She’s not forced, but she is a FORCE! She’s CRAZY, SEXY and COOL rolled up into one hipster being. Her name is Joi by birth, not by stage… fittingly so, and every time I see her a smile comes across my face as if she is my long lost best friend. But that IS the way she makes you feel …an old school familiarity and kinship. The most beautiful thing about her is that she makes NO EXCUSES, she takes life by the horns and rides!!! She is in it for the love of the GAME!!!! It wouldn’t be until I started to do some research on her for an upcoming project that I would come to realize that her passion is deeply rooted in her genes.
The year was 1972 when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Joi’s father, a two time all-american from Tennessee State, as the 2nd black quarterback ever in the NFL. Joi’s grandfather was the defensive coach for his sons team in college and their love for the GAME would carry them far. Her dad would get an opportunity to finally become a starting player for the Pittsburgh Steelers the year Terry Bradshaw and others went on strike in 1974. He would lead his team to a Superbowl VICTORY!!!! Years later Joi’s grandfather Joe Gilliam Sr. would become HEAD coach of the TSU football team.
The SECRET to this entry is FUNDAMENTAL. Remember as we cross paths with people everyday that they are the sum of many parts. I was intrigued to learn more about Joi’s fathers turbulent life after football, the RACISM in the league led him to years of substance abuse, but before his death, he turned his life around; and was sober for an amazing 4 years.
Joi’s family history is a testimony to her own relentless spirit. She performs in front of 50 people as passionately as she does for 5000. Her love for the game of LIFE and MUSIC is what keeps her authentically moving ahead, past all of the chart seekers and paper chasers is a real WOMAN, a MOTHER who is a living legacy of PASSION and HOPE. Happy Mother’s Day… to a Mom who Rocks…JOI!!!!
Below is one of the sexiest songs ever recorded…Joi…Sunshine & the Rain.
The first time I saw Joi perform was over 13 years ago at a groove they used to call the house of love. She mesmorized everyone with her songs of sensuality.
Tags: joi, lisa cunningham, sugarhill, sunshine and the rain, tennessee slim
