User:Joeyvilcheznardone

Born in San Francisco, California 1959 or 1960 date is unclear. Joey was raised in the culture of his andalucian family from Estepona Spain. As teenagers his maternal grandparents and family immigrated to Hilo, Hawaii. The families later moved to California. Joey's grandmother, taught him to speak Spanish. By the time the little boy turned 5 years old, Joey knew that Music would play an important role in his life. Somehow he would inherit this love of flamenco music from his deceased grandfather José (Joe) Vilchez ,who was known to love flamenco and sing malagueñas. Could this love of flamenco also be the Moorish and Gypsy blood flowing thru his veins? While yet another dimension to this mix is Joey's fathers family, who were also known to be musical and hailed from Bari, Italy and Rome with mixed origins. Joey's paternal grandmother Maria Pacelli, was said to have a very good singing operatic voice, also known to be a cousin of Eugenio Pacelli( Pope Pius X11). There were school and church choirs, and then the young Joey would pursue leads in school and community productions such as "Fiddler on the Roof". At the age of 13, he would form a duo, the young "singing couple" became known as "Joey and Julie". They made a local sensation singing Chicago's "Just you and Me" They would know local fame as people started to talk about the singing duo including local media. At about age 20, due to his similar resemblance to heartthrob Erik Estrada ,he would become the "Ponch" double for "Ron Smith Look Alike's" out of Hollywood. In his early 20's Joey was involved in the "Voices of Joy" musical group at Foothill Jr. College. Continuing a solo career, he would sing at the The Flint Center, plus Major Amusement Parks including "Great America". He branched out singing at Sahara & Harrah's Night Club and Casino's in Las Vegas & Lake Tahoe. Aclaimed as a prolific composer in his own right, he landed his first record contract with an indie label out of Bellingham ,Washington headed by Songwriter/ Publisher Renie Peterson. Then in 1984, Joey signed a major exclusive with "Morada Records" out of Nashville, Tn. The new album was entitled " THE WANDERER". Not only did the album receive an award for best design /concept and layout, the title track of the album " The Wanderer" hit the 'Top Ten" songs with various radio stations throughout the USA. This even hit the local radio Top Ten with Star Song Radio out of Los Gatos, California. What would follow in the next year would be the formation of the " Joe Nardone Band". Members of the band would include Drummer-Rex Baumgartner, Lead Guitarist/Songwriter -Rudie Mahan,Lead Keyboards/Songwriter-Mike Palos,Bass Player-Don Keller- Vocals -Juli Roach,Julie Esmond and later Barb Fernlund...of course Joey. The band would fuse Rock, Jazz and Christian Rock and would travel at local and regional venues, along with television and theme parks. The Band received much recognition , and at the highlight in 1988, the band decided to split . This parting was the end of the past, and the beginning of new endeavors. Nardone also was remaining busy with his new post as singer/spokeperson for WORLD VISION, which actually commenced in 1986 and ended in 1992. The years to come, led Nardone to seek new direction with his life and music. Traveling & singing /songwriting, Joey was spending much more time on the road throughout the USA and abroad with invites to New Zealand and Brazil. He would find himself immersed in television apperances, travels back and forth to Hawaii,travels abroad, and his own television pursuits. Next, the late Danniebelle Hall(Andrae Crouch and the Disciples) would help Joeys musical career with television appearances on her national television show(Singalong with Danniebelle). Over the years Joey recorded other albums including "Just Joe Nardone" with his former Band,"Live" recorded in San Francisco, "Coming Home" and some other projects along the way. He has since pursued his love of Flamenco music and song that engulfs his culture. He studied "cante" (flamenco singing) with Spanish gypsy legend "Agustin Rios", as well as with Spanish Flamenco guitarist/singer dynamo "Pepe Haro"( José Luis Castaño). As of most recent, Joey has pursued other types of music , be it R&B ,HOUSE, FLAMENCO,as well as other types of LATIN MUSIC and sounds. Nardone has won awards from "BILLBOARD MAGAZINE", "MUSIC CITY SONG FESTIVAL " out of Nashville, Tn," FESTIVAL DE LA CANCION" and others. He has written songs for other artists. In the past he's been nominated and awarded into"WHOS WHO IN ENTERTAINMENT". He has also been involved in some television and movie appearances as extras for several spots on " NASH BRIDGES" and a movie spot for Penelope Cruz's film " WOMAN ON TOP". Remaining active in writing songs and singing, Joey performs whenever the opportunity arises. He has been working on a new CD, just released a new song in spanish that has already received an award and recognition. The song was part of a compliation CD. This was distributed throughout the USA, Canada, Latin America, Spain and other parts of Europe. Joey continues weaving his music. The Singer..The Songwriter..The Artist ..The Performer.. The Messenger..