Joe Peters

Joe Peters’ Bio

I am a self-made, singer-songwriter who has released over a dozen CDs of original songs since 1998, as well as other compilations of Americana and Celtic music. I grew up in the American Midwest during the 1960s and 70s, and my songs hearken back to a time when the youth of the planet sought the experience of peace, love and adventure and expressed this search in their music.  Through my own music, I have tried to rekindle in others that spark of the seeker of truth on a spiritual journey that was awakened in me long ago by the songs of introspective songwriters and recording artists. Prior to embarking on a full-time career in music, I earned three academic degrees, served for two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ecuador, conducted Ph.D. research on national parks in Madagascar, taught natural resources management at Grand Valley State University, and obtained Fulbright grants for research and teaching in Vietnam and Cambodia. I spent many years studying, traveling and working overseas, returning to the U.S. in 2006 to care for my aging parents. My nature-based background, my study of Eastern philosophies and my scientific bent all inform my songwriting. I am former president of the Songwriters Association of Midnorth Indiana (SAMI). My music has been frequently featured on folk radio stations around the nation and abroad, both broadcast and online. My song, Sail Away won the first Blooming-Tunes songwriting contest in 2009 (Bloomington, Indiana). My original musical slide show, Root of the Matter, is featured on the website of Catholic Relief Services, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.