It's easy to think of Joseph Kovach as the cosmic Gypsy hitchhiker. He spent almost 2 years hitchhiking across America with a guitar over his shoulder, swapping tunes with migrant workers, cowboys, truckers, preachers, hippies and anyone who could sing and many who couldn't. Joe has had two passions since childhood - music and travel. He has used music as a key to open the door to the world. He has played and traveled in more than 30 countries - in cafes in Guatemala City, Munich, Costa Rica, Mexico and Paris and in the pubs of Ireland and Australia. He has appeared in concerts in more than 50 churches of all denominations and has taught English to immigrants by teaching them American folksongs. Joe was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. His accordion-playing father was of Slovak heritage and his folksong-singing mother was of Polish. Joe played his first recital on the piano in the 4th grade. Since the time he first started playing the guitar he has spent countless hours experimenting, trying to stretch the limits of technique to bring the instrument to its ultimate capacity. He has studied Folk, Swing, Rock, Classical, Jazz, Latin, Eastern European, Gypsy and other forms in an attempt to bring together elements to shape a unique sound in performance. The critics all agree he has succeeded. When Joe is not concertizing with The Great American Gypsies,  you are likely to find him doing musical therapy with persons with mental trauma or playing for the folks in an Alzheimer's unit. He has played for over 20 years in nursing homes on a regular basis and considers this his highest calling. For the musician,  the journey of music is endless. For Joseph Kovach, the cosmic Gypsy hitchhiker, the journey has only just begun.