Joe Given Music

Joseph Given is a singer, songwriter, entertainer, from Surrey, BC.  He has played at well over 500 events and venues, and has received numerous music related awards.  

Joe's style treads the line between pop and alternative rock, with a touch of R&B.  With his smooth powerful voice, charismatic presence, and gift of story-telling, Joseph has the ability to connect with a wide range of audiences, offering dynamic and adaptable stage shows.   

Usually performing as a solo artist (vocals & guitar), Joe's shows have been up to 4 hours in length, and have ranged from restaurants and clubs, to private, community and charitable events, to galas and weddings.  He plays original music as well as a wide range of cover songs, (old & new).  

Joseph co-produced his second full Album, “So Much More,” which was released in Dec, 2012.  It combines Joe’s usual acoustic feel, with some synthesizers and computer beats.  

His single, "Terrifying Love", has received airplay on ten different Top 40 / Hot AC radio Billboard Stations in the US, and by August 23, 2014, it had moved up to #50 on the Mediabase Activator Chart.  

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Joseph has a University Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management.  He also has a University Diploma in Business Management.   

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 SOME OF JOSEPH'S MUSIC RELATED AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS: 

- Finalist & Won an Honorable Mention - in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition (ISC), in 2 Categories: Unsigned Only and Adult Contemporary - for “Terrifying Love” © by Joe Given (announced in 2014) 

- Finalist in the IAMA - International Acoustic Music Awards, (in the AAA category), for "Longer than Goodbye", (announced Feb, 2014)

- Winning Song - “Shy” - VIMBC “Great Canadian Song Race”, “Shy” © (co-written by Joe Given, Kirsten Collins & Christina Bearchell - & produced by Troy Samson), Oct, 2012.

- Won a (Service Above Self Surrey Youth) - “SASSY Award”, for Performing & Visual Arts, presented by the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), Oct 14, 2011 ($500 plus $500 donated to Free the Children)

- Nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition (CTC) for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. 2011. 

- Won a Dogwood District Authority Award Scholarship ($1,000), for excelling in the area of music, Oct, 2010

- Awarded the "Artistic Achievement Award" and a $500 Scholarship, from the Canadian Club of Vancouver, at the 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, May 27, 2010.

- Factor Demo Award - funding approved for $1600.00 - toward production of 5 songs on his 2010 album.

… more awards & details are listed below  

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Joe has been a judge, on several different panels, for music related shows and events.  He was also a committee member of the Youth Arts Council of Surrey (YACOS), from 2008-2011.  

With a love for acting, Joseph has had roles in Community Theatre Productions.  He was nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition, (CTC), for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the musical production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”,  2011.    (See below for more examples of Joseph's Theatre experiences).

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 SAMPLE OF SOME OF THE 500 EVENTS/VENUES, JOSEPH HAS PLAYED AT:

- Weddings, Conferences, many Private Events, as well as numerous community & charitable events.

- Bayshore Inn, Vancouver, BC - Rotary International Convention - Reception (Joe was the guest musician - Private Event).  Joe performed for an hour, as the guest musician, at the Reception.  He was also a guest at the Gala Dinner that followed. Oct 20, 2012

- The 2012 SASSY Awards Show - Hosted by the Semiahmoo Rotary, at the Bell Performing Arts Centre. Joe opened the Show with two songs, and he also presented an Award to one of the recipients. Oct, 2012 

- Played Showcases at VIMBC (Vancouver Island Music Business Conference), in 2010, 2011, and 2012.   

- Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, Vancouver -Wedding Celebration - Joe was the guest musician at this special celebration, Dec 31, 2011 

- The 2011 SASSY Awards Show - Joe was one of the Award recipients and was also one of the performers during the Show, Oct, 2011. 

- Community Theatre Coalition Awards Gala - at the Coast Capital Playhouse.  Joe was one of the performers, and he was also nominated for a CTC Award.  Sept 17, 2011

- Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver - Joe was a Guest performer at the Canadian Club of Vancouver: 2011 Maple Leaf Celebration - 10th Anniversary, May 18, 2011.  (Joe was a recipient of their Artistic Achievement Award in 2010).

