Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joey Thurmond. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joey , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

First, thank you and all of your readers for the wonderful opportunity to interviewed. I’m truly honored to be able to share part of my story with you and appreciate the time that your readers take to engage with me. It really does mean more than you may realize.
Being an entertainer in different mediums from TV and film, to music, and live shows I think that the most meaningful projects are the ones that I’m working on at the time. When someone trusts you to entertain them they are asking that you relieve them from their current stresses and anxieties. They are asking that the entertainer provide an opportunity to change their mood and possibly their well being. They’re not asking you to change their mind or create more internal conflict. They are seeking a bit of peace of mind to escape for just a period of time. With that being said I feel that it’s so important for an entertainer to contribute everything of themselves to the particular piece they are working on at the time. Now if I were to try and pick select pieces of work that I’ve done for example a movie that was more meaningful, it has got to be the soon to be released movie There Was Time. The examples of story, imagery, and resolution are so involved, detailed, and meaningful to so many people that even though it’s a movie that I directed, I feel that it will literally change lives for the good. The next piece of creativity that I would refer to is the new music album that The Select Orchestra and I are just finishing up called “I Have Decided” (release spring 2026). The music and lyrics in this album are so heartfelt and honest that I can’t wait to see how God uses it. The title song I Have Decided was written by our Conductor Mr. James Owmby who penned a song that is so beautiful and touching it absolutely had to be the title song and first single released from the album. The Select Orchestra didn’t just write music to accompany it, it’s literally a symphony.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I come from a pretty simple start. Born and raised in Dallas GA a small town located about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta GA. I grew up what others would consider below the poverty level or poor but, never felt that. My parents worked hard every day just like everyone else in the area and scratched out a great life and childhood for me. The little house I grew up in was built by my Grandparents and literally from the trees that occupied the land where the house stood. We had an outhouse (outdoor toilet) for a few years that I can barely remember but, through hard work and help from family and neighbors that little house was a fantastic home full of love.
I always wanted to be an entertainer. I remember how it made me feel when someone would laugh at something I had done or said or would watch as I done something ridiculous, and it just made me feel like I had purpose. Not for notoriety or praise but, more that it had made them feel good. I really enjoyed that. My first “job” as an entertainer was as a professional wrestler. I worked exceptionally hard as most guys do to get into the business and be successful. I am thankful that I was able to get to a level that only a few have reached. I personally would have liked to enjoyed it longer but, a career ending injury put a halt to that career. That being said there are only a few thousand people to have ever made it to the ultimate level of professional wrestling and I am one of those and I’m grateful for that. I by chance, done some background work on a large movie some years later and enjoyed that and that sparked what would turn into me being able to appear or star in over 70 movies and television shows in roles from cameo to lead. In 2021 I was honored to be a part of the cast of the Spike Lee produced film Son of the South as we won Best Cast Ensemble and Film of the Year Awards in Cannes. I have since been nominated for other awards in film including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Film. I began to dabble into music at the urging of friends and family, recorded and released my first album Stealing the Covers and a few Holiday songs. The music video for Rose in Paradise has won awards on it’s own merit directed by Brian Alexander. The holiday release Merry Christmas Baby in 2025 went on to become a #1 streaming song.
I am blessed to now be appearing and touring with The Select Orchestra made up of world class musicians and backup singers. It amazes me how talented this group of people are and more importantly how quickly they have came together to form a true family. The show Especially for You is a classic Las Vegas style production made up of music made famous by the likes of Wayne Newton, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Mickey Gilley, as well as original music. I love the fact that we are not an impersonation or tribute group and that we are able to keep the music alive, make it our own, & create new experiences for the fans. I always use the phrase “I don’t put on concerts. I produce experiences”. The fact that we take on a fan first attitude for our live shows, how we do business, and truly employ the Golden Rule is something that I am so very proud of. You can literally feel it during the shows, rehearsals or anytime this group of people are together. It really is something special.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think that today’s accessibility to so many variables of entertainment is wonderful, it truly is. It provides so many opportunities for those who may not get the chance to gain exposure and reward for their art an outlet. There is still so much to gain from live performances. As someone who truly thrives on live performance both performing and consuming I think it’s so important to consume and participate in live arts. There’s nothing like being a part of a crowd or group as you journey together through a play, or concert, or whatever. I can look at pictures painted by great artists all day long on my phone screen in detail but, there is nothing like being able to stand before the art live and see it in it’s totality. The artists no matter what their medium is literally crave an audience to consume their work. So, what can society do to best support artists? Go to shows! Go to galleries! Go to live art and be a part! I think that there are few things in life more exciting than when an audience member realizes they are probably never going to see anyone that is in that audience again and allow themselves to really enjoy and become a part of the experience. Collectively, when everyone in the room is working together, the performers and the audience, that’s when a show really comes alive and lives.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Without a doubt God is my driving force. He has given each of us a purpose through talents and abilities and so long as we remain focused on him he will lead us to our objectives. I am thrilled to know that it’s not only me that shares this realization but, each member of this family. I use the term family (referring to our musical family) because that is what we all feel and refer to each other as. It has been amazing to watch as we have all grown together most of us not knowing each other until we were introduced through this musical journey. The unbelievable opportunities that God has afforded to each of us from the people that we meet, to the music, to the amazing places we play.

The live show schedule for 2026 kicks off with four performances at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square April 1, 3, & 4, then Statesboro GA, Lexington KY and so on. Our full live show schedule is available via the website.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joeythurmond.bandzoogle.com/home
• Instagram: joey_thurmond_official
• Facebook: Joey Thurmond Actor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joey+thurmond+music+and+more
• Other: Spotify:
  

Image Credits

Olivia Ludwick