Joey Arminio was born in Glen Ridge NJ, and raised in Verona NJ, as Joseph Anthony Arminio Jr., the son of Joseph and Betty Arminio.  Joe grew up mostly around adults, but still enjoyed his childhood. Joey was an only child, and most of his discipline came from his uncle, Funzie Dello Russo.

When he was in the 3rd grade, he started playing the trumpet.  Music was a social thing for Joey, although he enjoyed playing the instrument, it was the family, friends, and audience responses that he enjoyed more.  Joey learned at a young age that he was at his happiest while entertaining. 

During his high school years, Joey continued playing the trumpet in the Verona high school band. Harry Owens, the Band director of Verona high school, taught Joey that with dedication, leadership, and persistence you can obtain any goal.  As Joey's friend Steven Carangelo, (a fellow classmate, life long friend and leader of the PMF Horns) put it, "Joe was a hacker and really didn't take his playing seriously.......he always went for the laugh….Thank God he did!" 

Joe wanted so desperately to be recognized, but never knew just where or when his success was going to come. 

Joey learned to play the guitar from Andy Lynch, who was like another uncle to him. Joey learned to play over a bet.  Around 1972 the family was sitting around the table talking and laughing.  Andy who was a great country guitar player and singer suggested he could teach Joey the basics in one hour. Well, the four chords he learned allowed him to sing and play all his favorite oldies.

After Graduation in 1978, he moved to Brick NJ, and attended Ocean County College (where Bruce Springsteen also attended)  where he pursued many general subjects.  After picking up twelve credits, he quit to become a member of a local oldies act called 'The Wanderers'.   Joey learned how to run a band and handle himself as a front man in 1980 from Tom Biondi, who was the original leader and co-founder of the Wanderers.  This group had a classic lineup - Tom Biondi, Frankie Biondi, Janet Ferrara, Richie Vanore, Jeff Germain, Frank Saunders, as well as Brett Foust, Steve Anstett and Rich Kellenberger - The Jenkensen’s act of 1980.

During this time, 1980 brought the introduction of Joey to The Crosstones (Joey is now an honorary member).  Bobby Emmons and Joey immediately hit it off and Bobby educated Joey about the oldies but goodies.  Joey started singing bass and adding his fourth Bass/Baritone vocal parts to the Crosstones’ already flawless harmonies and authentic oldies sound.  Bobby Emmons was the key factor in Joey’s recording and studio interest.  Bobby is one of the greatest producers of our time.  His classic recordings of Joey with the Crosstones are heard on the first five cuts of the CD.  The Album Rock “n” Roll Baby is one of the best works to date.  Freddy Pope, co-founder of the Crosstones, introduced Joey to a song called ‘Never’ by Larry Chance and The Earls.  Joey would request the song every time he visited The Crosstones’ shows.  Freddy’s voice impressed Joey and Joey would try to copy it whenever he had the chance.  Little did he know that later on he would be performing oldies concerts with Larry Chance. When Joey heard Larry sing he was floored and realized from where Freddy got his sound. Joey quickly became a fan of Larry Chance and The Earls and still performs with the Crosstones in their current incarnation of Cherie Morton, Bobby Emmons, Fred Pope, Neil P, and Frank.   Eddie Angle, owner of Crystal Ball Records, co-wrote My side of the Story, by presenting the Idea to Joey and Bobby. Joey’s haunting falsetto draws you to it.

Joey took over as leader of the Wanderers in 1982.  The group performed around the Tri-state area for 12 years, from 1980-1992.  The Wanderers had many incarnations as many acts do.  From 1982 – 1984 the group consisted of Bobby Brady, Richie Vanore, Rich Kellenberger, Jim Kellenberger and Jeff Germaine.

The most memorable embodiment of the Wanderers were the 1984-1990 featuring, Rick Rioux, Scott Farry, Bobby Ford, Sal Sansone and Joey. The bonus original cuts on this CD feature these performers. Dave Hershey co-produced this unforgettable material. You can see their original video “Blondes have more fun” on You tube. The Kings of Coastal …The Wanderers.

In 1986-87 they performed at Art Stock’s Playpen South for six weeks. This is where they met Alex Stamoutsis who was their body guard during the stay. He later became one of Joey’s life long friends. The Wanderers were based out of the Jersey sSore, and were considered by some to be one of the best acts in the Tri-State area.

In 1984 Joey decided to start playing the saxophone.  His act needed a horn player so he jumped at the chance.  He took record albums of rock and roll greats such as Boots Randolph, Ace Cannon, King Curtis, Clarence Clemmons, and some licks from jazz greats like Gato Barbieri, Mike Brecker, Charlie Parker, and local favorite Rich Vanore, and created a unique style of his own. The style is a perfect blend of the 40's and 50's rockin sax, flavored with a strong hook for solos and buttered with jazz jam.

During the 90's he continued to perfect his style. His friend Adam Notarfrancesco introduced Joey to The Regents, (Barbara Ann 1961). Joey became a regular part of their act whenever they were in the New Jersey area. One of his memorable shows was performing in New Orleans along with the Buckinghams . Playing sax on Burbon Street was really cool.  He almost got his axe (sax) confiscated for having sax on the wrong side of the street.  One of Joey’s ironic stories is that when he was 12 years old he received a barrel of oldies 45 records. He went through each record and played them on his RCA Victor 45 player. The Regents “Runaround” was one of the first 45 he played and loved. Little did he know 20 years later he would be performing with them.

