You know his commercials. You don't know him.
The Joe Cerisano StoryA documentary by Matt & Mike Cerisano

How Not to Be aRockstar

How Not to Be a Rockstar
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For two decades, Joe Cerisano and the artists in this film were the voices behind a generation of American advertising, singing the jingles for some of the most recognizable brands in the country.

Voices you know.
Names you don't.

Kool-AidGEFordBudweiserCoca-ColaMcDonald'sPepsiGoodyear
MillerChevroletArmyBurger KingMeow MixNavySprite

The Trailer

Before jingles,
he was a frontman.

Joe Cerisano III was born and raised in a West Virginia coal mining town in the 1950s. After discovering a door-opening talent for singing, he left his humble origins behind in the pursuit of rock stardom. His voice and sharp songwriting carried him to California where his band Silver Condor signed a record deal on Columbia Records—scoring the Top 40 hit “You Could Take My Heart Away” alongside David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick.

Joe Cerisano as a young child
Young Joe Cerisano in a vest

What appeared to be a dream come true turned into a nightmare when the band fell apart and Joe was left hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Fate intervened when an unexpected call to sing on a Miller Beer commercial let him into the world of jingle advertising, an industry rife with money and talent in 1980s New York City. Joe went on to become one of the most heard voices in America, singing for Budweiser, Ford Trucks, U.S. Army, Sprite, GE, G.I. Joe, and Transformers. When offered the job of touring frontman of Black Sabbath, Joe turned down the possibility of glory on the road in favor of the stability of session work. With all the privileges of a fruitful singing career and none of the complexities of fame, Joe flourished as a family man at home in New Jersey with his wife and sons.

The most famous singer
you've never heard of.

Joe Cerisano as a young child
Young Joe Cerisano in a vest
Young Joe Cerisano singing on stage
Young Joe Cerisano singing on stage
Joe Cerisano today in his studio

Back Home in Tuscany

In 1988, Joe sang the jingle "Back Home" for Brooklyn Gum—one of Italy's largest confectionery brands. Afterward, he moved on to his next session without a second thought. But Italy didn't. Released overseas under the accidental pseudonym Joe Trio, the track was pressed to vinyl alongside legends like Billy Joel and Huey Lewis & The News. For decades, the song was a national hit, while the voice behind it remained completely anonymous.

Joe entering an Italian street doorway

Thirty years later, an Italian fan connected the name Joe Trio to American session singer Joe Cerisano. Now, decades after the jingle industry's collapse and a long retirement driven by personal tragedy, Joe is returning to the stage in Tuscany. As his sons document the journey, what begins as a final performance becomes a profound story of family, grief, creative legacy, and the voices that shaped our culture without ever getting credit.

Joe Trio — Back Home album

The Lineage Behind the "Joe Trio" Name

The pseudonym under which "Back Home" was released in Italy was a nod to three generations of namesake Joes—a family legacy spanning three different eras.

Joe Sarasano I

Joe I

Alpini Soldier

Joe Cerisano II

Joe II

WWII Veteran

Joe Cerisano III

Joe III

The Rockstar

Joe performing in Italy
Joe entering an Italian street doorway

Featuring

The voices and legends of the jingle era, on screen.

  • Frank Simms Voice of the Kool-Aid Man & vocalist for David Bowie, Madonna, and Carly Simon. Bowie/Madonna vocalist & Kool-Aid Man voice.
  • Elliott Randall Steely Dan's classic "Reelin' in the Years" guitarist. Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years" guitarist.
  • Linda November The "Queen of Jingles" of over 22,000 jingles. Meow Mix "Queen of Jingles".
  • Joey Levine Sang "Yummy Yummy Yummy" & wrote Almond Joy jingle. Sang "Yummy Yummy" & wrote Almond Joy.
  • Al Gorgoni Guitarist for "Brown Eyed Girl" & "Sound of Silence." Guitarist: "Brown Eyed Girl" & "Sound of Silence."
  • Artie Schroeck Arranger for Frankie Valli & Frank Sinatra. Arranger: Frankie Valli & Frank Sinatra.
  • Chuck Cannon Grammy-nominated country songwriter behind #1 hits for Toby Keith & Eric Church. Grammy nominee (#1 Toby Keith hits).
  • Marc Blatte Co-wrote Goldfish crackers & Hands Across America. Co-wrote Goldfish & Hands Across America.
  • Albert Bouchard Blue Öyster Cult drummer & "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" co-writer. Blue Öyster Cult drummer & "The Reaper" writer.
  • Darryl Tookes Vocalist for Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones. Vocalist for Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones.
  • Hunter Murtaugh Young & Rubicam VP/Music Director who commissioned Suzanne Ciani for Atari. Y&R Music Director; hired Suzanne Ciani for Atari.
  • Jeanne Look Look & Chapin producer who cast 17-year-old Whitney Houston in a Polaroid ad. Producer who cast Whitney Houston in a Polaroid ad.
  • Morgan Visconti Human Worldwide co-founder & composer who scored Dove's Self-Esteem campaign. Human co-founder; scored Dove Self-Esteem campaign.
  • Andy Bloch Human Worldwide co-founder & award-winning guitarist who scored thousands of ads. Human co-founder & award-winning ad composer.
Linda November and Artie Schroeck on camera
Joe's house in New Jersey, one day before Italy departure
Al Gorgoni on camera
Joe Cerisano in the studio with his guitars
Joey Levine on camera
Joe Cerisano with a guitar in Tuscany
Joe performing in Tuscany at sunset
Albert Bouchard on camera
Joe Cerisano in profile
Marc Blatte on camera
Joe playing guitar in his living room
Joe Cerisano in conversation
Joe in conversation during production
Frank Simms on camera
Joe Cerisano in Siena beside a Ferrari
Paul Greco on camera
Darryl Tookes on camera at the piano

The Brothers

Matt Cerisano

Matt Cerisano

Filmmaker & Producer

Matt Cerisano is a New York City-based filmmaker and cinematographer. He first picked up a camera in high school, making short films and YouTube videos before following his older brother, Mike, into the underground Rutgers indie DIY music scene in New Brunswick. After graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Philosophy and Environmental Policy, he relocated to New York City. As the co-owner of the production company Zipline Media, Matt serves as a commercial and narrative Director of Photography. Deeply embedded in the heart of the NYC theater community, he has shot visual campaigns for some of the biggest ad spots on Broadway. His camera work spans prominent commercial and editorial projects, collaborating with high-profile talent including Megan Thee Stallion, Oprah Winfrey, Travis Kelce, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer. As a producer and DP, Matt brings a sharp visual sensibility and deep industry experience to every project he shapes.

Mike Cerisano

Mike Cerisano

Filmmaker & Producer

Mike Cerisano is an NYC-based filmmaker, graphic designer, and IATSE Local 52 Video Playback Engineer. As the older of the filmmaking brothers, Mike cut his teeth playing in the basement shows of the legendary Rutgers indie DIY music scene while pursuing a double major in English and Political Science. Over the last decade, he has lent his technical and creative expertise to some of the industry’s most prominent film and television productions. His impressive slate of credits includes work on acclaimed series and massive blockbuster features such as Severance, Deadpool & Wolverine, John Wick, Daredevil, Poker Face, and NSFW. Combining high-end technical precision with a passion for narrative storytelling, Mike brings invaluable on-set experience to his work as a filmmaker, editor, and producer. A true creative Swiss Army knife, there isn't a role on a film set he isn't deeply familiar with.

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