Described in the Pittsburgh Press as "America's Blackface Songster" (March 25, 1928; Society Section, p11), Joe Darcey was a comedic blackface minstrel who toured extensively throughout the United States in the 1910s and 1920s. He visited a few Canadian cities as well, including Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal. The small feature in the Pittsburgh Press states "He specializes in popular numbers of the narrative variety and his patter is of the smiley sort." A 1919 vaudeville review of a show at the American (NYC) states that Darcey "has a manner of getting intimate with his audience and to aid him has a very good voice. His songs and stories were good and netted him the biggest hand of the bill" (New York Clipper, March 5, 1919, p9). The November 2nd, 1921 New York Clipper also includes a positive review of Darcey's vaudeville act at the Regent, which featured six encores (p11).

Sheet music from a number of songs Darcey interpreted is still extent, including "Don't Leave me Mammy," "Let it Rain, Let it Pour," "My Kid," and "You're Just a Great Big Baby Doll".

Known tour dates to Canada include Hamilton (in December 1919, and February 27, 1921), Toronto (March 13, 1921) and Montreal (March 20, 1921)