Black Joe Lewis, formed in Austin, Texas in 2007 is a blues band influenced by Howlin' Wolf and James Brown. In March 2009, Esquire Magazine listed Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears as one of the “Ten Bands Set to Break Out at 2009's SXSW Festival.” After performing seven times during the week of South by Southwest, the group's album "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!" ended up number one on Waterloo Records' Top 50 Sellers List for the week of March 28, 2009. 

History

While working in a pawn shop in Austin, Texas Joe Lewis picked up the guitar, sharpening up his chops and began performing at open mic nights. The group formed after fellow future band mate, Zach Ernst, a member of the University of Texas Music and Entertainment Committee, booked Lewis to open for Little Richard at the University of Texas' annual festival Forty Acres Fest, which the MEC runs. After gaining local acclaim, the band toured as openers for Spoon and Okkervil River in 2007.
After being flooded with label offers at SXSW two years ago, the band signed to Lost Highway Records in 2008. Following the signing and performances at last year's Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival, Black Joe Lewis released a four song EP on January 27, 2009. The self titled release includes "Bitch I Love You" which Filter Magazine called this year's anthem for Valentine's Day.
Their first full length album "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!" was released on March 17, 2009. The album was produced by Spoon drummer Jim Eno.