17 Facts About Joyce Cobb

1.

Joyce Cobb is closely associated with traditional blues and jazz in the style of Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan.

2.

Joyce Cobb was born on June 2,1945 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and first sang in her grandmother's church.

3.

Joyce Cobb's parents owned a large record collection of music that was influential on her at a young age.

4.

Joyce Cobb was offered a road gig singing in duo with Bill Temme for Ramada Inn hotels and quit pursuing a vocation as a social worker to become a professional singer and songwriter.

5.

Joyce Cobb was one of the first acts at Opryland USA in 1972 and was voted "Best Performer" in 1974.

6.

Joyce Cobb became a regular fixture on WSM-AM radio's The Waking Crew with Ralph Emery, in addition to the Ralph Emery Show on NBC affiliate WSMV-TV, broadcasting out of Nashville.

7.

Joyce Cobb was a regular guest on Teddy Bart's The Noon Show, on WSM-TV.

8.

Shortly after her move to Memphis, Al Bennett acquired Hi Records in 1977; Joyce Cobb then become an artist for Bennett's Cream Records.

9.

Joyce Cobb was the opening act for Al Jarreau and The Temptations during this time.

10.

Joyce Cobb toured internationally in the Netherlands with Waylo artist Otis Clay to promote the label and current releases for both artists.

11.

Joyce Cobb is the only woman to have a club named after her on the street while honored by having a brass note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame.

12.

Joyce Cobb toured the United States and Europe with the highly acclaimed Beale Street Jazz Band, recording two CDs with the group during this time.

13.

The TV show Sounds of Memphis was premiered on WKNO in 1995 and was modeled after Austin City Limits; Joyce Cobb was featured on this show and it brought her back into a national spotlight.

14.

Joyce Cobb was contacted by Ward Archer in 2009 to record a CD for his recently formed Memphis record label, Archer Records.

15.

Joyce Cobb is a very pro-active advocate of music education and the history of singing style in American pop and jazz music.

16.

Joyce Cobb has served for close 20 years as adjunct vocal professor at the University of Memphis School of Music.

17.

Joyce Cobb has worked with younger jazz vocalists and musicians at the Stax Music Academy helping aspiring younger artists.