MOTOR CITY JOSH & THE BIG 3
BIO
MOTOR CITY JOSH - FINDING A NEW GEAR
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FINDING A NEW GEAR is the 13th album from Detroit’s veteran blues
journeyman, Motor City Josh. Born in Warren, MI to a musical family,
Joshua Steven Ford was the eldest son of parents who were both preachers.
As a youngster, Ford showed interest in the guitar and by the age of 19 he was
earning a living as a full-time musician. HIs earliest heroes included legendary
artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, Albert Collins, and Taj Mahal - all of whose
influences still ring in the echoes of Ford’s best work.
An accomplished songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and renowned slide
guitarist, Motor City Josh spent over 15 years (2000 - 2015) touring
relentlessly throughout the 48 contiguous states. He and his bandmates
logged hundreds of thousands of miles riding up and down the highways and
byways of America. In the process, they amassed a loyal following throughout
the south and all along the east coast - traveling from Key West, FL to
Rockland, ME.
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In 2011, Ford opened The Sound Shop Recording Studios in Macomb, MI. In
his role as both recording engineer and producer, he has worked on more than
250 recording projects - oftentimes collaborating and co-writing songs with his
artists. He has produced recordings by up-and-coming Detroit artists such as
Jennifer Westwood and Pat Smillie. His extensive track record, his boundless
creativity, and his easy-going demeanor have made Josh and the Sound Shop
one of Metro Detroit’s finest recording studios. In 2021, Ford was awarded the
Detroit Music Award (DMA) for “Outstanding Producer”.
After taking 5 years off from the road to help raise his young children, Motor
City Josh is BACK! His latest release FINDING A NEW GEAR (which includes
several co-writes with his wife, Stacia Petrie Ford) packs the punch that his
longtime fans have come to expect! Chock full of humorous lyrics, blazing hot
guitar licks, and a skin tight backing band, FINDING A NEW GEAR is a classic
album from a veteran artist who has finally found his new gear...and, Baby, it’s
WIDE OPEN!!
Awards
1998 Detroit Music Award, Artist Deserving Wider Recognition
2004 Memphis Music Awards, Acoustic Blues Finalist
2010 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blues & R&B Recording
2011 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blues & R&B Recording
2011 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blues & R&B Songwriter
2018 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Record Producer
2020 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Live Performance
2020 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blues Songwriter
2020 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blues Artist / Group
2021 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Record Producer
2022 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Record Producer
2023 Detroit Music Award, Outstanding Blue artist.Group
2025 Michigan Music Award, Engineer of the Year
Notable Appearances
1996, 1997 Michigan Tastefest
1997 Taylor Blues Festival
2000, 2001 Atlanta Blues Festival
2005-2010 Cowpie Blues Festival
2002 Hayling Island Blues Festival UK
2003 Bring the Blues Festival UK
2005, 2008 Alpena Blues Festival
2010 Kalamazoo Blues Festival
2010 Marquette Area Blues Festival
1997, 2005, 2008 Windsor Blues Festival
​2005, 2006 Illinois Blues Festival
2007 Hot Springs Blues Festival
2007, 2008 Chenango County Blues Festival
2007-2009 The Blue Crab Festival
2009 Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
2009 Daytona Beach Blues Festival
2009 Southwest Florida Blues Festival
2010 North Atlantic Blues Festival
2010 Bonita Springs Blue Festival
2010 Bradenton Blues Festival
2011 BBQ Rib Fest
2012 St. Louis Blues Festival
2023, 2024 Port Sanillac Blues Festival
2023-2026 Tawas Blues Festival
