Joe Eichberger is a versatile creative with a range of passions that include music, cars, and barbering. As the lead singer of the band The Rest, the president of the Black Sheep Car Club, and a barber at Wilson's Barbershop, he balances multiple roles with dedication and craftsmanship. Eichberger’s approach to life is simple: pursue what you love with passion and purpose while always supporting the community that inspires you.
Eichberger believes in the importance of focusing on what truly matters when pursuing multiple passions. Whether it’s music, cars, or barbering, his philosophy centers on choosing the things that resonate most with him and dedicating his time and energy to those pursuits. He also stresses the value of finding a crowd who appreciates what you do rather than trying to please everyone. By staying true to his interests, he’s been able to find fulfillment in each of his creative outlets.
Eichberger's musical journey began in his younger years, playing in punk bands, which has significantly influenced his personal sound. His bandmates, all family members, bring their own diverse musical backgrounds, including heavy metal and a wide range of other genres. This variety allows them to incorporate several elements into their country music, resulting in a distinctive sound.
Above all, the band prioritizes having fun, believing that its enjoyment on stage will resonate with the audience. Its focus remains on enjoying the music the group creates and performing with authenticity rather than trying to meet outside expectations.
"I remember coming off stage and telling my uncle, ‘Wow, I'll be chasing that high for the rest of my life,’” Eichberger said.
Playing larger events gives him a special sense of thrill.
"There’s nothing quite like looking out at a sea of people and seeing everyone singing the words back to you, dancing, and really getting into the music,” he said. “It’s an entirely different experience – exciting and almost intoxicating in a way."
Eichberger's journey into barbering began unexpectedly when a friend opened a shop and needed help. Drawn to the opportunity, he discovered a new creative outlet that allowed him to work with his hands while continuing to learn and refine his skills. He finds fulfillment in the connections he builds with his clients and values being trusted with not only their appearances but their thoughts, ideas, and stories.
Over the years, he has gained insights and perspectives from conversations that would have been impossible to encounter elsewhere. For him, barbering is a meaningful way to connect with others and be a trusted part of their lives.
Eichberger’s connection to cars and community shines through his role as president of the Black Sheep Car Club. He helps organize special events like the Sunflower Fair Car Show, a long-standing tradition in La Porte. The club was specifically chosen to run this event due to their reputation for putting on well-organized, high-quality shows. Reflecting on his journey, he shared that he didn’t grow up in a family interested in cars; it was his friends in his later teen years who introduced him to the culture.
"I had taken welding in high school and always planned to do something with it, but I wasn’t sure what,” he said. “When I started using those skills to help my friends with their cars, I began to see what car culture was all about, and I got hooked."
The Black Sheep Car Club originally started with a shared interest in car culture.
“We used to volunteer at hot rod shows just to help out, and we'd often talk about how cool it would be to host our own shows one day,” he said. “The friends I volunteered with back then are the same ones I now organize shows with, so it's been a long-time vision of ours that’s turned into a reality."
The club ties together history, artistry, and a shared love within the community.
In a rapidly changing world, Eichberger believes people value having something constant in their lives. He strives to be a source of stability, offering reassurance, validation, and a listening ear to those who need it. He acknowledges that making friends becomes harder with age, and within the car club, many members have lost connections over the years. He recognizes the importance of providing a space for those who may no longer have their old friends around, helping to foster a sense of connection and belonging for those who seek it.
"You don't have to be the best to give it your all," he said. “Many people are afraid to try something because they believe their work won’t measure up to others, whether it’s someone else's job, art, or quality. If you give it your all, though, what more can you offer? That’s how you grow and improve.”
For Eichberger, evolving comes from fully committing to what you care about. He encourages people wanting to start out to find what truly matters to them and not be held back by comparison.
Eichberger’s advice on balancing multiple passions is rooted in focusing on what resonates with you and making a meaningful difference. He sees his work – whether through the car club, The Rest, or as a barber – as an opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives. Small gestures, like a kind word or offering an outside perspective, can change someone's day. Acknowledging that many people lack support or a sense of belonging, he emphasizes the importance of making others feel comfortable and providing a community for those who need it. Eichberger once longed to be part of something; he now finds himself in the role of offering that sense of connection to others.