JosephBurke.com

Works

I once done a great deal of online work and media production for our local media arts organization here in the Appalachias known as Appalshop. I was closely involved in making online databases and web applications for Appalshop’s growing audience. Most of the work I do focuses around audio engineering, video production, web content management, coding, e-commerce and raido involvement for over 7 years on Appalshop’s community radio station WMMT FM 88.7. I done a weekly show on Friday mornings called “Crossroads” from 10AM-1PM EST. Appalshop is probably one of the best places to just dive in and get your feet wet with all the rich multimedia hardware/software at your fingertips.

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Back in 1999 I found the Blue Man Group. This crazy trio of shiney bald blue characters that never spoke, but expressed themselves through the music they played. I first saw their television ads for the Intel Pentium III processors and then saw them on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I was so moved by their performance, that I immediately got online and found out about their music and unique instruments. Soon after that I made a web site, though small at the time, that allowed people to download media clips of their performances for those of us that didn’t live close to venues or couldn’t go to a show. Through time, the site has now evolved to the official fan community of Blue Man Group called "The Blue Man Group Insiders." Now the former BML was taken offline in March of 2010, and Joe has since started working officially for Blue Man Group on the new Insiders marketing project. The Insiders project was concieved by Blue Man co-founder Chris Wink, and Joe & Alex both now work for the company closely on this new marketing initiative.

A great thing we had done through Blue Man Library was our charitable fund raisers for Blue Man Group affiiated charity organizations. Nothing puts a smile on my face more than knowing we’re helping another person/child. It’s amazing that online communities like BML can come together for a good cause and do something so positive. It’s just amazing to fathom…

One really great project that spawned from the Blue Man Library has come from podcast media. We developed an online podcast called Switchback that supported a faithful Blue Man Group following. The podcast was located on the Blue Man Library web site and the very popular iTunes Music Store. We had no real expectations for this podcast, just to provide fans with the latest news, interviews and fan gatherings in venue cities. What we didn’t expect was the overwhelming response from fans, non-fans, Blue Man Group Production staff and the online world in general. Switchback even was a stable charting podcast on iTunes in the Performing Arts category, and accumulatesd over 250 raw downloads per weekly episode. Joe was the host of Switchback along with co-host partner from Cape Girardeau, MO, John "Petro" Petty. Together they combined a mix of comedy, news and sheer audio entertaintment. Again, all the thanks go to the fans of Blue Man Group for making this a real dream come true. Switchback is nowing being archived online under the Archive.org web site. Check them out!

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Another side project I was involved with was being owner and broadcaster for BounceRadio.net. It is an online station that allows Broadcasters to connect up to their servers and stream broadcasts world wide. BounceRadio.net is commercial free Internet based radio station that focuses more on content, than the drawn out commercialized broadcasting those other stations have. They showcase the wide range of talents from hand selected broadcasters from all many countries worldwide. Sometimes, being privately owned and doing your own thing isn’t bad at all! Joe cancelled his weekly Crossroads show in July 2010 due to life obligations dealing with traveling for Blue Man Group, and upcoming wedding and life changes.

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It should be no secret to those local folk that I am a gospel singer, musician and song writer. There is nothing more greater in life than a good church service, good music playing and a free feeling of piece in one’s soul. I come from a long line of musical families that spans decades here in the mountains of Appalachia. To learn more about my gospel music and my family in general, head over to our official music site, TheSingingBurkes.com. Plenty of music samples, downloads, video clips and a wealth of information. Be sure to check out some of dad’s sermons in their entirety under the Gospel Ministry page.

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What does Joe Burke and gobblers have in common? Well, in the summer months, I had a side hobby which was making custom hand-crafted turkey calls. It’s true, I was once involved with a local craftsman who owns a wild game call company called Cane Creek Calls. I find it very rewarding and it takes a lot of practice to get the art perfected. It’s not uncommon for me to make somewhere around 100,000 mouth reed calls in a single summer. I am pretty good with my hands, and this is an art that demands perfection in each piece. I am proud that this knowledge has been passed down to me and that if you bought a Cane Creek Call mouth call between 2006-2008, chances are, I made it.