Joe Given - Bio
At the age of 20, this award winning singer, songwriter, performer, has played at over 450 events and venues.
With his smooth powerful voice, charismatic presence, and gift of story-telling, Joe has the ability to connect with a wide range of audiences.
His style is mainly indie pop/rock. Joe usually performs as a solo artist, (vocals & guitar, up to 3-4 hours). He also enjoys playing with other musicians if requested.
His shows have included weddings, festivals, lounges/pubs, restaurants, galas, private & community events, receptions, conferences & many charitable events. He plays original music as well as a wide range of cover songs.
Joe recently released his new Album, “So Much More”. Influenced by both pop and indie rock, this album combines Joe’s usual acoustic feel, with some electronics and computer beats. His inspirations reflect his age, as the theme of the album relates to love, heartbreak and self discovery. He promotes a message of individuality, believing that, when people are true to themselves, they become “So Much More”.
Joe enjoyed co-producing and arranging his new Album, "So Much More", with Ron Irving and Luke Isaac. Luke also did the engineering, and Bill Buckingham, worked his magic with mixing, mastering and more. Joe loved working with his whole team, including his inspiring co-writers and all the musicians who played on the album. More details are on his music page: JoeGiven.com/music
His musical influences include The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Jeff Buckley, John Mayer, Nora Jones, Metric, Lady Gaga, Adele, Sublime, Ed Sheeran & many others.
JOE HAS WON NUMEROUS MUSIC RELATED AWARDS, including:
- Joe co-wrote & sang on “Shy”, the winning song of the “Great Canadian Song Race”, at VIMBC, Oct 2012;
- Won a (Service Above Self Surrey Youth) - “SASSY Award”, for Performing & Visual Arts, presented by the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), Oct 14, 2011 ($500 plus $500 donated to Free the Children)
- Nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition (CTC) for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. 2011.
- Won a Dogwood District Authority Award Scholarship ($1,000), for excelling in the area of music, Oct, 2010
- Awarded the "Artistic Achievement Award" and a $500 Scholarship, from the Canadian Club of Vancouver, at the 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, May 27, 2010.
- Factor Demo Award - funding approved for $1600.00 - toward production of 5 songs on his 2010 album.
… more awards & details listed below
He has been a judge, on several different panels, for music related shows and events. He’s also been involved in various events through the Arts Council of Surrey, and was a committee member of the Youth Arts Council of Surrey (YACOS), from 2008-2011.
With a love for acting, Joe has had roles in Community Theatre Productions. He was nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition, (CTC), for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, 2011.
Joe is also a university student, studying Business Management, at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
However, his main passion is music, and Joe plans to continue working with it, in ways that help make a positive difference.
JOE HAS PERFORMED AT OVER 450 EVENTS/VENUES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, INCLUDING:
- Weddings, Conferences, many Private Events, as well as numerous community & charitable events.
- Bayshore Inn, Vancouver, BC - Rotary International Convention - Reception (Joe was the guest musician - Private Event). Joe performed for an hour, as the guest musician, at the Reception. He was also a guest at the Gala Dinner that followed. Oct 20, 2012
- Community Theatre Coalition Awards Gala - at the Coast Capital Playhouse. Joe was one of the performers, and he was also nominated for a CTC Award. Sept 17, 2011
- Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver - Joe was a Guest performer at the Canadian Club of Vancouver: 2011 Maple Leaf Celebration - 10th Anniversary, May 18, 2011. (Joe was a recipient of their Artistic Achievement Award in 2010).
- Various Restaurants and Lounges/Pubs with 3 - 4 hr. shows, including repeat performances at: The Vault Restaurant, (Surrey), Iguana’s Beach Grill, (White Rock, on the beach front); Pacific Inn, Manyana Lounge, (South Surrey); McJac’s Roadhouse Grille, (South Surrey); West Beach Bar and Grill, (White Rock); Beecher Street Cafe, (Crescent Beach), Dublin Crossing Irish Pub (Surrey), and others
- Was a regularly scheduled performer on Granville Island, (as part of the Summer Entertainment on Granville Island program), in 2009, 2010, and again in 2011
- Played 'Schroeder' in the musical: 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown' Feb 3-26, 2011 (15 shows), at Surrey Little Theatre. For his role as Schroeder, Joe was later nominated by the CTC for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical..."
- Performed a pre-show 30 min. set of music, for the 8 nights of the play, 'Splinters', at the Surrey Little Theatre., Dec. 8 - 18, 2010. Joe also acted / played the role of Danny, in the play.