Joey again formed a new act in 1992 called the Street Hearts along with old friend Phil Cenicola (one of Joey’s mentors). Phil had a velvet voice that influenced Joey’s vocal style immensely. They performed all over the Bergen County NJ area until 1994 when Joey was offered to front AJ & The Hearts along with old time friend and partner Adam Notarfrancesco. The Team created excitement all along the Tri-State area opening up for oldies concerts and TV appearances.

In 1998 Joey was trying his hand in the Country music business and called on  his best friend Bobby Williams (Steel Guitar, Banjo and Fiddle extraordinaire).  Joey and Bobby created an awesome new country music act called “The Confederates” (later change to Due South). When quoted about his best friend Bobby said “Joey has many great qualities but the one that sticks out is Joey knows how to dream! And that is important if you want to achieve your goals and do well in any business”.

During this time Joey rekindled a long time friendship with Nick Vala.  Nicky is 100% blind since birth and Joey and Nicky went to school together in sixth grade; HB Whitehorne middle school, Verona NJ.

Joey was assigned to escort Nicky around school for a semester. Joey’s last name began with the letter A so he was chosen first.  Joey did not know how to handle this task but because of the immediate bond between the two it soon became second nature. Joey learned so much about sense of hearing and touch from Nicky that It is believed this was a big factor in his understanding his future musical abilities. Well, as fate had it, Nicky lived about a mile from Joey in Brick NJ. They were both in between acts at the time and started recording and doing a duo together. It soon branched into a new act that has really turned heads.

In 1999 Joey met Doreen Brusca.  She was a shy, petite, small framed girl with a amazing powerful voice. She answered an ad that Joey had placed for a girl singer because this was necessary in order to perform in Atlantic City. After 22 auditions with no luck they were ready to call it quits. Doreen was the last singer to audition. When Joey asked her if she minded wearing feather boas and glamorous costumes ….well the rest you know is history.

Joey met Andre and Cirell in 1979 performing at the Top of the Mast in Seaside.  He thought they were one of the funniest and entertaining show acts he had ever seen. Bobby D’Andrea was famous for “ Darling Lorraine” with his act The Knockouts.  He was amazingly funny and together with Frankie Cirell they created an unmatched act with singing abilities and dead on impressions. Joey was mesmerized. He had always wanted to create a Vegas show like this. Andre and Cirell were Joey’s motivation for forming Joey Arminio & “The Family” 20 years later. They remain friends and work together whenever possible.

Joey Arminio & “The Family” was born in 1998.  They started out performing at local lounges and restaurants. They auditioned for The Hilton Casino in Atlantic City, NJ and quickly became a regular on the schedule. They performed private parties, Novelty events and dinner shows all over the tri-state area. The act featured Doreen Brusca, Nicky V and Joey.  While in Atlantic City the response for some of there short segments became quite popular and so they decided to leave Atlantic City and start doing a Broadway style musical revue show called “A night at the 500 club” -a  tribute to the old entertainers of yesteryear.  This led to many other shows including the highly successful "USO Variety Show"

With the addition of Billy Wiles (former ECW Wrestler) on drums things really started coming together. A funny story about Billy. He used to watch Joey’s Wanderers back in 1980 when he was just a little kid. The fearsome four now traveled the Tri-State area doing one hour shows that were bringing the house down. Yet it didn’t really sky rocket until they introduced their own dance troupe to the show. Doreen who was a professional dancer and Choreographer always wanted to add the dancers and in the spring of 2006 it came to be. Jessica, Julie and Katie were added to the lineup.

Baby it’s cold outside was produced and recorded by Point Pleasant's own Eddie Austin. He called Doreen and Joey in to do the vocals with Nicky V on the piano.

The songs you will hear on "My Side of The Story - 25 Years in the Music Business" are featured songs from the “Dinner with the Family” cd as well as bonus Christmas songs from the Ed Angle Christmas album.  Christmas Everywhere  written by Paul Anka and arranged by Joey, Nicky and Doreen to give a Skyliners, Duprees feel and Joey wrote Christmas Present for Doreen who on Nov 18^th 2007 became his wife.

One of the most exciting events of his life was appearing on the Don K Reed Doo Wop shop four times. Joey started listening to Don every Sunday since he was 12 years old. Joey learned everything he knows about oldies from Bobby Emmons and Don K Reed. When Don and CBS left the air after 30 years due to poor judgment by the corporate office, Joey was determined to get it back on and Don back on Sunday night. He started announcing at every Concert he performed right in the oldies segment of his show a dedication to Don K Reed and a thank you for the impression he made on Joeys life. And a pleed to get Don back on to CBS. 

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Joey Arminio is Mr. Personality, he enters the audience with both barrels, always cheerful, always charismatic, and always professional. His commanding lead vocals and a sax style all his own provide a top quality performance every time. 

His impressive track record include appearances with many Rock 'n Roll greats Gary U.S.Bonds, Freddie Paris & the Five Satins, Frankie Ford, The Platters, Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge and many others. In fact whenever The Regents (Barbara Ann,1961) are in town, they call Joe to guest star on Sax. Major appearances Joey has performed in include the Westbury Music Fair, The Garden State Arts Center, the New Orleans Rock Festival, in Louisiana, and a series of Spring Break concerts in Fort Lauderdale Florida. He recently appeared on National Television on the PBS station backing up Carol Conner of the Teddy Bears.