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Joe Sizemore formed
his first R&B band at age 14 and performed for the next six years in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee,
and South Carolina. He also performed with the Roanoke Symphony and the All US Orchestra's European Tour before graduating
high school. North Texas State University, Old Dominion University, and the US Army provided further musical training
for Joe offering many opportunities for performance and recording. His trumpet has carried him to nine European
countries, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, three cruise lines in the Caribbean, Jamaica, and both coasts of the United States.
He has performed with Percy Sledge, The Craig Woolard Band, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Sam and Dave, to name a few.
Mr. Sizemore enjoys performing with his
North Carolina friends in The Craig Woolard Band, The Coastline Band, The Fantastic Shakers, The Breeze, The Embers, Scearce
and Ketner. "These are the pros in our area, and I learn everytime i sit in", says Joe. He has jammed at five Jamzica
Jazz Festivals, with jazz greats Sonny Bradshaw, Barbara Walker, Clifford Murphy, Byard Lancaster, to name
just a few. He has performed in major venues world wide, such as Town Hall in New York, The Alabama Theater
and numerous clubs in Myrtle Beach, the Chef's Clef, Club Trio, Mills House in Charleston, Almond Tree Park in
Ocho Rios, Coral Cliffs in Montego Bay, and on three major cruise lines. " In addition to trumpet and flugelhorn, Joe
is always expanding his vocal repertoire. "Julie is my vocal coach and inspiration. I sang some back up, but except
for "Wooly Bully" (my brother's favorite) I left the vocal leads to others. Now I am called on to sing everything from Otis
Redding to Van Morrison , from Jimmy Buffet to James Taylor".
A graduate the University of North Carolina ,
Julie Sizemore says, "There is only one real Carolina, and it's in Chapel Hill", Julie majored in percussion
and was the first percussion winner of the UNC Concerto Competition. Classical piano training during her formative years and
the broad musical exposure provided by her parents allows Overboard to span many musical genres. Julie's parents performed
country and folk with Mama Gail on guitar and vocals and Daddy Frank on bass. Her parents are also long time shaggers
(that's a dance style for you international readers), which piqued Julie's interest in beach, boogie, and blues. Her dad also
spent his college years (also UNC) as a DJ and was hip to the jazz scene of the '50s. She was named after the great vocalist
Julie London. "Meeting Myrna Hague and performing in Jamaica may well be the biggest thrill of my vocal career,"
says Julie. "She (Myrna) would be a wonderful role model for any singer." Since joining and headlining for Overboard,
Julie has performed in North Carolina, Ocho Rios, Motego Bay, and Kingstown, Jamaica. She has made cameo appearances
in Deltaville, Virginia and aboard Royal Carribean's Monarch of the Sea.
Hope Plunkett has been with Joe Sizemore and Overboard
since 2003, and has performed at three Jamaica Jazz Festivals. She is a favorite to our Jamaican fans, and is affectionately
known as "Hopay" in Ocho Rios and the North Coast. Hope is also an exhibited artist with works on canvas and glass. She is
opening a new studio in Bath, North Carolina. Watch for her Grand Opening, coming soon!
Kenneth Polk, a graduate of IUP and a music educator in
eastern North Carolina, has played with Joe Sizemore's various ensembles for almost 25 years performing Jazz, Rock, Beach,
and Blues from Toronto to Florida. Ken has also performed in every Jamaica Jazz Festival that Joe has attended, including
their headliner debut at the South Coast Jazz Festival in 2006. Ken Polk is best known for his smooth trombone style, but
has served as composer/arranger for several bands. Ken is currently teaching bands in Plymouth, North Carolina and lives with
his wife, Malissa and their two children, Daniel and Kristina
Ben Taylor, saxophonist extraordinaire,
has performed with variety of bands from Raleigh to the coast. Mr. Taylor has been part of Overboard since the Jamaica Jam ensembles
in 2006 and was well received at the South Coast Festival in Treasure Beach. Best known for his sometimes lyrical and
other times wailing solos, Ben brings a musical passion that elevates Overboard to the next level.
Click HERE for LeAnne's site
We are truly blessed with the talented LeAnne
Aycock. A graduate of Greene Central High School and headliner for the Ramblers, LeAnne's vocal talents have
enthralled listeners from down east clubs to Jamaican street festivals and resorts. She is starting her second season with
Joe Sizemore and Overboard and is a featured soloist and an integral part of the band's unique harmonies. LeAnne is married
and lives in Holly Springs with her cats and husband Mike, where she is finishing her Business Administration degree from
North Carolina Wesleyan College.
Mitch Hines is the newest addition
to Joe Sizemore and Overboard. He first joined the Jazz Trio and soon found his way to the Beach, Boogie, and Blues Band.
Since then his keyboard has helped give the ensemble more depth and definition harmonically while expanding the improvisational
capabilities. Mitch also adds a vocal presence with his harmonies and occasional vocal lead.
Click HERE for Mike's Web.
Mike Aycock "The Sultan of Sound" is our sound engineer
and mixes those great sounds for pre show and breaks. He is the guy that makes it all come together for our audiences and
makes sure each musician can hear the mix. Mike has been mixing sound for local groups and night club bands since the
early '80's. He also ran sound for the East Carolina University Student Center while in college for on-campus events such
as Mike Cross and other artists and bands.
Mike's hobbies include photography and adjudicating high school marching
band and percussion emsemble shows throughout the country. He is a certified judge with the North Carolina Bandmasters Association
and Florida Federation of Judges Association.He judges regionally for Winter Guard International (WGI) as a percussion visual
adjudicator as well as 3 local WGI percussion circuits. He judges nationally with the United States Scholastic Band Association.
Mike holds double bachelor degrees with summa cum laude honors from North
Carolina Wesleyan College in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration.
Our thanks to Steven Norris for the great pictures. Steve is our photographer and important to our band family. To view a sample
of Steve's beautiful work, click HERE.
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