Season’s Third “Tuesday on the Town” Artist Inspired by Love and Loss

Rising rock-country star Joe Hermes, of Illinois, wowed the crowd at the Band Shell Park for the season's third “Tuesday on the Town” on June 19. 

Hermes and his guitarist, Jerry Prater, took to the stage and performed for an hour on stage in the drizzling rain, which didn’t seem to stop the crowd from leaving. As the two played, the crowd listened closely, clapping between songs and snapping photos from their phones. 

Hermes spoke with the Chronicle after his concert, sharing how love and loss has inspired much of his work, including his song titled the “Otherside.” He explained that the loss of his daughter in 2013 left a hole in his and his wife’s heart, and that it inspired him to write this song. Some of his other popular songs are 

Hermes didn’t always want to play country music. While he’s always loved music, he started off with rock. Growing up, he was inspired by the greats — Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Pantera and Bon Jovi. He even played in a rock band as a teen. 

And then he met his wife and that all changed. Hermes said that he played a song for her, early on in their relationship, and that she encouraged him to pursue a career in music. So he did. 

“When I got out of playing in the rock band during my teenage years, I put down the guitar for about ten years, after riding hard and fast with the rock lifestyle,” he said. “So after getting some life under my belt, I met my future wife and I sang her a song on my acoustic and she pushed me into going to an open mic in town and then I started doing open mics and song writing more and then all of a sudden country music started making more sense.” 

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Hermes made his debut in country music by recording an EP titled “Souls with Stones” and in 2023, he released his full-length CD titled “Rockin’ a Country Town,” which featured songs like “Stronger Than Whiskey,” “SkyFall” and “Used To Be Me,” which landed at No. 46 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart. 

Hermes said he didn’t come from a musical family, but that’s not the case for his son. 

“My son has quickly taken to wanting to learn guitar and drums and the keyboard,” Hermes said. “He loves showing me old rock songs he finds on YouTube.” 

He said his son also loves football just as much as he did growing up.

Hermes said he thoroughly enjoyed his visit in Hampton this year and that he was glad he could come back for another “Tuesday on the Town” performance. 

“I've enjoyed coming to Hampton the last two years,” Hermes said. “The community is very friendly and has made me feel very welcomed. I wasn't sure how I would be received, being more rock, but there has definitely been some positive feedback and experiences going there.” 

While in Hampton, Hermes spent some time with the folks at KLMJ Radio before going around to visit all of the sponsors for the event. He had lunch at Rustic Brew, which he said was great.  

That night, volunteers with First Security Bank served up barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, cookies and chips at Band Shell Park that night. The bank sponsored the free will donation dinner, which was served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The proceeds went towards the Hampton Public Library. 

After Hermes and his accompanist performed, the city’s municipal band performed the following songs: “America,” “Strike up the Band,” “Torch of Liberty,” “Garlandstone Overture,” “Dazzling Drums,” “At The Movies with John Williams,” “A Hymn for Band,” “Classic Rock and Roll,” “March Militaire,” “The Church’s One Foundation,” “El Capitan Sousa,” “America the Beautiful” and “Star Spangled Banner.” 

“The Olde Creamery” ice cream truck was parked at Band Shell Park for “Tuesday on the Town” as well. Mandi Neal, who’s been with the company for the last year, said she started out as a loyal customer, stopping by for ice cream on a daily basis, before eventually signing on as an employee. Neal said they have almost 90 flavors of ice cream that they currently serve. Her favorite is usually whatever seasonal flavor they are promoting. She said all of their ice creams are churned to perfection at their Garner location.