Singer-songwriter Joe Scutella began his professional musical career as a percussionist in 1977 with the Chuck Ventrello Concourse, a jazz ensemble in his home town of Erie Pa. Joe and his longtime friend, drummer Rick Lopez, transformed what had been a bebop band into a free-wheeling world music combo. All along Joe played guitar and was writing songs from age 17. Eventually playing hand drums and guitar became a bit untenable, and the guitar won out, as did the song writing. Scutella joined the Boston based Frederick Martin band in 1979, touring the northeast and mid atlantic. It was the first time he heard his original songs fully formed with an entire band. Working with Marty O’Connor of the Frederick Martin Band, side projects developed which eventually morphed into their jointly formed band, Jabberwocky. Scutella concentrated on his original music in that band as well as in subsequent other bands and as a soloist.
Eventually Joe Scutella moved from his home town to south Florida and left the music business behind to raise a family. He did keep writing and eventually began performing solo around Palm Beach and Martin Counties. In the summer of 1993 Joe entered a round robin songwriting contest for south Florida songwriters. Joe eventually won the contest. A performance by the top finishers was held at the Lyric theater in Stuart Florida, with Scutella as the headliner. Following the show he was approached by a woman, Char Senter, who had been a music publisher in LA. She and her former husband had published such songs as “I am Woman:, ``Leather and Lace:, “Chevy Van”, and others. Her ex-husband was still active in publishing in Nashville. Char introduced Scutella to Jay Senter, and after a few months of back and forth, swapping songs and tweaks, Joe Scutella was offered a publishing deal and moved to Nashville in 1994.
Subsequently, Joe went on as a staff writer, writing for NotStock Music and producer Clyde Brooks in 1996, EMI Blackwood Music in 1999, and the Talbott Music Group in 2002, before starting his own publishing company, Jupiter Inlet Music Publishing, in 2005. Joe’s songs have been recorded by former Asylum recording artist Melodie Crittenden, former Capital artist George Ducas, former SONY recording artists Nine Days Band, Former Republic-MCA singer Gabbie Nolen, Indie Americana artists Kent Agee, Donal Hinely, Ross Falzonze, Blue Elan recording artists The Mustangs Of The West, as well as numerous other independent, country, rock and Americana artists.
Now approaching three decades living in Nashville, Scutella still writes and co-writes, though not so much for a living any longer. To date he has self released two records, 1998”s “Love is a train”, and 2012”s “Hang In There”. Joe has twice been a featured performer at the renowned Kerrville Folk Festival, and performs regularly at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
