Joe Baxter.

Professional singer and guitarist.

I have been playing either professionally, or semi-pro since I was thirteen. First on drums, then on guitar, and finally on vocals and guitar, with stints on keyboards and bass. Given that I'm fifty five, that's a lot of experience.
As a vocalist, I'm influenced by powerful singers like Joe Cocker, Paul Rogers and Neil Diamond. My voice is best suited to classic pop, rock, blues and soul, but when I "turn down the volume" I'm a fine ballad and country singer too.
As a guitarist, I cover a lot of styles but first and foremost my playing is informed by the British Invasion players like Eric Clapton and Peter Green. The English speed merchants, Albert and Alvin Lee have been something of an influence too.
I was probably the first solo artist in Scotland, if not the U.K., to use technology to get a full band sound. Long before the dawn of digital sequencers, I used a Sony Professional Walkman to tape myself playing keyboard. I used the tapes as backing tracks through the P.A., sang and played stunning guitar. Solo acts in those days were either keyboard players who couldn't (still can't) get a guitar sound, or guitarists with a drum machine and a chorus pedal.

I have played at every conceivable type of venue, from large auditoria to small bistros, and at many prestigious functions including the victory ball for players, staff, and sponsors after Kilmarnock F.C.'s historic Scottish Cup victory in 1997, and at The Darvel Music Festival three years running.
Perhaps the most meaningful accolade to my talent, is that I have played, solo or with a band, at the weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties of fellow musicians.
I occasionally team up with selected fellow musicians (The Outfit) for weddings and functions. I'm also happy to team up with a disco for an affordable package suitable for all ages.

A few testimonials:

"Joe, as part of New Sensation, played at my wedding. We could not have asked for better, thoroughly professional and musically outstanding. The floor was full from the first dance to Auld Lang Syne.
Iaine McCulloch" - keyboard player, Kilmarnock.

"Joe and Dougie (Barnes) did a wonderful job at my wedding. Great singing, great harmonies and great guitar playing. Fantastic". John Fortune, singer/guitarist, Troon.

"Joe's band played at my son's wedding, the floor was full all night which was no less than we expected". Gordon Law, singer, Kilmarnock.


My equipment is compact and of the finest quality. I use a Shure SM58 beta, an industry standard for years, and my P.A. consists of a Mackie mixer, C Audio power amp and Electrovoice speakers. I also carry a Behringer powered mixer "just in case". I own and use several classic guitars including A Fender Strat, a Gibson Les Paul and several Ibanez guitars including my R.S. 1300 - my "old faithful" for over 2,000 shows. I use a Boss GT8 guitar processor straight into the P.A. While not for purists, it gives me a remarkable palette of quality sounds with minimal stage space. Should there be purists on hand, I'm perfectly happy to bring Marshall, Fender or Matamp valve amplification.