Local singer inching closer to his big Nashville break

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County Times
ATWOOD – The little Franklin County community of Atwood has a little secret that is getting increasingly difficult to hide.
The secret's name is Joseph Baldwin, and he's aggressively working the club circuit in his journey to Nashville greatness.
"I don't have any big dreams of a big recording career so that I can't get depressed if it doesn't happen," Baldwin said.
But, what Baldwin does have is talent – and lots of it. While he has been singing and song-writing for years, Baldwin has been able to work his way into local nightclubs after winning a competition last fall in Panama City.
"It's kind of funny," Baldwin said. "I was a finalist in the competition in Panama City before I even knew I was entered as a contestant."
A Panama City disc jockey heard Baldwin's CD and entered him in the competition, which was a part of the city's Shrimp and Oyster Festival.
"A friend called me and told me they had been playing my music on the radio and that I was a finalist in the competition," Baldwin said.
After calling the radio station sponsoring the contest, Baldwin found himself in Panama City playing at the competition and taking home the top prize.
Baldwin opened for Jeff Bates the next night as part of the first-place prize and was given an audition for Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville.
"I had been trying for about a year to get an audition for Tootsie's without success," Baldwin said. "I auditioned on a Sunday and ended up staying until Wednesday. I played every day I was there."
He now plays two shows at Tootsie's every Sunday.
Baldwin also opened up a show for Jason Aldean, another first-place prize perk from the competition.
In the past year, Baldwin has been presented with numerous opportunities to perform, and is thankful for everyone who embraces his music.
"I perform somewhere every night," Baldwin said. "I have about 100 shows scheduled between now and the first of the year."
He added that everyday something new happens that gets him a little closer to Nashville. However, Atwood will always be his home regardless of his future in the music business.
"I am a star everyday to my hometown people," Baldwin said. "I am never going to leave my hometown."
He does admit that he will take up a Nashville address if needed to land a record deal but will always call Atwood his home.
Baldwin has three CDs that include original material. They were recorded at Night Town Studios in Golden, Miss. and Arrowhead Studios in Panama City.
His music is available exclusively through Baldwin and some of his family members. He said that if a record deal does come through he plans to release his current music.
Until then, he plans to continue on his journey to music row or where ever it may go. For more information on Baldwin's show dates and his music, log onto www.myspace.com/josephbaldwincountry.