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"Let us make unto the Lord a Joyful Noise…"

A student of 70s Southern Rock, Blues and "big hair" bands, Joe Ricciardi spent his teens and twenties playing anything with a ton of guitar! Gradually, he refined his style to be more melodic and expressive - less oriented on speed and more about a melody line with passion.

In the 1980s, Joe played with a Northeast band called Star Rider, that picked a up contract with Beantown records. After the contract fell through, joe devoted his time to studying Jazz guitar under the tutelage of Pete Pancrazi, a Berkelee graduate and the Southwest US guitarist of the year for many years.

In 1996, Joe re-dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ, and his music took a strange twist. No longer did playing bar gigs and secular concerts appeal to him. It became about ministry, although Joe had no idea how deep he was about to go.

In 2003, Joe was approach by Christian recording artist Bill Drake, who had seen Joe playing in a local church band in the Atlanta area. What Bill was most attracted to was the joy on Joe's face as he used his gifting of playing guitar. A friendship was born, and soon Joe founf himself on an airplane to Turkey with Bill Drake and his band. The result in Joe's life was the realization that just playing for the Lord was not enough; your whole life needed to be aligned with God's desires.

Joe also changed his approach to playing - never again would he focus on just the set list - it was now about finding prayer opportunities after the service. "Concerts" became "ministry events", and Joe found his ministry growing exponentially.

Around 2008, Joe found himself playing/recording with Jeremy Whitaker, a local Atlanta Chritian artist with an incredible passion for the Lord and great songwriting abilities. Now Joe finds himself dividing time between playing with Bill Drake, jeremy Whitaker and an occasional gig with recording artist John Waller.

Joe and Jeremy also opened Greater Things Worship Arts Academy - a music school dedicated to growing the next wave of Christian artists willing to give all to the Lord.

Joe can reliably back up a band playing acoustic or rhythm guitar, or jump out in front with a cutting edge solo. Whatever he is called on to do, he does with aplomb. Although you can hear the Outlaws or Allman Brothers’ melodic approach in Joe’s solos and fills, Joe’s roots are as varied as they come – from the soft acoustic sounds of James Taylor, to cutting edge Joe Satriani shredding, or the echo-laced sounds of The Edge. Joe’s strong tenor vocal harmonies can add to any ministry’s "wall of sound", strengthening the worship experience for the event.

Joe’s strongest quality is his ability to blend in with a band at a moment’s notice. His strong faith and interpersonal skills make him an asset to any worship team.

Joe can also be heard on Bill Drake’s new CD "Broken and Complete", and Jeremy Whitaker's CD "Greater Things".

Joe is available to assist your ministry today!