Born in the Country Music Capital of the West—Bakersfield, California—Joe Peters was raised on the grit and glory of country life. From an early age, he was just as comfortable with a rope in his hand as he was with a guitar slung over his shoulder. At just 8 years old, he won his first rodeo and picked up his first guitar, strumming along to the sounds of Waylon Jennings, George Strait, and Merle Haggard—the very foundation of his musical soul.
As Joe shot up to a towering 6’5” in his teenage years, he transitioned from rough stock riding to team roping, competing across the West while fine-tuning his songwriting and playing for anyone who’d listen at rodeo grounds. Just as he was hitting his stride in the roping world, tragedy struck—his horse rolled over on him in a devastating accident. Forced into a long recovery, Joe turned even deeper to his music, writing and recording his first song at American Sound Recording Studio (now the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame).
With the help of his roping partner Justin Pensinger, Joe fought his way back into the saddle and back into competition. The two became best friends, roping partners, and in 2013, qualified for the ACTRA National Finals. Music was always in the mix—every town they rolled into, Joe found an open mic and played. “The music bug had really gotten under my skin at that point,” Joe recalls. “All I wanted to do was play, sing, travel, and rope!”
Then, in 2015, everything came crashing down. Justin Pensinger, Joe’s best friend and roping partner, passed away in a tragic accident. Heartbroken, Joe sold his horse, walked away from rodeo, and buried himself in the family business.
But music has a way of pulling a man back to where he belongs. By 2017, Joe was playing local bars, packing in 400-500 people a night. Then came 2019, a trip to Nashville, and a defining moment—sitting on the laundromat floor of a Holiday Inn, pen in hand, the words just started pouring out. They haven’t stopped since.
Joe released his debut EP in 2020, and by 2021, he was working with some of Nashville’s top songwriters and recording in Music City. His name is now tied to some of the biggest in the industry—he’s shared the stage with Brooks & Dunn, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, and Tim McGraw.
That JP brand he wears? That’s Justin Pensinger’s brand, a permanent tribute to his late friend. And while Joe is back in the saddle roping, these days, it’s just for fun—because the real ride is happening under the neon lights, where his music is taking him places he never imagined.
One thing’s for sure—Joe Peters is just getting started.