JOEY McINTYRE

Another year, another milestone for Joey McIntyre. On January 9, 2005, Joe Mac wrapped up a 6-month stint as the male lead, Fiyero, in the Broadway musical smash, “Wicked.” For the historical record Joey’s final curtain coincided with Tony Winner Idina Menzell’s last performance.

  “Performing on Broadway is an amazing thrill. I love almost everything about it- eight shows a week is no joke, but I even love that. And to make my debut in WICKED was a real gift. I had a blast and I look forward to doing more theatre in the future.”

At the moment Joey is weighing some career opportunities and promises to make them known first on his website.

 “As artist, I get pulled in different directions, so I kind of have to ride the wave and go with the flow. Music, theatre, TV, film are all different kinds of my expression and I just try to put out good, honest energy and trust the right thing will come.”

Meanwhile, Joey has regained control of his latest studio album, “8:09” and is looking for new ways to get his music and message to the public.

  “Although I’m disappointed that my record company didn’t deliver, I am very happy to have full ownership of my CD again. The music business has changed tremendously in the last few years, which is good and bad. But in the end, there is the music. I’ve always written my own music, so the connection is intrinsic. And in today’s market I believe that holds the most value.”

8:09 (2004)

It has been over two years since Joey McIntyre released his last studio album, but during that time Joey's career has broadened with starring turns on the New York Stage (Jonathan Larson's "tick, tick, Boom!"), TV ("Boston Public"), and film (Tony and Tina's Wedding," due later in 2004). For those who have discovered Joey McIntyre's versatility and wide-ranging talent in the last few years, his days as the youngest New Kid On The Block feel like an eternity ago and a world apart. The legacy of 35 million records sold and a regimen of sold-out stadium concerts around the world spawned a veritable Boy Band Industry that all started with five working class kids from Boston.

All this brings us to the release of 8:09, Joey McIntyre's most fully realized musical undertaking to date. The album is a personal pop statement, reflecting life, love and career at thirty - ten finely crafted songs that hit many different musical and emotional notes.

"When I moved out west I didn't plan on making a record, but soon I felt compelled to express what I was feeling about my new environment and the changes going on in my life. In that sense it happened organically. My records have always started that way. And this one took the same course. I had to write about it."

Joey wrote all the songs on 8:09 with Emanuel Kiriakou ("Eman") who first collaborated with Joey on "Meet Joe Mac" (2001). Since then, Eman has accompanied Joey on tour in an acoustic performance affectionately dubbed, "a one man show with two people." It is all preserved on the limited edition live CD, "One Too Many," recorded at Joe's Pub in New York City in April, 2002.

"I've been in love before, but when I met Barrett, I told Eman, "this is different." We started that one right then and there. When you are really ready to give your heart over to someone, it can bring you to your knees, but it also makes for some great songs."

The album was produced by Eman at Gearbox Studios in Los Angeles. Most of it was recorded during Joey's down time portraying English teacher Colin Flynn on Fox-TV's 'Boston Public.' The album was mixed in New York at The Hit Factory by Tony Maserati except for 'L.A. Blue' which was mixed at Ocean Way Studios in L.A. (where else?) by Jack Joseph Puig.

"There was a good vibe about this record from the beginning and the karma continued. I was lucky to have such talented musicians and engineers to work with me on this project."

With over half his relatively young life spent in show business and the sometimes surrealistic world of pop stardom, Joey feels he has just now created the music which is truly expressive of his life and personal aspirations.

"I feel fortunate that I had the freedom to create another independent studio album where I can put my name above the title and know that this is exactly what I want people to hear. My goal was to make sure that the honesty and integrity of each song was real."

"8:09 is the best piece of music I have ever been associated with. And I really believe it will resonate with people. This is the one."

“We’ve been together for such a long time, now- music and me”

  And we will be for some time to come. Now when I think of music, I think of singing. I love to sing. Sometimes its more fun to sing on stage or in a recording studio, but it feels the best when a song, old or one I am making up on the spot, pops into my head and I sing it around the house.

  That’s music to me first. I love to rock and I love to belt it out, but I think I was a born crooner. I just don’t think I’m ready to hang up the leather pants, yet, although, I guess I can croon in a hip new way, which I think I do already…O.K. I think I’m figuring this all out.

  Currently, I give you my latest album. (I’m dating myself, that’s C.D. for you kids out there). It is titled “8:09”. Ten songs I wrote with the talented Mr. Emanuel Kiriakou. Mr. Kiriakou also produced it. He is, as I’ve said many times in the past, incredibly gifted and totally invested in whatever he is doing. I wager that will be making music from now until the end of time. I would take him over any producer out there, because he can do it all and is also sensitive to the creative process.

  So, these songs are classic. (Why be modest)? We wrote songs that to me are timeless. They are influenced by all kinds of music and they are fresh and sound really good and funky. However, when you strip away everything- the bells and whistles, the little tricks- you have a song. One with a melody, that you can sing with an acoustic guitar and hear in its purist form and still be touched by it.

  I have just recently “bought back” my record from Artemis Records. I entered that deal thinking we would be supported and promoted strongly and passionately at radio, but unfortunately we were not. No big surprise in this day and age of the music business, but no less disappointing. But I now, once again, am the sole or should I say “soul” owner of “8:09.”