About Us
Joseph Wooten, founder
Joseph Allen Wooten, a loving husband and father, keyboardist, writer, arranger, producer, educator, motivational speaker, and author, is a 3-time Grammy Award-nominated artist, and since 1993 is the keyboardist/vocalist for The Steve Miller Band. Born to Dorothy and Elijah "Pete" Wooten, Joseph is the 2nd youngest of the 5 Wooten Brothers, all musicians: 5-time Grammy Award Winning bassist, Victor Wooten; 5-time Grammy Award Winner and drummer/inventor Roy "Futureman” Wooten; guitarist Elijah "Regi" Wooten aka "The Teacha," and the late saxophonist Rudy Wooten.
Joseph’s early elementary school years were spent with his siblings playing nightclubs and sharing the stage with Curtis Mayfield, War, and other major artists of the time as “The Wooten Brothers." In the ’70s, there were more major artists to share the stage with: The Temptations, The SOS Band, Stephanie Mills, Dexter Wansel, Ramsey Lewis, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and others.
As the ’80s arrived, the brothers caught the ear of the popular R&B artist/producer Kashif where they recorded an album entitled "The Wootens" for Artista Records. Joseph’s unmatched talent and undeniable groove landed him the position of band leader, musical director, and keyboardist for Kashif. During that time with Arista Records, Joseph sang background vocals for Whitney Houston on her debut and Kenny G, and co-wrote with Kashif and brother Roy "Call Me Tonight" which was Grammy-nominated for Instrumental of the Year. Joseph contributed numerous compositions on Victor’s Grammy-nominated CD, "Yin Yang". During this time, when the family moved East, Joseph and his brothers had a residency at Busch Gardens, where Joseph honed his skills not only as a keyboardist, but, as an accordion player, arranger, and composer as he composed over 40 pieces of music for every individual cast member.
Joseph is now the keyboard player/vocalist for the legendary Steve Miller Band, playing large venues around the world. Whenever his extensive touring schedule allows, he also serves as keyboardist to his brother Victor Wooten, and fronts his own band, Joseph Wooten & The Hands of Soul. Joseph is also a member of an elite group of handpicked musicians called Freedom Sings, organized by the First Amendment Center in Washington D.C., presenting a multi-media experience celebrating The First Amendment and free expression. In addition to releasing several of his own albums and singles, Joseph continues to be very active composing, producing, and recording vocals and keyboards for other artists.
In 2017, he published his book, “It All Matters: What I Believe, Words That I Live By.” This collection of thoughts and concepts, originally recorded over the years in Joseph’s personal journal, is intended to make people think and give insight into who Joseph Wooten is as a person. When he is not traveling from city to city, Joseph can often be found speaking to students in middle school, high school, and college, about character development, self-esteem, self-respect, and personal growth using his own life experiences as examples. Recently Joseph played for career military Veterans and Gold Star families at the Field Of Dreams movie site. He also had the privilege to do a TEDx Talk in Memphis, Tennessee called "Why It All Matters."
I Matter! You Matter! is a non-profit organization founded by Joseph Wooten and his wife, Stephanie, with the goal of creating positive change through speaking to and working with young people of all ages, giving scholarships to deserving young people, providing aid and support to the homeless and Veterans.
Joseph currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Stephanie.
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