Joey & Jennye – Two Hearts Beating One Melody
BY VICTORIA STEWART; PHOTOS BY SONJA REVELLS
Musicians Joey and Jennye have been married for 29 years and are one of the most sought-after music duos in Panama City and Panama City Beach. They frequently perform at Margaritaville in Pier Park, Shorty’s on 30A, Millie’s in Downtown Panama City, and, during peak season, they play many venues from South Walton to Apalachicola and even in Key West, just to name a few. Their upbeat tunes create instant happiness. As they go from song to song effortlessly, there are no side conversations between them and they are perfectly in tune with each other. No egos will be found in this duo, only honest hard-working musicians whose combined passion for music shines through at every performance. Whether working together or independently, they hold each other up and push each other to be their best. They live in Panama City Beach and have two children, a daughter, Marlee (21) and a son, David (15), and a grandson, Kayden (2).
PCL: How did you meet?
Joey: “We were at a mutual friend’s wedding. I was playing in a band at the reception where Jennye was a guest. I was taken by her looks, she was beautiful. She said she was a singer and that was another plus! During a break, I took my guitar and we talked and sang songs. Not only was she beautiful, she was friendly and I loved her voice.”
Jennye: “The band’s drummer introduced me to Joey. I was interested right off the bat. He was an awesome guitar player and I noticed that during the break he wasn’t partying. I remember, one of the first songs we worked on was “Leather and Lace”. Our voices and harmonies instantly blended… we were meant to be together forever!” [Her eyes sparkle.]
PCL: How did you propose?
Joey: “My sister and Jennye had been shopping and Jennye had seen a ring at an antique show. It was her birthstone and my sister went back and picked it up for me. I held on to it for a couple of weeks and we took a trip to Ft. Walton for a weekend and were eating dinner at The Seagull Restaurant. I remember being so nervous that before we even ordered food, I threw the ring across the table at her!”
[They lock eyes and grin at each other.]Jennye: “It was in a little black velvet box. I threw it back to him and said ‘Hold on to that until we go to the beach later.’ I knew what it was, but wanted it to be more romantic.“
PCL: What made you leave your regular jobs in Birmingham and move to Panama City Beach to play music for a living?
Joey: “It was always what we both dreamt of doing. As a teenager, I always wanted to play lead guitar and would sit for hours trying to replicate bands I would hear. Many times I would wake up with my guitar still strapped around my neck from practicing. So one night after a Sting concert, we had a heart- to-heart talk and made a combined decision to move and pursue our music full time.”
Jennye: “I began singing in bands as a teenager and during college I continued to pursue a career in music and early childhood education. I agreed with Joey that we should take the leap of faith and chase our dream.”
PCL: Do you have a Valentine’s Day Tradition?
Joey: “We don’t do anything special for Valentine’s Day; we love on each other every day! Being in the business we are in, a lot of times we are working on Valentine’s Day.”
Jennye: “ ‘Love is patient, love is kind…’ were our wedding vows and it is not just on special occasions that we show our love, it is in the day-to-day living. “
PCL: Who picks the music you will be performing?
Joey: “We don’t have a set list picked out before we perform. We usually just go from song to song by reading the mood of the audience.”
Jennye: [grinning] “And we almost always pick the same song.”
PCL: What advice do you have for married couples?
Joey: “Trust. If you can’t trust somebody you don’t need to be with them in the first place.”
Jennye: “Never go to bed mad and don’t be jealous.”
PCL: Although music is your primary source of income, do either of you work outside of that?
Joey: “I’m a partner in a company called Country Life Outfitters and I am also a realtor. I also sit in with other bands in the area for a pick-up job every now and then”.
Jennye: “I’ve been working with children of all ages for more than 15 years, but this year, I began working at the University Academy. I am teaching 2nd through 5th graders in the Rock-‘n’-Roll Academy program. It is a program that encourages children to learn and create music through exploration. It is a hands-on program that aims to “Seek Mystery Not Answers.”
PCL: Have you played with any interesting or famous musicians?
Joey: We’ve played with Bob Marley’s band, “The Wailers.” We played with the lead guitarist from the Marshall Tucker Band (Toy Caldwell). We were the opening act at Spinnaker when they used to have concerts. We opened for Fleetwood Mac, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Eddie Money, The Wailers and more. Within the past few years, I have played a couple of functions with Emeril Lagasse and Morgan Freeman.”
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Check out joeyshaling.com for more information
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