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Joey Everett is featured on Outbound Radio |
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 A fifth-generation writer and longtime guitar player, it is no wonder Joey Everett was able to pen all of the tracks on his current, debut solo album Farther from Me. Throughout his life the written word has moved him. An avid reader of classic literature authors such as Emily Dickinson and Walker Percy, he treasures words like jewels in a chest. But, with the wide variety of literature available at his fingertips, he says that one specific style captured his heart and is reflected in his songwriting. "Poetry definitely influenced my writing more than anything. I want to say things in a way that will stay with someone. I am truly fascinated with words, and how you can put them together to say something to someone and ignite a feeling inside of them," says Joey. "Singularly, words are lonely and have very little meaning, but once you string them together, that's when the magic happens, and thats amazing." Born and raised in the center of the magnolia state in Jackson, Mississippi, this down-to-earth, rather spiritual young man has a variety of artists to thank for the direction his music takes today. "Growing up I listened to a wide range of artists Sting, the Monkeys, the Beatles, Chris Rice, Sarah Mason, Bebo Norman, The Jayhawks, Counting Crows, and David Wilcox just to name a few. I listened to a little bit of everything. But, without a doubt, it is literature that has had the largest impact on his writing. The great writers of long ago had something to say and I do too," remarks Everett. When most people attend a concert, they go for a few hours of fun, not a life changing experience. At least thats what Joey thought before he went to a concert that changed the direction of his life. "When I was in the sixth-grade my mom took me to a Michael W. Smith concert. During that night, I got to see how Michael's music changed people lives for the better. It was mesmerizing to me that through his lyrics, Michael was able to show people that there is a purpose in life. There is a reason for life, and there is hope. I also want to send that powerful, life changing message to every audience, each night that I am blessed to sing and share with them." So moved by the music, at age 12, he began to write. Everett recalls, "My Mom's best friend was a song writer in Nashville and every year for as long as I can remember, we would go visit her. She would play at the Bluebird in the round, talk about publishing deals, poetry, and the power of a lyric. I was taken in. It's all I really wanted to do. I don't want to cater to the industry. I want to be real, authentic, create something of value, that speaks to people," says Joey with a smile. And Throughout the past decade he has done just that as a talented singer/songwriter serving as front man for Ninth Hour, a regional band that has generated a solid southern fan base. "I am ready to take that next step in my career. I want to live life to the fullest, and not let a second pass me by. I want to use the gifts that God has given me to glorify Him," explains Joey. In the studio guiding the direction of the album was Producer Neilson Hubbard. "Neilson would usually get frustrated with me, because I never had all my lyrics finished," recalls Joey. "Rich Mullins once said, some writers are weavers and some are quilt makers. I have always thought of myself as a quilt-maker. Creating a song by stitching it together in small holistic pieces. It took me two years to write all the songs on this album. I want to write what I feel. Often, the song just writes itself over a period of time and uses me as its medium. Life pours its song into me. Different experiences I have change the way the song comes about. I take a piece from here and there and put it in. Sometimes it takes time to go through that life experience. If I am not feeling it, I dont want to finish the lyrics. Ill wait until I feel the emotion I am trying to express in verse, explains Joey. I dont want to seem trite and cliché." There is no doubt that he has poured his heart and soul into Farther from Me. His hope is that each of the tracks speaks to the souls of listeners. "This album is, what I consider, a pop/folk album with an indie edge. Its amazing how the combination of these three styles of music blended so beautifully together," says Joey. A clear reflection of his passion for literature, the individual tracks are like chapters, and the album a book. "I hope when people listen to my album they see and feel my heart, that the intangible becomes tangible and I come across as real. Maybe my simple life in song can give hope and purpose to others." A recent graduate of Mississippi College with a degree in Biblical Theology and a minor in English, Joey resides in Los Angeles, CA. When he isn't playing and singing to fans, he spends time working with students at The Journey Church, and surfing whenever he can. |
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