Daystar-Singers-Joe
How did you become a Daystar Singer?
I helped put a worship team together for Daystar’s first women’s conference and wrote a new music open for two of their original programs. After that, the door opened for me to come on board full-time as Music Director for Daystar in March 2003. So in one day, I became a Daystar Singer and Band member!
What is your funniest moment as a Daystar Singer?
Occasionally, Marcus or Joni will ask me on-air, “What would Grandpa say?” That’s a reference to my amazing Ukrainian Grandfather, Ivan Basansky. I’ll never forget the sound of his voice or the unique way he saw the world around him. Without much thought, “Grandpa’s” words just start roaring through me every time they ask. It cracks them up to hear what comes out of my mouth as it’s spoken with my best impression of a thick Ukrainian accent. Since that first request many years ago, “Grandpa,” has become somewhat of “regular” on Marcus & Joni and I love sharing his humor and spirit with our viewers watching around the world.

Joe Ninowski
Music Director | Tenor

With a passion to bring healing and hope to the world, Joseph Ninowski, Jr. works to impact lives through his music and service. Growing up, both of his parents were filled with a great love for music and ministry, and church was a way of life for the family. Joe’s mom was a gifted singer and Joe Sr. led worship at the church with the hope of one day sharing the Gospel with a global audience. Sadly, his father was killed in a tragic airplane crash when Joe was just 19. It seemed that his father’s lifelong dream of reaching the world through every means possible, including Christian TV, would die with him.

After getting a marketing degree from Oral Roberts University and marrying his college sweetheart, Sheila, Joe and his bride settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they started a family. Then, after moving to Dallas in 1990 for a record-producing contract, God opened the door for him to begin leading worship with the youth at Covenant Church where he eventually became the Worship Director.

In 2003, Joe began living out his parents’ vision to reach the world for Christ through television when he became Daystar’s Music Director. In addition to serving at Daystar and at his church, Joe has songwriting, album, commercial and scoring credits ranging from CBS sports themes to clients such as American Airlines, Citgo, and Verizon, as well as various Christian artists. Along with his parents and family, Joe thanks God for the three greatest earthly blessings in his life: his wife, Sheila, and their two children, Brooke and Joseph III.