Illbilly lead guitarist Joe Bales was born and raised in Richmond, VA. He attended the influential Virginia Common- wealth University in the heady, bra-burning days of the 80's.

Joe plays a variety of guitars, seeing as he owns 30,000, but his two workhorses are both Paul Reed Smith McCarty models.

In addition to laboriously lavishing lead licks atop Illbillysongs, Joe serves double duty as Sound Dude. His pleasing perfectionist persuasion serves him well as he frantically plugs things in, presses buttons and twiddles knobs at the start (and frequently throughout) Illbilly shows, as both impatient insults and empty beer bottles are raining down upon him.

Joe's favorite band is, was and always will be Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Joe has played with the bands Acoustic Mine, Fat Skippy and Standing 8 plus a few unnamed bands.

Joe lives in stylish Midlothian, VA, with his lovely daughter Morgan.

Joe could think of nothing that would delight him more than if you were to email him!