A conversation with Tribute Artist Joe Zirconia is as informative as it is funny. Every fact about his history is accompanied by a relevant joke and shameless laughter. That positive attitude must be the reason he has loved every job he’s had, but he will tell you it is because each one was amazing.
Joe Zirconia’s adult life has been a pattern of service to his country and to the music industry. His mother was in the Marines, his father in the army. Joe himself joined the Navy straight out of high school and served for four years.
For 12 years, Joe sang in a rock band called the Fuzzy Monkey. “What do you call someone with no talent who hangs out around musicians?” he asked. “A singer.”
The band shortened their name to the Fuzz before disbanded. It is a little ironic, since Joe actually joined the police force during that time. A local precinct was recruiting and he took the job on a bet.
It stuck for 20 years. He worked for a department in Cook County, Illinois, but was sectioned out often to work for other groups like the DEA. His team was responsible for taking out the single largest grower in criminal history.
“My department, we were doing good things. That’s what gets you up in the morning- there are things that make you feel good when the day is done.”
Joe has also worked as an air personality for a couple different radio shows. At St. Xavier College, where he studied Communication, Journalism, and English, he had his own station. That experience helped him get a position on a show in Michigan.
Even his side jobs in landscaping were a great experience. “Landscape is a crappy job,” he said, “But when you leave, you’ve made the place better. It’s the same with performances. You can’t ask for a better job than that.”
Now Joe is “living the dream” as a local tribute artist. He covers Neil Diamond songs for events, parties, and bars.
It began on accident. He was testing the sound equipment for another performer and decided to sing a little Diamond into the mic. Joe did not know that the front row were diehard fans. They requested more songs, and soon performers were inviting him to open for them.
Joe attributes his success as a Neil Diamond cover artist to the similarities in their singing voices. “My natural singing voice has that inflection. We have the same range. It was a good fit.”
In 2015 Joe performed 129 shows. This year he is on pace to beat that number. He works with a lot of other entertainers, who all help each other get more gigs through word of mouth and recommendations.
“We’re not really competing,” said Joe. “The market is kinda weird. Some people want to see Elvis. Some people want to see something a little different.”
With this alliance Joe and his peers are able to bounce ideas off each other. They can focus more on entertaining than fighting for work.
“The bottom line is it’s fun. If we’re having fun it goes out in the audience. I’d like to transfer as much of that fun as possible.”
Joe has belted his tunes as quaint nursing homes and at benefits filled to capacity. He has sound equipment to turn a backyard into a drive in theatre. Every year he sings the national anthem for the Railcats stadium. He was recognized at his grand daughter’s school and made to sing right there in the main office.
He and his “absolutely awesome” wife are raising their grandchildren in Portage. Joe spent 30 years living on the outskirts of town and recently moved closer to the hub. “I really like the area. I fell in love with the place. I’ve been able to drive around and see more of it, and the people are absolutely great.”
The one downside was a lack of information upon first moving into the city limits. He suggested making a welcome packet that told new neighbors what needed doing and where to go to for certain services. The mayor adopted the policy.
Joe said that the best cops were not the most upstanding citizens- but it seems that this retired officer is still looking out for those around him. That makes him worth our Spotlight.