Chip Taylor’s Rock and Roll Joe Shines A Light On Forgotten Artists

(Chip Taylor with collaborators John Platania and Kendel Carson)

Chip Taylor’s status as a rock and roll legend is secure: the man who wrote “Wild Thing” and “Angel In The Morning” will not soon be forgotten, especially since he keeps putting out high quality albums.

Now Taylor is using his visibility to help some unsung heroes get their proper rewards. On April 25, Taylor will launch the Rock and Roll Joe web site, which aims to profile lesser known songwriters, session players, and artists. The beta version of the site currently features missives on Nashville guitarist Hank Garland, singer-songwriter Evie Sands and Muscle Shoals band leader Hollis Dixon (penned by Kris Kristofferson keys man Donnie Fritts.) Pedal steel guitar great Greg Leisz pays homage to one of his own, the late Sneaky Pete Kleinow.

Fans can use the site to post their own stories on artists they deem worthy of coverage, chat about the current state of rock music, and hear new tracks.

The inspiration for the site comes in part from a new Taylor song, “Rock and Roll Joe,” which is the title track to the followup to 2009’s Grammy-nominated album Yonkers, NY. The new disc, Rock and Roll Joe, will arrive May 31 via Train Wreck Records.