BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LENORE, W.Va. — The road to success is often a long one filled with obstacles, pitfalls and its share of potholes. Only those who persevere and are willing to make sacrifices and stay true to their hearts find themselves at the crossroads where the road sign says, “You’ve reached your destination.” For one Mingo County native traveling this road since he was a teenager, that sign may very well be in sight.
Joey Ferris, a Lenore native who now calls the sunshine state of Florida home, has an impressive “life resume” that includes a career with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department. But what first comes to the minds of those who have crossed paths with Ferris and got to know him is his immense talent as a singer, songwriter and musician.
When asked the age when he first developed a love for music and became interested in learning to play an instrument, Ferris’ answer came with a laugh.
“I was 9 years old when I first heard Charlie Daniels singing ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ on the radio,” said Ferris. “I was hooked. I went to my mom and told her I wanted to play a fiddle. She replied that my uncle could teach me the guitar, and if I learned that and stuck with it, we’d talk about the fiddle. I mastered the guitar, and when I again brought up the subject of the fiddle, she told me to get my uncle to teach me to play the banjo and she’d think about it. This continued a while longer and I learned to play a variety of instruments.
“The funny part of this story is none of them was the fiddle,” Ferris added as he chuckled. “That’s the one thing I can’t play, but my desire to do so put me on a path that I am still walking on today.”
Throughout his teenage years and beyond, Ferris and his loyal group of fellow musicians played a variety of venues and loved every minute of it.
“The rest of the world may never have known who we were, but in our hearts and minds – we were small-town rock stars.”
Ferris has gained local notoriety through the years playing solo and with several bands that showcased his powerful vocal ability and impressive songwriting skills. However, over the last year his name has become easily recognized in other areas across the country. One song and video caught the attention of Grand Ole Opry scouts who scour the networks and internet for videos produced by independent artists who are not signed to a major label.
The coveted Josie Music Awards sets apart the level of prestige and recognition that comes with being nominated or winning. A nomination or win at the Josie Music Awards (JMAs) is a crowning achievement of excellence within the talent’s respective field or genre. It is the largest music award show in the independent music industry. It brings in thousands from across the globe yearly to celebrate as a privately owned, licensed company without attaching the event to other events in the music industry. It is where the globe’s top independent talent gathers for a night filled with excitement, networking, glamour and more.
“Ride With Your Ghost,” a song written and performed by Ferris, was nominated for the 2023 Josie Awards Video of the Year. Ferris was elated to learn of the nomination and feels like the years of keeping his nose to the grindstone and doing what he loves, even when times were not the best, are finally paying off.
“This song didn’t birth from a personal experience or loss, but it is one that many can relate to,” said Ferris. “It takes the thought of losing someone we love to another level, as those watching the video realize as the song gets further along that the male has lost his true love to death. It’s sad, but it also speaks of finding comfort and solace in our memories and never letting those memories die. It’s definitely one that pulls at your heartstrings.”
Ferris has penned songs that vary in content from remembering famous musicians that left this world all too soon due to drug and alcohol addiction (“Laid Low”) to a tribute about his two grandfathers (“Forgiveness Is For Anyone That Prays”), giving a nod to his roots (“Hillbilly Home”), and even a tune dedicated to an unsolved murder case he was involved with investigating during his law enforcement career (“Guilty Serenade”), as well as many more. His music speaks to his followers, and when performed by a voice unmatched by many, the sky seems to be the limit for Ferris’ future.
“I want to give a special shoutout to everyone, and I mean everyone that has come to one of my shows and voted for my song on the local radio station ‘First at 5’ daily contest, booked me to perform at your events, bought my singles online, and offered an encouraging word or gave me a thumbs-up or a pat on the back when I see you out,” said Ferris. “It doesn’t matter how talented someone is. He won’t get far if he doesn’t have a support system and folks who believe in him and want to see him succeed. I’m blessed to be a Mingo County boy with roots that run deep in these mountains. We know how to persevere. We don’t know the meaning of the word quit.”
The Ninth Annual Josie Awards will be held Oct. 22, beginning at 8 p.m. in the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Ferris is one of 10 male vocalists nominated for Video of the Year and is also credited for producing and directing.
“Win or lose, it’s been an honor to be considered for this award,” said Ferris. “Of course, it goes without saying I’d love more than anything to win, but the entire weekend will be spent marketing, rubbing elbows with who’s who in the music industry and making valuable contacts. Being introduced to the right person at the right time can, with just a word, jump-start your career and put you on the fast track to achieving your dreams.
“No matter the outcome, I will continue working each and every day to advance my music career and keep communicating with the minds and hearts of all those who listen to my music through words. Music speaks to our soul. It can take us back in time, make us smile or cry, warm our hearts and inspire us when we need it the most. Music is as important to me as living and breathing, and I will keep writing and singing until my last breath.”
For more information on Ferris, he invites the public to follow him on social media and YouTube for all his latest career news and music.