Joseph Collet

Born June 4, 1975 in New Orleans, La

Sound/Lighting Engineer and Manager

            Born in the “Big Easy” Joe was exposed to the culture and music’s importance in life at a very young age.   Joe and his parents were always involved in various community music and arts events.  Over the years his family moved quite a bit and by the end high school he had lived in 11 different cities all over the country.  In his travels he was exposed musicians and talent of all types; dancers, pianist, actors, horn, guitar, harp, and organ players as well as the behind the scenes involvement.  His first instrument was the piano.  Although the lessons didn’t last long it gave him a good grasp of theory that helped him to move onto alto saxophone playing in grade school and high school jazz and big bands as well as other theatrical productions.    In his early high school years he restrung his mother’s old acoustic guitar left-handed and he discovered “his true” instrument. 

                Continuing to play all through high school jamming with friends but moving too much to form a solid band, he finally made a move on his own from Chicago to Richmond.  It was here that he finally found his passion in performance music. Although not his first big concert, the one that really turned him on was his first Grateful Dead show 1994 at RFK stadium.  He was hooked.  He began working his butt off to be able to go and see as many live shows as possible.  After getting frustrated tracking down live recordings of his favorite bands, Joe and his long time friend Brad Kirby got heavily into the taping scene recording every show they could..  Although Phish ended up being his favorite live band there are still tons of shows that he loves to recall.  Joe longed to be a part of this kind of production. 

In addition to being a musician Joe has solid experience in the arts and production.  He has worked for the Richmond Ballet helping do load in and strikes learning what it really takes to put on a professional show.  He has used that experience in for the last seven years putting on mini-festivals with his band Central Garage.  Joe is a “jack of all trades” of sorts when it comes to a live show.  Being the onstage player and sound guy for his band he has taken that knowledge and started his own sound/lighting and recording company, Widedyed Audio.  He has worked with several regional and national bands in Virginia such as Brown Sabbath, Walnut Grove, The Codetalkers,  The Spaceheaters, Keller Williams, Harrison Deane Band, Katana Mantra, Kings Solomon’s Marbles, Sun Dried Opossum, Global Chillage, Blue Line Highway, 7lb Star, Undr8ed and now 11^th House.   

He has enjoyed the challenge of preparation as well as learning the “think on the fly” mindset it takes being involved in producing a quality show.  Now he is applying everything he has learned to create that experience for his friends in 11^th House.    

 Joe Collet -Manager (804)852-1421 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it