Local well-known musician, Joanie Wiseman, passed away after a lengthy illness in Mobile, Alabama. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, and spent most of her life here but her heart was always in Orange Beach, Alabama.
After high school, Joanie Ashbee married Clark Harris and they formed a music duo. For thirteen years of their partnership they were married, even after that time, they continued to play music together and were always the very best of friends. However, when Clark died unexpectedly, Joanie chose to never play music professionally again.
For close to 35 years, their music career took Joanie and Clark on the road throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Joanie played keyboards and sang while Clark played guitar, piano, harmonica, and also did vocals.
Beginning in Mobile as a music duo, they played at many local clubs including The Admiral’s Corner, The Steak and Ale, The Pub at Eight Kings Restaurant, and The Bluejay Lounge among others. In the beginning years of The Songwriter’s Festival at The Flora-Bama in Orange Beach, Alabama, they were asked to open the Festival.
Joanie and Clark and their Quarter Moon Band were also the opening act for George Jones at the Gulf Gate Lodge in Orange Beach and the standing-room-only memorable Sunday afternoon Jam Sessions.
They played music at their own club in Mobile, Joanie & Clark’s Mystic Café, for a while too. In later years, they were also the house band at The Red Lion Lounge at The LaFont Inn in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Joanie was an amazingly talented musician with a most unique voice who could sing music from any genre. Their repertoire was so large that rarely did they receive a song request from the audience that they did not know. Joanie was very personable, with a sharp sense of humor – totally an excellent entertainer! Over all the years she played music, so many of her fans became personal friends as well and still are.
Some memories of great times spent listening to her and Clark play music, and their hilarious bantering, sitting around the piano bar, became treasured memories of the very best of times their many fans and friends.
Joanie will forever be missed. Her legacy lives on through her beloved son, Mason Wiseman, and the music of her heart.
Visitation for Joanie will be held on May 25, 2022 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, with a Celebration of Life immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.
Funeral services will be conducted by Joanie and Mason’s dear friend of many years, Episcopal Priest, The Rev. Dr. Joy Blalock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to local musicians and artists.
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