- Various Restaurants and Lounges/Pubs with 3 - 4 hr. shows, including repeat performances at: The Vault Restaurant, (Surrey), Iguana’s Beach Grill, (White Rock, on the beach front); Pacific Inn, Manyana Lounge, (South Surrey); McJac’s Roadhouse Grille, (South Surrey); West Beach Bar and Grill, (White Rock); Beecher Street Cafe, (Crescent Beach), Dublin Crossing Irish Pub (Surrey), and others

- Was a regularly scheduled performer on Granville Island, (as part of the Summer Entertainment on Granville Island program), in 2009, 2010, and again in 2011

- Played 'Schroeder' in the musical: 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown' Feb 3-26, 2011 (15 shows), at Surrey Little Theatre.  For his role as Schroeder, Joe was later nominated by the CTC for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical..."

- Performed a pre-show 30 min. set of music, for the 8 nights of the play, 'Splinters', at the Surrey Little Theatre., Dec. 8 - 18, 2010. Joe also acted / played the role of Danny, in the play.

- Grand Opening Reception, for the Newton Cultural Centre, Surrey, Oct 2010

- The 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, through the Canadian Club of Vancouver

- Surrey 2010 Celebration Site at Holland Park, (during the Olympics)

- For the Luv of it Youth, 2009 and For the Luv of it Inspiration 2010, Vancouver, BC

- Surrey Shines 2006, 07, 08, 09 and 2010 (at the Surrey Arts Centre)

- The YMCA Power of Peace Awards, Nov 2009- Vancouver City Limits at the Beaumont Stage in 09 and at the Vancouver Rowing Club in 2010

- Music Festivals such as: Spirit of the Sea Festival in White Rock 06, 07, 08 & 09 & 11  -  Surrey Children’s Festival 08, 09 & 2010 - Merritt Mountain Music Festival 06 & 07 ... and more ... 

- Several events through the Cities of Surrey, Langley & White Rock, 07, 08, 09, 10 & 11 & 12

- Canada Day Celebrations in various cities: Langley 04, 05 & 2008 - Vancouver 2009, White Rock, 2010

- The Arts Council of Surrey’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, 2007 (& many other events with them, 07-11)

- National Anthems at numerous official opening ceremonies, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12

- And more ...

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 SONGWRITING & ALBUM - AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

- Finalist & Won an Honorable Mention - in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition (ISC), in 2 Categories: Unsigned Only & Adult Contemporary - for “Terrifying Love” © by Joe Given (announced in 2014) 

- Finalist - IAMA, International Acoustic Music Awards (AAA) “Longer than Goodbye” © by Joe Given -  (announced Feb, 2014)

- Winning Song - “Shy” - VIMBC “Great Canadian Song Race”, “Shy” © (co-written by Joe Given, Kirsten Collins & Christina Bearchell - & produced by Troy Samson), Oct, 2012.

- "I Believe In You" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention" - in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010 

- "Dance Till the Break of Dawn" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention"-  in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010. 

- "Falling For You" ©, was presented with an "Honorable Mention"- in the 17th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2010.

- “Home” ©, was presented with an “Honorable Mention” - in the 16th annual Billboard World Song Contest, 2009.

- “Home” ©, was one of the songs chosen to be included on the 2009 Music BC Compilation CD. (musicbc.org)

- “Home” ©, was placed on the “Honorable Mentions” list, in the International, Independent Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA), Song Contest, 2008

- “A Bigger Circle” ©, will be one of the songs, on the “Dream On !” website (coming soon), which will include music in alignment with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals of peace and justice, freedom, love and peaceful empowerment.

- “Every Day” ©, is on the Robbie Tucker Compilation Album for Parkinson's Awareness; Presented by “Musicians Against Parkinson’s” - 2008 . It was also awarded as one of the 2 winners on the album. See (mapmusic.org)

- “The Little Things” ©, is on track 13 of the “Make a Case Against Racism” compilation CD, which was presented by the BC Ministry of Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism (welcomebc.ca), and administered by Music BC (musicbc.org), in 2008. 

