Long Term Plan

Joe returns from hunting quails for dinner, rifle in hand. The fruits of his labor will soon turn into a simple yet rewarding meal on his off-the-grid property.

Banjo Joe unwinds at home with a joint before settling in for a quiet evening of cooking dinner and playing video games.

After a long night of playing and partying, Randy Hill, the upright bassist of The Whistle Pigs, crashes on Banjo Joe’s couch while Joe brews some coffee to start the day.

Joe heads to PK’s and catches up with a girl he’s been hanging out with, enjoying some drinks and conversation.

The Whistle Pigs perform at PK’s, bringing their song, ‘Long Term Plan,’ to the stage. Joe plays the banjo, Randy Hill plays the upright bass, and John Beck adds his fiddle to the mix, as the crowd listens to their raw, soulful performance.

Back home, Joe unwinds by playing the banjo for his family. It’s a rare moment of peace after long nights of performing with The Whistle Pigs. Despite the chaos of the road and the unpredictability of his band’s journey, these moments remind Joe why he keeps playing: for the love of music and the hope that his long-term plan will keep him going.

Banjo Joe pours his heart into every note, his raw emotion evident as he sings. ‘I really don’t know a lot about Banjo Joe or Joe, really,’ he says, ‘I guess I’m just trying to focus on how to entertain a group of people the best I can.’ His love for the craft shines through, despite the challenges he faces on and off the stage.

Story originally published in May 2009

Just off Illinois Route 13 in Crainville lives a man known to the locals as Banjo Joe. Joseph James McAmish, a product of southern Illinois’ countryside, was raised on the stories his grandfather told him of mountain men—rugged individuals who lived their entire lives off the land, self-sufficient and “off the grid.” From an early age, Joe knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps and carve out a life of independence.

Growing up on a farm, Joe learned the essentials of survival early. By six or seven, he was shooting with his grandfather’s rifle, hunting rabbits and squirrels with a determination that would shape his life. “Grandma used to cook what we hunted. She’d make gravy from the fat. Squirrel dumplings were my favorite,” recalls Joe, now 31, reflecting on his childhood dreams.

Today, Joe lives in a home he built himself on the same property where he spent his youth. The house, isolated from any electric, water, or gas companies, stands as a testament to his desire for independence. Much of his autumn and winter days are spent chopping wood for the stove that heats his home. But Joe isn’t living in the wilderness like the mountain men of old. “I couldn’t live like they did a hundred years ago. It’s probably even illegal now,” he admits. “I’ve got solar power—that’s enough to light a few bulbs and run my TV. I love playing my NES and Dreamcast.”

Joe’s life is a blend of the modern and the traditional. While he enjoys the comforts of electricity and entertainment, his passion for the outdoors remains strong. He still hunts regularly, and recently bagged four quails with just three shots. “That cost me forty cents. Can a burger beat that in price or quality?” he says proudly. Behind his home, Joe maintains a small garden with lettuce, radishes, and other fresh vegetables that he uses for his meals.

Although Joe has had his share of relationships, he considers himself a lonely man. After a two-year marriage that ended in divorce, he’s content with his solitary existence. “It’s hard to be in a relationship and live like this. It has to be a special kind of person, but sometimes it gets lonely. That’s when I go to the bar,” he shares.

One of Joe’s biggest passions these days is his band, The Whistle Pigs. They’ve sold thousands of records, t-shirts, and stickers in the past few months, earning local fame. “We’re pretty famous around here,” Joe proudly states. As for the future, he doesn’t worry too much. “I don’t have any long-term plans, like the song says in my new album. I don’t need much. I can live without money as long as I don’t need to spend it,” he reflects, content with the life he’s created.