Born in coal country. Singing speakeasies at fourteen.
Joseph A. Cerisano III grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia. By fourteen he was singing in clubs where he wasn't old enough to drink. At seventeen, playing seven nights a week at the Bayshores Cafe in Somers Point, New Jersey, he saw the ocean for the first time.
Elderberry Jak. Memphis. The record deal.
Recorded "Long Overdue" at American Recording Studio in Memphis — the same studio Elvis had just left. Warmed up Three Dog Night in front of 10,000 people at the Columbus Fairground Coliseum. Toured with Joe Walsh and the original James Gang. "Arguably the finest rock band to come out of West Virginia."
Drove a VW to California. Landed a $350,000 record deal.
Formed Silver Condor with Earl Slick (David Bowie, John Lennon). Signed to Columbia Records. "You Could Take My Heart Away" hit #32. Recorded with Clarence Clemons at Electric Lady Studios. Auditioned for Black Sabbath in LA — got the gig — turned it down the next day.
The voice you've heard a thousand times.
The Columbia deal collapsed. Joe owed $713,000. So he won a Miller Beer commercial that aired on the Super Bowl — and became the most in-demand session singer in America. Coca-Cola. Pepsi. Ford. GE. The Navy. American Airlines. Sang "Hands Across America." Lead vocalist on Blue Oyster Cult's "Frankenstein." Featured lead on Trans-Siberian Orchestra's platinum Christmas Attic. Appeared with Korn, Ian Hunter, Phil Ramone, Placido Domingo, and Gloria Estefan.
