Joel Mathis (click on Photo for Joel’s Youtube channel)
Joel Emory Mathis:
1947: Born in Lake City, FL August Fifth to Emory and Maye Mathis, the youngest of 4. 1952: Moved to Valdosta, GA 1964: Started a band in high school “The Fugitives” 1967: Graduated Lowndes County High School. Was Voted most talented. 1968: August Four, Married the former JoAnn Cothron of Valdosta, Georgia. 1970: Daughter Joni born January 17. 1971-1999: House band for several clubs in Valdosta off and on including the Ramada Inn’s Country Place Lounge. 1973: March 8 First Nashville, TN recording session. Produced by Bill Walker at Studio “B” RCA studio. Songs: “Glasses of Beer”, “Ann”, “Whatcha Gonna Tell Him Then” and “Darkness Hides The Sin” 1973: Signed with Chart Records in November. 1974: “First release on Chart. Ann” b/w “Glasses of Beer” reached #89 on Billboard’s Top 100 Country wk of 06-22-1974. 1975: Second release on Chart.”Friday We’ll Be Back In Love Again” reached #88 on Record World and Cashbox. Wk of 02-08-1975 and 03-01-1975. 1975: Nashville recording session produced by Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan: Songs: “Time Machine”, “Little Orphan Annie”, “Our Room” and “Houston” 1976: Guest performer on Louisiana Hayride. 1976: Toured with and fronted artist Brenda Pepper (Playboy Records). 1978: “The Farmer’s Song” and “Dirt Farming Man” on Soundwaves Records. Both sides (only stayed one week) #92 in the top 100 in Billboard. 1981: DPI Records Album “Running After Rainbows” released. 1999: Died during open heart surgery in Tallahassee, FL.