Joe Tullos, born Joseph Coleman Tullos, Jr., a respected New Orleans musician, singer-songwriter, whose band Big Sun OffBeat recognized as a “band to watch” in 1997, died November 10 after a battle with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Joe began his musical career in his mid-teens with bands like Odyssey and JT & The Gutter Sharks, and attracted a big local following. Tullos released the first Big Sun recording in 1993 to rave reviews and earned an even bigger fan base and recognition by notable musicians. Big Sun toured the US as a headliner and as support act for the Meters, the subdudes and Leon Russell, to name a few. Joe asked guitarist Bill Dillon (who has recorded on hundreds of recordings by Daniel Lanois, Robbie Robertson, U2, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan among many others) to perform with him at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
This triggered a friendship that would give birth to new demo recordings with Big Sun that attracted the attention of many record labels, including Hollywood Records. Joe settled on a local label, Dinosaur Records, with a distribution deal with BMG for the solo release Joe Tullos – The Scoundrels Waltz, released in 1997. It was produced by Mike Napolitano and featured musicians from Blind Melon and The Squirrel Nut Zippers, and was recorded primarily at Daniel Lanois’ Kingsway Recording Studio on Esplanade Avenue and mixed by Trina Shoemaker at Dockside Recording Studios in Maurice, Louisiana.
Big Sun. Joe Tullos is second from left.
According to relatives, Joe passed peacefully, with his family at his side: his wife and partner of 40 years, Andrea, and his three children Justine 29, Cole 25, and Jolie 23. Joe’s wish was to go out in his own way, and due to the progression of the cancer he decided against radical treatments. His passionate wish was to complete as much recording of his music as possible before he was unable to work anymore.
To assist him in fulfilling his wish, three old friends helped produce his final recording. The sessions were held at the French Quarter studio of life-long friend, bandmate and drummer of Big Sun, Kevin Aucoin; keyboardist/accordionist/vocalist and music director for the project Mark “Byrdawg” Dillon; and long-time family friend, artist manager and New Orleans music producer, Michael Paz. Fellow band members from the Big Sun era assisted and included Randy Ellis (guitars); James Slaughter (bass); Stephen “Beaver” Montz (guitar/bass/vocals); Brian Stoltz (guitar); and Melanie Scott (vocals). Musician friends from North Carolina, Stu Cole (bass/guitars/dobro) and Rob Sharer (violin/viola), came to add their contributions to the music. New Orleans musicians Beth Paxton (bouzouki/oboe); Dave Easley (pedal steel) and Alex Price (cello), also added their own special seasoning to the recordings.
Joe’s family, including his parents and siblings and many close friends from his childhood, and friends from Florida, North Carolina and the Northeast came to surround him with love and support during the production of this album. The project is currently being mixed by Steve Himelfarb, who has been part of Joe’s team since the Big Sun album, which was recorded in 1992 at Southlake and New Orleans Recording Studios. This dedicated group of music professionals and loyal friends are finalizing his vision, due for release in the near future.
Joe recently finished his part of the recording project that was his brainchild. After meeting with his musical brother and drummer Kevin Aucoin and guitarist/singer/songwriter Dave Malone of The Radiators, the “River Road Collective” was born. The three musicians collaborated on songs penned by Malone and Tullos, and recorded the songs (produced by Kevin and Dave) in Aucoin’s studio. Completing the rhythm section on that project was bassist Frank Girard and keyboardist Michael “Mikey B3” Burkart. Dave’s brother, Tommy Malone of the subdudes, joined them for one song. That release is forthcoming.
Joe spent 20 years in North Carolina designing and building a dream home for his family and opening a restaurant in Hillsborough all the while continuing recording music and performing with bands JO JO’s Tree Service, The Meek and The Bold Chorus. The family and management are planning other releases of Joe’s music from his archives sometime in the future.
