Old Joe
Chicago 1990
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Joe 13 |
| Alias(es) | Old Joe; prefers to be called “Boss” 13 |
| Gender | Male 13 |
| Occupation/Role | Singer and owner of Old Joe Music Company, also called Joe Music 13 15 |
| Affiliation | Joe Music; its shareholders include a Hell Bobcat gang representative 15 21 |
| First Appearance | Seen by Song Ya at Little Lowry’s music-video shoot as the apparent record-label boss; formally introduced in Chapter 13 7 13 |
Background and Career
Photographs at Joe Music show Joe as a singer in his youth and middle age. His display of honors includes a trophy for ten thousand record sales dating to the sixties, though Song Ya questions its provenance. By the time Song Ya visits, the company appears to him to be past its peak 13 15.
Joe initially gives Song Ya’s song “Thrift Shop” a noncommittal reception. Song Ya invites him to try the chorus, and Joe’s bass voice makes the recording click. Eager to release it, Joe throws himself into rehearsals and books musicians and professional mixing studios 13 14 15.
The song’s success strains relationships at the label. Joe helps remove three Al-heavy tracks from Little Lowry’s album, prompting Al to confront him. Joe later resists Pablo’s proposal to give a major label a share of national distribution, but a difficult promotional tour and an unaffordable public-relations proposal force him to reconsider. After rejecting an approach brought by Pablo from Warner Records, Joe agrees to work with Daniel Glass of SBK Records 19 21 26 27.
Appearance
Joe is an older Black man with a heavy build and a powerful bass voice. His conspicuous dress is part of the image Song Ya associates with his “Thrift Shop” performance 7 13 14.
- Clothing — Wears a flashy pink suit during his early appearances; changes to a dark suit for Song Ya’s school ceremony 7 13 28.
- Jewelry — Wears gold chains, rings, and a watch 7.
Personality
Joe is enthusiastic about performing: while rehearsing “Thrift Shop,” he asks Song Ya for feedback and keeps singing through a break. He also advises Song Ya to find a lawyer he trusts when Pablo pressures him over the song’s copyright 14.
As a label owner, he is protective of his independence and wary of giving major companies a share of his revenue. He can nevertheless change course when negotiations and promotional results leave him with a better option 21 26 27.
Abilities & Skills
Vocal Performance
- Bass chorus — His voice gives “Thrift Shop” the sound Song Ya had been seeking for its chorus 13 14.
- Stage presentation — Song Ya suggests a more playful delivery, including gestures with Joe’s suit lapels 14.
Label Management
- Recording coordination — Books accompanists and professional mixing studios for “Thrift Shop” 15.
- Promotion and negotiation — Oversees the song’s promotion and ultimately arranges cooperation with SBK Records 21 26 27.
Relationships
- Song Ya / APLUS — Songwriter of “Thrift Shop.” Joe takes his musical feedback, advises him during the copyright dispute, and is regarded as his protector within the Joe Music circle 13 14 31.
- Pablo — Manager whose preferred distribution deal and handling of Song Ya’s lyrics bring him into conflict with Joe 14 21 26 27.
- Little Lowry — Joe Music’s leading young performer and Joe’s collaborator on “Thrift Shop” 13 31.
- Old Morgan — Longtime acquaintance and saxophonist on “Thrift Shop”; Joe supports him when the promotional schedule becomes too demanding 13 14 21.
- Al — Joe’s decision to cut Al-heavy songs from Little Lowry’s album provokes a confrontation and damages their relationship 19.
- Daniel Glass — SBK executive who pitches a distribution partnership that Joe eventually accepts 26 27.
Notable Quotes
“You can call me Old Joe, but I prefer it when people call me BOSS.” 13
“You should find a lawyer you trust, OK?” 14