Joel Rafael is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. His acoustic band, Joel Rafael Band, has performed all over the country and are considered to be one of the most refreshing acts on the national folk festival scene. Released on Joel's own record label, Reluctant Angel Records, the band's first album, Joel Rafael Band, won the San Diego CCMA award and Joel received the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk Emerging Songwriter Award.

The band's second CD, Old Wood Barn, was an Americana Hot Pick. Their third release, Hopper, was produced by Joel with the help of Dan Rothchild (Better than Ezra, The Lost Butterfield Tapes). 

Joel's first collection of Woody Guthrie songs, Woodeye: Songs of Woody Guthrie, included one unpublished lyric, Dance A Little Longer, co-written by Woody and Joel. He later released Woodyboye: Songs Of Woody Guthrie And Tales Worth Telling, Vol. 2, with four previously unpublished lyrics by Woody.