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formerly known as Papa
Joe & Riverboat were a five-piece band based out of
Nashville, TN. In 1980 they secured a small record deal with
Mirus Music out of Cleveland Ohio. They had a Billboard Pick
on the song Last Stand For Love in 1980 produced by Mike Daniel.
They continue to play in the south various venues nightclubs,
private corporate dances. In 1986-87 they secured a recording
deal with a studio located in the United Artist Building in
Nashville, TN called Suite 900 Recording with producer Jerry
Michaels. They worked on a series of songs (You can download
as MP3’s and view videos of this group on this web site)
for about one year. Their producer Jerry Michael shop these
songs in hope of securing a national recording deal but it
wasn’t to be so. The group decided to build their own
studio in 1987 and try to produce themselves. They y wrote
and recorded another series of songs (You can download as
MP3’s on this web site) The years began to take its toll
on Philip Paul and he decided to leave the industry. Philip
contacted his agents now up to about twenty different agencies
and told them not to book any more dates after December 31.
1988 that would be his last engagement. It turned out to be
a county club in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
One of his agents Bobby Smith one of the greats in the music
business, called him in for a meeting and suggested that since
he had about a year of contracts left that he join forces
with a couple of lady entertainers known as the Colby Twins.
The Colby Twins had a popular band in Nashville called Hot
Tomato and they had also traveled extensively and sang back
up for Bobby Goldsboro during his hey day in late 70’s
and early 80’s.
This all sounded good to Philip Paul, as he was very tired
of singing up to fifty songs a night and carrying a lot of
the fronting load of his band. They joined forces and called
this new band The Home Town Heroes. It was an instant success
and the dates started to roll in. The two beautiful blond
twins were tremendous entainters as well as great singers.
Philip has said many times he wished they had joined forces
earlier with the girls. He really enjoyed watching the girls
wow the audience and he even liked running sound for them
Philip Paul played his last engagement with the The Home Town
Heroes at a country club in Fort Smith Arkansas on December
31, 1988 new years eve. He tells the story of never making
mention of his departure to the audience, putting the microphone
in it holder after finishing his last song and staring at
that microphone thinking back over the 21 years to make sure
he would always remember that moment, walking off the stage
it was a very happy moment in his life. He was going home
to be a good father and provider for his family.
Band Members
Philip Paul-Lead Vocals
Michael Saint Leon-Guitar
John Snelling-Keyboards
C. J. Kowall-Bass
Bill Brewer- 1st Drummer
Frank Geraude- Bass
Hoppie Vaughn- Bass
Paul Snyder-Drums
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