Joe Reese Tisdale was born August 18, 1943, in Andalusia, Alabama, the second of two sons born to Newton Daniel Tisdale and Hazel Leonard Tisdale. Joe spent most of his growing-up years in Crestview where he graduated from high school in 1961. After high school Joe attended Troy State University, majoring in Choral Music Education and doing his practice teaching at Opp High School. Upon his graduation from TSU, he got the call from Opp to teach choral music in the schools and to work with the choirs at First Methodist Church.
Two jobs were not enough to keep Joe Tisdale busy, and he worked part-time at WAMI using skills he learned working at WCNU, Crestview during high school. This was during the early years of Cable TV in Opp, and Joe was soon deeply involved with the programming for TV6. He brought his brother Jerry to Opp, and together they gave Opp local TV programming. Church services, school activities and civic events are still carried out live and delayed with TV services unequaled in any town near Opp’s size.
Joe’s choral programs gained state-wide recognition for the quality and quantity of the choirs. Because he took a personal interest in his students and made music interesting to everyone, students were attracted to the program; students enjoyed being part of a successful program. Joe developed a small elite group of students called the “Voices”. These students competed for their positions and worked after school to learn a varied musical program for presentation at concerts, Christmas parties and other civic events. In 1970 Joe produced and directed the first of 16 musicals. The performers in these musicals were all high school students with some local supporting people sharing their talents.
In 1974 Joe convinced a friend from TSU days, Faye Allen Moore, to move to Opp with her two young sons, Rob and Brandon. Joe found employment for her as the pianist at First Methodist Church and as a teller at First National Bank. Faye organized a sequel to “Voices” among bank employees known as the “Bank Notes”, and later she succeeded Joe as Choral Director at the church and the school. At Thanksgiving in 1974, Joe and Faye presented a concert of organ and piano. They were “joined” for the closing number by Dr. Ed Hardin who performed the wedding ceremony to the total surprise of most of the assembled crowd. Patrick Tisdale was born to this union in 1976.
In 1985 Joe suffered a disabling stroke. The response from people far and near showed some measure of the influence Joe has had on people in this area. Months and years of therapy and medication followed, and in 1989 Joe received a kidney transplant. Today his right side remains incapacitated, but he talks well, walks without assistance, and drives his own car. He also plays the organ at his church using his left hand and left foot. He assists in the church office and is a volunteer at Mizell Memorial Hospital two full days a week, delivering patients’ mail and running errands.
Many lives have been touched by the influence of Joe Tisdale. Parents have been touched through their children; colleagues in the music field have been touched by his unselfish and optimistic spirit; students have benefited not only from the music instruction, but from his example of living a quality life to the fullest; church members have observed the giving of time and talent, even when illness made it difficult; and all who have known him have been lifted by a sense of humor that brings hope to the most tense situations. Opp has indeed been fortunate to enjoy the benefits of one so totally dedicated to using his talents, his time and his profession in service to others. The lasting influence of “Mr. Wonderful”, Joe Reese Tisdale will continue for generations. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
