One young Savannah man is quickly emerging in the music world as his dream is unfolding. Joe Pinckney has been writing poetry since he was a student at Clyde-Savannah Central School. After graduation, he attended Cayuga Community College where he received his associate degree in liberal arts and business.

He is currently working at Monroe Tractor in Auburn.

But where he really likes to work is in his studio at his home on Church Street in Savannah writing music.

And earlier this year, Sony Music Nashville gave him a contract for his music and is promoting Joe as One to Watch in 2009 as an up-and-coming music artist!

Although Joe Pinckney has not had a release picked up by a major recording act thus far, it is more than fair to say he looks to set both country music and song writing on fire with his words. Joe will quickly admit to you that this is truly a gift that he has.

Currently he has written more than 35 poems, and he had seven of them published before graduating from high school. Then two years ago he started to write songs. A simple phrase or set of words spoken or read will just ignite a whole song in his head and he will immediately begin to write it down, sometimes on any piece of paper available, even on a grocery bag once. Then as soon as he is able, he is home in his studio finalizing the song, reworking it until it is just the way he wants it.

He shared that the words often just pour out of his head. I would agree when he shares that he has often written as many as five to six songs in a week.

Then begins the lengthy process of sending them to Nashville, where it is determined to be song-worthy. If so, then further changes are made before it is assigned to a music group to perform.

Then the demos are dispersed and sold wherever so that the song can be heard in the music world. Hopefully a major music group will like the lyrics and then ask Joe to write for them.

There are several artists that Joe would love to have sing his music but at the moment, he could really imagine country singer Gary Allen singing his songs.

Currently, Joe has three such demos: “Where's Jesus,” “Fade to Gray” and “Believe in a Dream,” which is the one that birthed this article.

Joe is not waiting to make it big before he helps a special cause, and “Believe in a Dream” has been written and being sold to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Many local Savannah residents are aware of Kevin Ryan, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Grandpa Milton Black has been collecting cans for Ryan for several years and has made everyone aware of the challenges of Cystic Fibrosis. Knowing Kevin, a likable little guy of 4 years, made Joe want to do something to help the foundation. Thus he wrote the song “Believe in a Dream,” whose theme is the importance of believing in yourself and having a dream for your life. The CD is available at the Savannah Bank NA for $6. He is hoping he can make a big contribution to the foundation as they look for a cure for this disease.

Joe's dream is someday to be living in Nashville and have his songs be well-known in country music. Currently his songs can be heard at a Jazz Cafe in Geneva during open mic nights.

The most exciting thrill of talking with Joe about his music was the enthusiasm and enjoyment he exhibits as he shares about his songs and poetry. It is totally fun for him to watch a song become a reality. And Savannah is blessed to have such a talented young person living here. We truly wish you well, Joe.

Carol Spellman proudly lives and writes from her home in Savannah. You can reach her at spellmanjc@tds.net