Donnie and Joe Emerson: A dream deferred

All parents think their kids are talented. They may encourage that talent with things like piano or ballet lessons.
Donnie and Joe Emerson’s father went far beyond that.

In the late 1970s, he built a recording studio on his farm so his teenage sons could record an album of original songs. Instead of rocketing them to fame, the album of soulful soft rock went nowhere, and Emerson eventually had to sell much of his farmland to pay the bills he racked up promoting them.

Then, in 2008, a collector discovered the album and posted some tracks online. This eventually led to indie musician Ariel Pink covering one of the songs and a reissue from record label Light in the Attic, which is known for rediscovering Rodriguez, of “Searching for Sugar Man” fame.

Now the Emersons are playing their old songs for new fans, including their first-ever performance in New York City.

amNY spoke with Donnie about the band.