Joey Guerra
Joey Guerra is the pop music critic for the Houston Chronicle, one of the ten largest papers in the U.S. Born June 16, 1974 in Houston, Texas. He is a prolific writer, covering the major genres and the Houston/Texas music scene. His work has also appeared in, and been quoted by, many national publications.
Early career
Guerra began his career while a student at the University of Houston. He was the entertainment editor for the Daily Cougar, a large daily student publication. His work garnered city-wide attention and revitalized the paper's entertainment section. At the same time, he began writing for the Houston Chronicle, covering such popular subjects as Lyle Lovett, Gloria Estefan and Olivia Newton-John.
Currently
While at The Daily Cougar, he began freelancing for the Houston Chronicle covering concerts from, and sometimes interviewing, Celine Dion, Matchbox 20, No Doubt and Cher. His interview with Cher was one of the first major features to take notice of what would eventually become Cher's hugely successful "Believe" comeback. His interview with Cher immediately preceded her comeback.
Guerra's 1998 assessment of Celine Dion's "backward's Oscar suit" on the red carpet was quoted by People Magazine, and his review of "Bathhouse Bette" was discussed on Larry King Live by Midler and King. His work has also been quoted in material from Charlie Robison, Calle 13, the film Garcon Stupide and others.
Other works
He has freelanced for Amazon.com, http://www.Ambiente.us, http://www.AfterElton.com and the http://www.HoustonVoice.com. He served briefly as editor of the Houston Voice before beginning as the Houston Music Critic for the Houston Chronicle in May, 2006. At the Houston Chronicle, he mans the Handstamp Blog (along with Sara Cress) and writes a popular American Idol blog for the site's Tubular blog. He has scored interviews with Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Maya Angelou, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, the Answer Page, Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Trevi, Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Britney Spears, the Jonas Brothers, Corbin Bleu, Tori Amos, Jessica Simpson, AB Quintanilla, Natasha Bedingfield, Ana Gabriel, Alejandro Fernandez, Daddy Yankee, Kany Garcia, Ximena Sarinana, Bon Jovi, kd lang, Deborah Gibson, Taylor Dayne, Jim Verraros, Gloria Gaynor, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Lynda Carter, David Arquette, Mike Jones, SPM, Jennifer Nettles, Rage Against the Machine, Miley Cyrus and Martina McBride but is equally comfortable interviewing local Houston artists, such as Mechanical Boy, Karina Nistal, Miss Leslie and her Juke Jointers and Glenna Bell.
His television credits include the Debra Duncan Show and FoxNews tonight in Houston. He has been interviewed as a music expert on NPR and several radio stations.
Awards and nominations
Joey's and Sara's Handstamp blog was nominated by Editor and Publisher in the "Best Entertainment Blog" category for two years running.