The Joel Rafael Band includes, Carl Johnson on guitar, Jeff Berkley on percussion, Jamaica Rafael on violin and viola, and features the songs and lead vocals of Joel Rafael. Joel and the band have shared stages with Crosby Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal, Iris Dement, John Sebastian, Emmylou Harris, John Lee Hooker, and many other national acts.

Joel was a 1994 finalist and a 1995 winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk Emerging Songwriter Award, and the band regularly headlines the annual Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma. Joel's grandparents, parents, wife, children and friends are often the characters that populate his ballads, and the band serves up a slice of true-blue "Americana" in almost every song.

They released two albums on Reluctant Angel Records and two more recent recordings, on Jackson Browne's Inside Recordings label. The Joel Rafael Band's June 2000 release Hopper is one of our favorite albums of the past few years. Their brand new release, Woodeye, is a tribute to the songs of Woody Guthrie.

This was the second time we were fortunate enough to host a house concert for Joel Rafael and we've been anxious for the opportunity. At this CD release party for Woodeye, Joel Rafael shared stories and songs of Woody Guthrie before a very appreciative audience. This San Diego based band is one of the true followers to the legacy of Woody Guthrie. Simply a great evening of wonderful music.

For more information, please visit their Web site at: www.joelrafael.com.