and the heartache and yarns he spins float down the street from Marfa to Bangor. The songs that give a glimpse to the internal workings of the loss of luck, love, or your keys. You may even see the torch of Jay Farrar & Jeff Tweedy in the darkness between his lyrics. They are hiding in the fallout shelter. (NBC News Center Maine)
JOEL THETFORD has proven that not only is he prolific, he's also consistent. With his new album "Battery Steele", Thetford's hard, unrelenting work has paid off once again with 6 memorable songs worth checking out. (Mainebrews n musicreviews)
Joel Thetford’s Superb EP Battery Steele Leaves you wanting more. The depth and quality of the texas native’s rapidly expanding catalog has secured his position as one of maine’s most important music makers. (maine edge)
There is no question that Joel Thetford is evolving and expanding as an artist and it’s a natural progression (Maine Edge)
Thetford comes from that Texas tradition of Willie Nelsons and Guy Clarks who’ve traded as much on emotional appeal as Southern culture, perfect delivery, and big pipes.(portland phoenix)
Joel Thetford Band’s new live album has charitable component. a fantastic collection of eight songs (Portland Press herald)
Joel and his crew brings you sincerely, heartfelt renditions of his soulful down-to-earth tuneS (rad plaid)
He’s back with another EP this year and he continues to bring authenticity and depth to his music (RED LINE ROOTS)
Joel Thetford and band shine on ‘Broken Things’ EP. ‘Broken Things’ is an exceptional collection of songs from an artist who keeps getting better with each release. (maine edge)
'the outer bank' named one of The best of 2017's new releases (Maine edge)
"Joel Thetford’s voice catches you right away. From the start, you know this guy was born to sing a country song"(RED LINE ROOTS)
The next time you hear someone say “They don’t write country songs like that anymore,” tell them about Texas native Joel Thetford (The Maine Edge)
No Bull: Former rodeo rider gets back to country roots (conway daily sun)
PORTLAND PHOENIX
Thetford’s original country songs aren’t like annoying country ballads we might hear on the radio, that drone on about women in tight torn denim, and drinking cheap beers by the riverbank. Thetford’s music, specifically “Broken Things” and “The Fall,” hearken back to more traditional country music: where songs were tied with real life experiences or personal hurdles. Because of this, his debut EP, Here I Go, is a country music package with substance and some real emotional meat.
Heavily influenced by the classic country music of Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and George Strait, it’s safe to say that Thetford knows the ins and outs of a good country tune. He’s even got rodeo experience as a bull rider in Fort Worth, Texas, so he doesn’t just talk the talk. Thetford is a prime example that real experiences can often result in the most authentic pieces of musical storytelling.
Jeff Beam
