Joy: I met Houston Well's for the very first time at Dave Maybe's place. At that stage I didn't know who he was or anything about his music. Dave was recording various guitar tracks and asked me to come over and do some harmonies on some of his songs.

2. Were you aware of Houston's standing in the music industry back in the 1960's ?

Joy: No, I'm sorry to say. I have a fairly extensive knowledge of music because of my involvement in radio for 12 years, but I hadn't heard of Houston.

3. Looking at your website it seems obvious that you are qualified to judge another singers ability, How do you rate Houston as a singer ?

Joy: I think Houston is great. He chooses wonderful songs that showcase his voice and obvious talent. I know Rob has written a number of songs on the album and there is a good mix of originals as well as classics. I'm sure it will do great when it's released.

4. What do you remember most about the recording sessions for "Ireland" and "The Girl From Yesterday" ?, from recent correspondence you have said that it was a bit of a rushed affair

Joy: I was scared to death. Dave Maybe called me one morning and asked me to basically drop everything and drive over to Raglan to record harmonies on this album he was involved in. I do like to be a bit better organised than that. I had no idea what I was going to be harmonising to. That was the first time I heard the songs and when I heard "Ireland", I just thought WOW. That song should be a hit in that Country. It's really beautiful.

I spent about ten minutes listening to the song and trying to copy Houston's phrasing. I know I'd liked to have had more time to prepare. It was a pleasure being part of it.

5. You served as a country music DJ, what was the most gratifying thing about that line of work ?

Joy: I've only just stopped doing my show in Hamilton about a month ago. I have two hour pre-recorded shows that are still being played around NZ and via the internet. I have always enjoyed promoting the indie artist. I love the old classics like Charley Pride, Connie Smith, Merle Haggard etc... and I've always played them on my shows, but there's some great music around from fine artists who just don't have that big record deal. They are the one's I like to plug. I've always played a large percentage of NZ music as well which I think is very important.

6. You're now on tour with a chap named Kenny Dale, For those of us that aren't aware of who he is, Who is he ?

Joy: Kenny Dale is an American Artist who was a big hit here in NZ in the late 1970's, early 1980's. He had a number of hit songs here and NZ was the only country to give him Gold Record Status. Some of his great songs were "Bluest Heartache Of The Year", "Shame Shame On Me", "Two Hearts Tangled In Love". I had the pleasure of meeting and recording a duet with Kenny while I was in Nashville. It was me that talked him into coming out here.

7. What is your role on the Kenny Dale tour ?

Joy: I've added another feather to my cap and taken up the roll as promoter for this tour. We are doing 13 shows around the North Island and the show features a six piece backing band along with myself as support act and the very talented Guy Cater as compere. We have shows in Kaitaia, Whangarei, Tauranga, Te Kuiti, Napier, Gisborne, Taupo, Pukekohe, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Dannevirke, Rotorua and Thames.

8. You've had a few albums out of your own, what has the response been to your music overseas ?

Joy: I have recorded nine albums altogether. I started out as a songwriter. That is where I had my biggest success initially. I was lucky enough to win the NZ Country Music Association Songwriter of the year in 1990 and I've been actively involved in the Country Music Scene here in NZ ever since often judging awards and travelling around the country performing. I've also managed to get my music out to a much wider audience and enjoy good airplay throughout most European Countries. I have performed in Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Norway and work through Western Heart Promotions who actively push my music to the right places.

9. Are you still an active recording artist these days ?

Joy: I haven't recorded anything new for a while. At the moment I'm just out there promoting my older albums.

10. Whats on the agenda for Joy Adams in 2005 ? Any plans to be record more things ?

Joy: I have a few songs I wouldn't mind doing, but it's not on the immediate agenda. I'd like to do a 'live' DVD, Video. These days I do alot of comedy material and all I need is a great listening audience and I'm in my element. I'd love to record one of those shows and have it available. That would be my next mission.

The first thing I have to do is get The Kenny Dale Tour out of the way. The Bay Of Islands Country Music Festival is in May and always a highlight of my yearly calender. I have an another American Entertainer coming out in May and we'll be doing some shows together. In September I host the NZ Country Charity Concert which is held in Hamilton annually. This will be the 6th show and each year they just get bigger and better. All going well I'll be heading back over to Australia for the Mildura Country Music Festival in September/October. Somewhere throughout the year I'd like to go back to Norway and Denmark to perform. I just love it over there.

It would be great to do some shows with Houston. Who knows, maybe we could put something together. I sincerely wish Houston all the very best with his new album. I love the songs and his voice and it's a must for any Country Music Lover.