Ask any band and they will tell you, the bass player is crucial.
Joey Fanstar has been playing bass for bands in Central Arkansas for years. In doing so, he has established himself as a veteran musician and someone you can count on.
These days, Joey is flying solo. You can often find him playing solo or an acoustic set at a local venue.
Today, we learn more about local musician Joey Fanstar.
Bio:
Joey Fanstar is one of Arkansas’s premier bass players and entertainers. He has been actively involved in music since a very young age, both in band and orchestra, playing in all-region and all-state.
After being accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston but unable to afford tuition, he turned his eyes to the local music scene, where he joined bands Mayday By Midnight, Riverbilly, and Aces Wild in 2009. He has opened up for the likes of Kris Allen, Chris Young, Clint Black, Grand Funk Railroad, and Wild Cherry, just to name a few.
In 2017 he formed his own band, FANSTAR, which plays all over the central Arkansas area, and in 2018, Joey Fanstar was re-introduced to Kevin Blake Goodwin and Fretmonkey records, where he has had the opportunity to learn, grow, and perform with some of the world’s greatest musicians. He has been working on his debut album at Fretmonkey Studios and is due to release in 2022!
Genre:
Pop, rock, funk, jazz fusion, hip-hop
Band members (names):
Joey Fanstar
Favorite venue to play:
Library Kitchen in the Little Rock Rivermarket district
Music Influences & Inspiration:
Dave Matthews Band, Michael Jackson, Victor Wooten, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Hiromi Uehara
How did you get started?
My father played, and it was destined that I follow in his footsteps. My best friend, Brandon Rowell, handed me a CD when we were both 12 of him playing a solo to a rhythm track he made. That was all it took; he was so talented that I immediately wanted to become his bass player
Favorite song to cover? or Perform
Sidewalks by the Weeknd
How would you describe the music that you typically create/perform?
It’s all over the place! I try to encompass all genres in both my cover choices and my original music. My goal is to create music for people of all walks of life to enjoy!
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Jacob Collier, the songbird of our generation
How can we find you online and your upcoming events?
All of my social media accounts can be found under the name Joey Fanstar!
What do you enjoy doing outside of music?
Currently on a fitness journey so you can find me at Planet Fitness just about every day! I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 2018 and started playing bass on the worship team at Conway First Baptist Church at the end of that year.
This year, we started the Foundations F-260 Bible study, and it has done wonders for my faith. I try to be in the word and in prayer throughout a good bit of my day.
I also enjoy playing pool, as well as all kinds of board, card, and video games! I just like to have fun and enjoy life, with opportunities to serve and glorify our Heavenly Father as often as I can.
Wrapping it up
Joey is a regular in Central Arkansas at many venues.
You can catch up with Joey on social media channels Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat using his name Joey Fanstar.
Todd is a copywriter, content strategist, digital marketer and the Publisher for Conway Scene. He enjoys coffee from the local coffee shops, learning the stories of new friends, pro wrestling, and dirt track racing.