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 MORE OF JOSEPH'S MUSIC + PERFORMANCE  RELATED  AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS: 

- Finalist & Won an Honorable Mention - ISC, International Songwriting Competition (2 categories, Adult Contemporary and Unsigned Only) “Terrifying Love” © by Joe Given -  (announced in 2014) 

- Finalist - IAMA, International Acoustic Music Awards (AAA category) “Longer than Goodbye” © by Joe Given -  2014 

- Winning Song - “Shy” - VIMBC “Great Canadian Song Race”, “Shy” © (co-written by Joe Given, Kirsten Collins & Christina Bearchell - & produced by Troy Samson), Oct, 2012. 

- Won the 2011 Service Above Self - SASSY Award, for Performing & Visual Arts.  Presented by the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), at the SASSY Awards, (Bell Performing Arts Centre), Oct 14, 2011. ($500 plus $500 donated to "Free the Children"). Oct 14, 2011

- Nominated by the Community Theatre Coalition, (CTC), for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical”, for his role of ‘Schroeder’, in the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”,  2011.  

- Won a 2009/2010 Dogwood District Authority Award Scholarship, ($1,000), in the Fine Arts Category, for excelling in the area of music, awarded in October, 2010. 

- Awarded the "Artistic Achievement Award" and a $500 Scholarship, from the Canadian Club of Vancouver, at the 2010 Canada SOARS Awards, May 27, 2010.

- Factor Demo Award - for $1600.00 toward production of 5 songs on Joe’s 2010 Album.

- Awarded a $250.00 Scholarship at For the Luv of It Inspiration! 2010, from Carla Catherwood, and Debbie Catherwood, on behalf of a generous anonymous sponsor. Jan 10.
- Awarded a Scholarship at the For the Luv of It Youth show, from Chin Injeti (Hastings Set). Jan, 09

- One of the 1st Place winners of “Clayton’s Got Talent” High School talent show. 2008

- 1st Place: Clayton Idol (Clayton Heights Secondary School - gr. 8-12). Nov 2007

- 1st Place: Buskers Competition (for solo performers all ages) - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival, Aug 07 

- Awarded the Fran Dowie Vaudevillian Bursary: presented at the Youth Arts Council of Surrey’s “Surrey Shines 07”, and established by The Vaudevillians. Awarded Jan 07

- 1st Place: Buskers Competition (14 & under) - Cloverdale Blueberry Festival. Aug 06

- 1st Place: City Jam – Youth Talent Search – (under 14 yrs). May 06

- 1st Place: Best Performer * Singer (all ages) - Pizzazz International Model &Talent Search. Sept 05
- 1st Place: Overall Best Performer (kids/teens) - Pizzazz International Model &Talent Search. Sept 05

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 THEATRE EXPERIENCE:

Surrey Little Theatre: Joseph played Schroeder, in the musical: 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown', which had a 4 week run Feb 3-26, 2011, (15 shows).  * For his role as Schroeder, Joe was nominated by the CTC, for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical or Pantomine.

Surrey Little Theatre: Joe played the role of 'Danny', in the play: 'Splinters', which ran for 8 nights, Dec 8 - 18, 2010.  (He also played a pre-show 30 min. set of music each night of Splinters)

Clayton Heights Secondary High School:  Joe played the role of Dr. Emmett, in the play: “The Curious Savage” in Mar 2010, (grade 12). 

Clayton Heights Secondary High School:  Joe played the role of Willie, in the Musical / Panto: “Hickory Dickory Dock”, in Nov 2009, (grade 12). 

Clayton Heights Secondary High School:  Joe played the role of Randolph, in the Musical: “Bye Bye Birdie” in 2007.  

Surrey Arts Centre:  Joe was part of the chorus in the Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s 2003 Musical / Panto production of 'Little Red Riding Hood', which ran for 18 performances.