Joe Diehl

As a young boy, Mom's record collection included Louis Armstrong. Henry Mancini & Leonard Bernstein and various dixieland jazz and movie soundtracks. Older sister Robyn's collection included Otis Redding, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and various soul artists.

I started messing around with the guitar at about age 10, but did not get really into it until I heard the "Dueling banjos" (Deliverance theme). At that time I began private lessons and my Mom bought me "Chester and Lester" ...a record of Chet Atkins and Les Paul. Chet instantly became my first guitar hero. At age 16. I joined my first "garage band" playing covers of Zep, Trower, Deep Purple, Allmans, Montrose, etc. At 17 joined first "pro" outfit an 8 piece horn band called "Savory" playing top 40, rock and funk at high schools and weddings all over northern California.

At age 19 studied with Tower of Power guitarist, Bruce Conte and eventually played a show with T.O.P. members Stephen "Doc" Kupka and "Rocco" Prestia. Continuing in the 80s to play in a wide variety of projects that included a soul review, a couple blues bands, punk-influenced "art-rock", and many singer-songwriter projects.

Collaborating with Suzanne Sterling and forming "Skyclad" an experimental original band that performed all over northern Cal. opening for the Counting Crows, Jefferson Starship, Michael Franti, and many others. Also through the 90's becoming a regular, the "Sweetwater" performing with Jenni and Maria Muldaur, Bob Wier, Gregg Allman and Steve Kimock, as well as opening for Train, and Linda Perry.