Joe Hobbs is currently the director of percussion at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, TX. Under his direction the Newman Smith drum line has been recognized as one of DFW’s strongest drum lines having won both the Plano Drum Line Contest as well as the Lone Star Drum Line Contest. Joe’s duties include the NSHS Drum Line, Percussion Ensemble, and World Percussion Ensemble. Joe previously held the same position at Harpeth High School in Nashville, Tennessee where under his direction Harpeth was a Scholastic Open finalist at WGI Championships in 2009 and 2010, placing 4th in 2010. Harpeth also won the Indianapolis (2009) and Nashville Regionals (2009, 2010) as well as the SCGC championships (2009).
Joe has served on the percussion staff for The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Akron, OH, The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL, the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, IL and The Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, GA, where he was the battery caption head. He held this title from 2008-2010. While with the Bluecoats during the 2022 season, the corps won their first Fred Stanford Best Percussion Performance Award. Joe was also involved with Music City Mystique as a battery instructor from 2009-2011. He was a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003. During his time at Southwind he was named the 2003 DCI I&E Snare drum champion. From 2004-2006 Joe was a member of the Cavaliers snare line. During his time with the Cavaliers, Joe won 2 DCI world championships, 2006 DCI I&E mixed ensemble championship, “Cavalier of the year” and the “Zildjian award” in 2006. Joe received his Music Education degree from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Other teaching experience includes: George Rogers Clark High School, Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps, Murray State University, Austin Peay State University, Mt. Juliet High School, Marshall County High School, and Murray High School.
Joe is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Innovative Percussion, and Evans Drumheads. Joe currently resides in Plano with his wife Kara and their Great Dane “Truman”.