Joe Ferguson was named after his grandfather when he was born on November 24, 1944 in Sanford, Florida.  He spent the first 12 years of his life there, before moving to Chicago. After school he formed a musical group known as Joe Ferguson and the V.B.T.'s Band in which he was also the base guitarist.  For the next 30 years Joe's musical travels took him to LA, New York, Florida, Chicago and all over the South. He was both road manager and backup guitarist for such artists as Walter Jackson, Johnny Williams, Tyrone Davis, Ruby Andrews, the Chi-Lites, J.J. Barnes and Gladys Knight and the Pips.  He played background guitar on many recordings with Ruby Andrews, the Chi-Lites and Gladys Knight and the Pips and performed backup guitar on numerous occasions at the Old Regal Theatre (on 47th and King Drive in Chicago).  

Joe did take time out of his busy schedule to help raise his beautiful daughter Nicole Ferguson-Blanchard who is his pride and joy!  He likes to play basketball, shoot pool, spends some time renovating a couple of  old buildings and is very helpful to the senior citizens in his neighborhood.  And if you've ever heard of "Mr. Joe's catering service" - I'll give you one guess at who "Mr. Joe" is??!!  His favorite Aunt, Josephine Cook known as "Aunt Phine", has been his mentor throughout his life and helps guide him in a lot of his endeavors. 

On January 21, 1981 Joe started JF Productions and produced the first Joe Ferguson Dusty Steppers Dance Set at the Grand Ballroom on 63rd and Cottage Grove in Chicago at which there were over 600 "boppers & walkers" in attendance.  This was all an inspiration spurred on by Richard Pegue's Dusty Record Convention.Joe started taping video footage of his steppers set in 1984 and still has all the tapes in his extensive library.  He has done video tapes at every party throughout the years. 

Joe has created a very well-oiled machine within JF Productions.  He has built a loyal and trustworthy staff for the steppers set parties.  He has an administrative staff for advertising, web site maintenance and public relations, traveling steppers sets, and for the company financing and business affairs as well as 3 separate groups of party goers.  There are the JF Productions "Club" members, the "V.I.P." members and the "General" membership.  

Joe has established a "Benevolent Fund" for the "Club" members in case of emergency, prolonged illness or death into which he makes monthly contributions on behalf of the "Club" members.  All types of prizes and awards are received by the "Club" members for their work with JF Productions. 

Joe sends out to the 3 groups a mailer each month with their requested number of pluggers.  At the beginning of the year everyone on the 3 mailing lists receives a yearly calendar of events and yearly pass applications.  Sometimes there are as many as 60 birthday parties in one night.  Joe gives them a special Birthday song, a Birthday Dance and they each receive a bottle of champagne.  Some of the people that go to his sets have been going to them for well over 20 years. 

During the party you see people walkin', boppin', steppin' and free-stylin' and line dancing. 

update 2008
After many years of searching Joe has localed his other daughter, Kathy who has 8 children and 2 grandchildren.  Joe had now become a grandfather and a great grandfather in the last couple of months.  Joe is so happy to how finally found his other daughter and has been really enjoying his family. 

Joe Ferguson is a very enterprising business man and a very nice "person to know".  This writer has enjoyed working with him for the past 13 years and wanted you to know a little about ............................... Joe Ferguson ... the man behind the music. 

We hope to see you at the next set,

Toni O'Kelley-Pope

J.F. Productions - (773) 434-8408 - jfproduction@yahoo.com