|
Who is he?
Residents of Rhode Island knew Billy Gilman
before the rest of the world did. He's been singing since he was two years old, and it didn't take long for Billy to explode
onto the country scene with his hit single "One Voice." He was eleven then. With the release of his debut album of the same
name (now Platinum certified), Billy quickly gained success and a slew of screaming young fans! In the couple years that followed,
he released his sophomore project Dare to Dream, as well as his first-ever Christmas album titled Classic Christmas.
By the time he was 13 years old, sales of his albums had topped a whopping FOUR million!!
However, just as fast as he'd
seemingly dropped in, he had vanished from the limelight altogether. Thanks to one very "normal," but very important factor
- like most teenage boys, Billy's own voice started changing. Doctors advised complete vocal rest. Billy says about the experience:
"I was doing so much - 90 plus concerts a year, television appearances, recording in the studio, and tons of interviews. I
was in constant motion and because of my voice change, I went from doing all of that to doing absolutely nothing at all. It
wasn't as if I made the decision to leave my music career to go back to being 'normal.' Being in music and singing is 'normal'
for me. I've been singing since I was two years old. It was my life and this was pretty traumatizing for me."
Now all
healed, Billy is jumping in head first and working on new music!
|
| Billy and Mattie J.T. Stepanek |
Aside from music, Billy devotes much of his
time working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), where he continues to raise awareness for the debilitating
children's disease - one that took the life of his friend, the poet, spokesperson, and peace maker Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Billy
honored his late friend by speaking at Mattie's memorial service. He also released a special project Music Through Heartsongs:
Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Billy current serves as Youth Chairman of the MDA.
What has Billy been up to?
Please continue to REQUEST Billy's songs at
radio and his videos on GAC and CMT!
Billy is working on recording new music for his upcoming album. Keep checking
back for additional details!
Here's a note from Billy:
Hey
Ya'll,
How is everyone doing? In Billy Gilman land things are going as expected and right on schedule. So many things
to fill you in on. First off. Went down to Nashville (as you found out through the BGF) and recorded two songs in the matter
of hours. I know some of you wanted brand new material, One of them is a brand new song. The other is a song that you all
know and have wanted a "studio" version of for a long time. I finally decided to record it and send it out to you all as a
gift, seeing its close to the holiday season. I get so many letters suggesting that I should record this song so I finally
did and I think it came out great. Totally different then the version on the Telethon *hint hint*. The other song was suggested
by my co manager Scott Siman a long time ago but at that point in time I declined it. I found it 5 years later and now decided
I am old enough to sing it with the feeling it deserves. That will be arriving soon. What a song it is! They are both in a
category that my fans respond to most...Country Ballads.
Next up after the recording sessions it was time for some
meetings. I met with a lot of industry people and it was these meetings where they finally saw the committed "adult Billy
Gilman". It was such an AWESOME experience seeing everybody wanting to get back on board. I also met with some songwriters
who have written hits for everybody including a little celebrity by the name of George Strait, haha. They will be coming up
to RI in coming weeks to start writing songs with me (yes my next record will probably have songs written by me this time!)
and they will be rocking songs! The ballads are what people know me by but we're going to write some kick butt fun stuff.
Everyone was so wonderful and ready to get me onto the next level. I am so excited to have their support.
On the MDA
front, I was asked by the President to serve another year as the Youth Chairman. This will be my 6th term and they have me
running this year and I wouldn't have it any other way. I just arrived back from the very professional MDA Board Meeting and
received the MDA Board Of Directors Excellence Award. I was floored that they chose me as a recipient of such a distinguished
award. It was great! All In All 2008 already looks like a pivotal year for us and I know I keep saying Hold On ...Its Time
but it truly does not come over night and that's where the dedication from not only me but you guys comes into play. Its a
never ending work in progress. I at this point am really enjoying my regular life and I can say that my hands are numb from
putting some many lights up outside my house. haha! Thanks for checking the website day in and day out and checking out the
Myspace. Enjoy the gift of "Cryin" and have a great Holiday Season!
Peace - bg
Where can I buy his music?
Billy's current album is self-titled. His
previous albums are:
Everything and More
Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie
J.T. Stepanek
Dare to Dream
Classic Christmas
One Voice
Pick up YOUR copies of
ALL of Billy's album by clicking on each respective CD cover:
|
