Joe Hudson was born in Muhlenberg County, KY, where he still resides today with his wife Stacey, and daughter, Shelby. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, focusing on Rock & Southern Rock. In 2007, Joe began to branch out and become a student of Thumbpicking, a style of guitar that started in Muhlenberg County, when he began seeking instruction from well-known Thumbpicker and all-around great guitarist Steve Rector.

Joe has since played in numerous bands and shared stages with multiple well-known performers covering a wide range of styles, the most recent being actor / singer John Schneider (with whom he also performed numerous times at the Grand Ole Opry), and star of stage & screen Tom Wopat. Joe currently performs with his wife Stacey as the duo "Hudson & Co." and is the lead guitarist for the Branson/Pigeon Forge style Classic Country Tribute show "The Dukes of Country"

Awards to his credit include: Horizon Award Winner in 2009, President’s Award in 2014, Co-Thumbpicker of the Year in 2015, and Thumbpicker of the Year in 2016 by the fans & voting members of the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame.