Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Joe Giles: Man Of Many Hats
Joe Giles is a man who has worn a lot of hats — literally and figuratively — throughout his lifetime.
Most notably, the hat he’s most known for is the one he wears as the executive director of Bikes, Blues and Barbecue — one of the biggest charity motorcycle rallies in the United States hosted in Fayetteville.
Recently, at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, Giles (who is 64 and lives in Prairie Grove) wore a different hat, literally — a black fedora. He was busy working as the frontman of his long running blues and classic rock band, Joe Giles and the Homewreckers.
The band was playing George’s famous Friday happy hour — actually happy hours, from 6 to 8 p.m. There wasn’t a person under 35 in sight, but the crowd acted as young as any crowd an act like The Floozies might bring in. Giles was front and center on the big garden-room stage, movin’ to the groovin’ and clapping along to the beat while his band played Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.”
The song had everyone up on the dance floor. While strutting around the stage with jaunty energy as he sang the song, the big chorus came, and Giles shouted out, “Play that funky music, whiiiite boy — that’s me!”
The crowd pumped their fists, hooted and hollered and danced with their sweethearts like they were teenagers again.
The entertainer hat is something Giles has worn his entire life, and it was easy to see how comfortable he was at the center of attention. It’s something he’s done for 50 years, whether on stage or in a classroom. Before he was organizing Bikes, Blues and BBQ and fronting the Homewreckers, he was a public school teacher for 16 years, an elementary school principal for 12 years, a volunteer football and soccer coach, farmer and even a radio DJ for two months.
Beginnings
Born on a cattle farm in Farmington, Giles got his first Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was 14 years old. He’s been a rider ever since. Growing up, there wasn’t much to do in Farmington. He and his friends would ride to Fayetteville, where they’d go to the old bowling alley on College Avenue or the drive-in theater, but they were too afraid to go to Dickson back then, he said. It seemed too adult to him.
While attending Farmington High School, Giles was a part of the school’s six-piece jazz band, which was more of a rock n’ roll band. His first paid gig came from a church dance when he was 14. It was $15 for the whole band. His senior year, he snuck in to see Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks in Fayetteville — something he was so excited about he barely remembers going.
Giles graduated with a class of about 27 people, and soon attended Arkansas Tech, where he pursued a degree in English.
“I love words,” Giles said. “I was the kid that would stay up until midnight every night reading comic books. I loved the language. I love grammar — nobody likes grammar for Pete’s sake.”
After graduating from Arkansas Tech, Giles got a job as a disc jockey at the local radio station, KKAE. That didn’t last long though. He got fired after two months. Filling in for a midnight DJ, he fell asleep after putting a long play record on.
Teaching
Donning another hat in 1973, Giles started teaching in Stuttgart, Ark., for a year and a half. He eventually settled in Prairie Grove as a junior high school English teacher for 12 years and 16 years as an elementary school principal.
“There’s nothing better than being a principal at an elementary school,” Giles said. “You walk down the hallway and all the kids want to hug you, it’s the coolest thing. Except on pizza day, it’s not really cool.”
After finding many kids weren’t reading well, Giles decided to pursue a masters degree at the University of Arkansas as a reading specialist. After returning to public school teaching, he took on teaching social studies along with English to teach more students and help their reading.
“I just loved being a teacher,” Giles said. “I really like kids. I don’t love kids, though. I’d get teachers saying ‘Oh I love kids,’ and I’d tell them I’ve got four students right here that you don’t love. They’re still children though, and they deserve the best possible chance in life they can have.
“Quite frankly, for a lot of those kids, school was their best chance for success. Maybe home life wasn’t so great, but when they walked into my building or classroom, they had a better chance than if they didn’t. That was extremely important to me.”
The Hard Tops, Homewreckers
and Bikes, Blues and BBQ
In 1989, Giles gained another hat for music entertainment when it became a full-time profession. As the drummer, he and his friends formed The Hard Tops. The band played a lot of R&B, pop, and classic rock as well as many Delbert McClinton songs. The band enjoyed a lot of popularity alongside The Cate Brothers and Oreo Blue.
“I’m a real mediocre drummer,” Giles said. “I’m not kidding when I say I’m marginally talented at best. I have no talent, and I make no bones about that.”
After going on and off with The Hard Tops for several years, Giles formed the Homewreckers in 1999. The band can still be seen playing at clubs like George’s and Jose’s today.
Having been an attendee to Bikes, Blues and BBQ long before becoming associated with it, Giles first served as the emcee for the rally’s Babe Contest. Eventually, he became the emcee for the entire festival and helped book music acts.
Giles’ best friend was the executive director of the rally until 2011. When he left the rally, Giles’ involvement helped him fill the role. He’s been happily operating it as a “glorified beer salesman” since 2012.
Still today, he’s directing Bikes, Blues and BBQ , playing in his band and enjoying life while living in Prairie Grove with his wife, Jenny Disney.
“It’s been a good ride,” he said, no matter which hat he wore.