Joe Tennessee

His voice and a guitar. And maybe a glass of whisky. That’s all Joe Tennessee (1975) needs to turn raw emotions into music. The Dutch singer-songwriter and veteran pulls from personal experiences in outlaw country songs — both covers and originals. His rough voice, bare lyrics, and unmetered melodies come straight from the heart, creating a connection with whoever’s there to listen. Stripped of any pretense, his husky sound moves his audience at its core — song after song. Still, Joe doesn’t play to impress or achieve. He just does the thing he loves most.

Joe started in 2019 when he first picks up a guitar, challenged by his coach to learn something they have never tried before. Just a year later, he plays live for VeteranenTV & Radio, sings on national television for Liberation Day and played venues like Paradiso Amsterdam. As duo with Sophie they released their first single in 2023 'Never Came Home'. Both performed at venues like Lowlands, Witte Anjer Prijs, and additionally were part of Ray Klaassens theatre tour 'Groeipijn'.

Strings and chords channel Joe’s hardships into moving songs. They voice the loss of his daughter, his divorce, his time in the military and his far from ideal childhood. Inspired by legends such as Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson. Joe sings from sincerity. With all its rough edges.

In 2022 Joe's first single "Proud To Be a Soldier" became a number one song.