- Grand Opening Reception, for the Newton Cultural Centre, Surrey, Oct 2010
- The 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, through the Canadian Club of Vancouver
- Surrey 2010 Celebration Site at Holland Park, (during the Olympics)
- For the Luv of it Youth, 2009 and For the Luv of it Inspiration 2010, Vancouver, BC
- Surrey Shines 2006, 07, 08, 09 and 2010 (at the Surrey Arts Centre)
- The YMCA Power of Peace Awards, Nov 2009- Vancouver City Limits at the Beaumont Stage in 09 and at the Vancouver Rowing Club in 2010
- Music Festivals such as: Spirit of the Sea Festival in White Rock 06, 07, 08 & 09 & 11 - Surrey Children’s Festival 08, 09 & 2010 - Merritt Mountain Music Festival 06 & 07 ... and more ...
- Several events through the Cities of Surrey, Langley & White Rock, 07, 08, 09, 10 & 11 & 12
- Canada Day Celebrations in various cities: Langley 04, 05 & 2008 - Vancouver 2009, White Rock, 2010
- The Arts Council of Surrey’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, 2007 (& many other events with them, 07-11)
- National Anthems at numerous official opening ceremonies, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12
- And more ...
SONGWRITING & ALBUM / CD CONTRIBUTIONS & AWARDS:
“Shy” © 2012, (co-written by Joe Given, Kirsten Collins & Christina Bearchell - & produced by Troy Samson) was the Winning Song at the “Great Canadian Song Race”, at VIMBC, October, 2012.
"I Believe In You" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention", for being among the top 500 original compositions, in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010
"Dance Till the Break of Dawn" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention", for being among the top 500 original compositions, in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010.
"Falling For You" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention", for being among the top 1500 original compositions, in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010.
“Home” ©, was presented with an “Honorable Mention”, for being among the top 1500 original compositions, in the 16th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2009.
“Home” ©, was one of the songs chosen to be included on the 2009 Music BC Compilation CD. (musicbc.org)
“Home” ©, was placed on the “Honorable Mentions” list, in the International, Independent Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA), Song Contest, 2008
“A Bigger Circle” ©, will be one of the songs, on the “Dream On !” website (coming soon), which will include music in alignment with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals of peace and justice, freedom, love and peaceful empowerment.
“Every Day” ©, is on the Robbie Tucker Compilation Album for Parkinson's Awareness; Presented by “Musicians Against Parkinson’s” - 2008 . It was also awarded as one of the 2 winners on the album. See (mapmusic.org)
“The Little Things” ©, is on track 13 of the “Make a Case Against Racism” compilation CD, which was presented by the BC Ministry of Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism (welcomebc.ca), and administered by Music BC (musicbc.org), in 2008.
JOE'S OTHER MUSIC + PERFORMANCE RELATED AWARDS (in more detail):
- Joe Co-wrote "SHY", the Winning Song of the VIMBC "Great Canadian Song Race", October 2012. "SHY", was Written by: Joe Given, Kirsten Collins & Christina Bearchell - and Produced by: Troy Samson. Oct, 2012
- Won the 2011 Service Above Self - SASSY Award, for Performing & Visual Arts. Presented by the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), at the SASSY Awards, (Bell Performing Arts Centre), Oct 14, 2011. ($500 plus $500 donated to "Free the Children"). Oct 14, 2011
- Nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition, (CTC), for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, 2011.
- Won a 2009/2010 Dogwood District Authority Award Scholarship, ($1,000), in the Fine Arts Category, for excelling in the area of music, awarded in October, 2010.
- Awarded the "Artistic Achievement Award" and a $500 Scholarship, from the Canadian Club of Vancouver, at the 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, May 27, 2010.
- Factor Demo Award - for $1600.00 toward production of 5 songs on Joe’s 2010 Album.
- Awarded a $250.00 Scholarship at For the Luv of It Inspiration! 2010, from Carla Catherwood, and Debbie Catherwood, on behalf of a generous anonymous sponsor. Jan 10.
- Awarded a Scholarship at the For the Luv of It Youth show, from Chin Injeti (Hastings Set). Jan, 09
- One of the 1st Place winners of “Clayton’s Got Talent” High School talent show. 2008
- 1st Place: Clayton Idol (Clayton Heights Secondary School - gr. 8-12). Nov 2007
- 1st Place: Buskers Competition (for solo performers all ages) - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival, Aug 07
- Awarded the Fran Dowie Vaudevillian Bursary: presented at the Youth Arts Council of Surrey’s “Surrey Shines 07”, and established by The Vaudevillians. Awarded Jan 07
- 1st Place: Buskers Competition (14 & under) - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. Aug 06
- 1st Place: City Jam – Youth Talent Search – (under 14 yrs). May 06
- 1st Place: Best Performer * Singer (all ages) - Pizzazz International Model &Talent Search. Sept 05
- 1st Place: Overall Best Performer (kids/teens) - Pizzazz International Model &Talent Search. Sept 05
