Mr BILLY MICHAELS (solo) also with musician friends 'Jeriactric Jazz'. At times with other jazz combos :)
影響
When I started out recording as 'POP' SINGER 'BILLY BUDD' my original influences were, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis,Bobby Goldsboro, and Stevie Wonder.
It was BOBBY DARIN who had the BIGGEST 'EFFECT' on me in the changing of my ideas and 'style'. HE HEARD ME SINGING AT A RECORDING SESSION in New York. We then had quite a long conversation during which he gave me A GREAT DEAL OF ENCOURAGEMENT to look towards moving more to 'his' style of music. That was really the 'turning' point. From there I began listening to his recordings. Later there came a MEETING with JOHNNY MATHIS , and he too gave me a GREAT INCENTIVE to develop more in a ballad/swing style. Eddie Fisher and Vic Damone they both helped me consider a different path. Listening to the musicianship of Mulligan, Stan Getz and Dave Brubeck; all this helped me to start thinking towards a 'style' change.
Tony Bennett, Matt Monro, Jimmy Scott, Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, Perry Como all these fine artists had a degree of 'influence' on me. In the past, and recently, I have worked with a number of brilliant musicians and singers who have helped me enormously.
My respect for musicians and fellow singers in general is very high, and they continue to be a real source of inspiration for me in my craft. I will always welcome their help. I have always maintained the fact that one can keep on learning more in a communication sense with regards to singing, and that I will work consistently to improve this line as much as I can. This rule was expressed to me by 'ONE GREAT SINGER' whom I have already mentioned. My new CD Tribute is dedicated to the work of some of the finest singers, song writers, musicians and arrangers. Some of these I have known, and some I would like to know.
Despite the 'influences' I emerged with MY OWN SOUND :)
Billy is resting from work right now, as of OCT 2009. Hopefully he will be back to work sometime in 2010.
BILLY IS A GOOD MAN to know, and be around. He is charming, affable, extremely helpful, and generous, and at times VERY funny, and will talk on any 'subject' you wish to. He is an 'avid' student of 'Philosophy' and is very 'learned' about life in general. A GREAT PERSON to discuss your 'views' with.
Billy has had many ACCOLADES bestowed upon him by ‘STAR’ names concerning his 'Vocal' ability. He was described by a very well known record producer at EMI RECORDS as having a 'SUNSHINE VOICE' which amused Billy at the time. His most SUCCESSFUL RECORD SALES (Chart success) were in Countries such as Spain, Germany and South Africa. Some of his 'older' recordings are available on the web. He toured the CONTINENT as well as Canada and America playing some of the 'FINEST ROOMS' in these Countries, and of course, the UK. Billy has met many of the 'TOP' names in the business, and appeared as a 'Guest' on TV and Stage shows with them. You can find stories of some meetings on his MAIN WEBSITE www.billymichaelssings.com so take a look :) He was originally trained as a 'classical' singer, but decided early that this 'genre' was not really the one he wanted to persue. Billy went from 'POP' to his now 'JAZZ' style of the 40s/50s on a chance meeting with BOBBY DARIN (at a recording session NY) and later JOHNNY MATHIS. HIS SUCCESSES on EMI, PYE and PAGE ONE RECORDS (1967 to late 70s) are still around (not Billy Michaels) under his 'earlier' stage name.
His SUCCESS in the past is something he acknowledges. He 'retired' from 'music' as such, and recording in the 1980s, and went into business. From there he went to ACTING SCHOOL. He was 'coaxed' back into singing by a WELL KNOWN BAND LEADER in 2004.
Working with 'LIVE' musicians is what Billy likes to do best, and as of late this is happening When he can, he is performing with JAZZ COMBOS and occasionally, BIG BANDS. MUSICIANS/ETC can CONTACT HIM through MYSPACE or berdoe@yahoo.com or PLUG-IN STUDIOS on 0161-866-8566.
PRIVATE FUNCTIONS and Charity SPECIALS (of which the majority are by invitation only) are his main work at this time. He is being featured on RADIO in Britain and WORLDWIDE (approx 32 Countries) at this time, with success.
Billy is WITHOUT A DOUBT, one of the FINEST SINGERS in his field. He is also a talented ACTOR, with STAGE appearances, TV dramas, and FILM 'character' roles to his credit, working for MAJOR COMPANIES in the UK. He enjoys this work and continues it along with his singing.
****** Billy is now 'MENTORING' other singers' at their request. One in particular is JOHN-ERIC BOOTH a very talented young singer from West Virginia in the USA who has toured with THE GLEN MILLER ORCHESTRA and done sessions with THE PAT LONGO BIG BAND in HOLLYWOOD. Billy has considerable skill in the 'tutoring' area, and requests for his time are still being applied for.
******HIS CD "TRIBUTE" ALBUM IS OUT NOW! BUY IT FROM www.BillyMichaelsSings.com Take a look!! BILLY may be changing RECORD LABELS soon, so watch out for this news!!! The information content here is very up to date, as of Oct 2009.
****** This 'blurb' was compiled by myself, BEN BLEASE of 'PLUG-IN' PRODUCTION STUDIOS Manchester, and acknowleged by Mr Michaels. I am a RECORDING ENGINEER/PRODUCER and I have produced Billy's 'recordings' to date. I would always wish to work with this man. I find him the 'consumate' performer and one of the easiest of singers to work with.
Hi again Billy. Thanks for your continued friendship and support. Read, working through your problems. A loss takes a long time to heal. We pray for you and all those hurting:-) LOVE AND PEACE. Julian Sage and family.
Hello old friend; Facebook stole me away! How are you?? Lots of news, here (finally wrote a couple of blogs with updates and posted a bunch of new gig photos). Much love; Brenda
I know it's a lot to ask, but I ( and Bubba the freeloader) would truly appreciate it if you would go to the People's Choice Awards site and vote for RESCUE INK. http://cdn.peopleschoice.com/pca/votenow.jsp?source=widget&utm_source=widget&pollId=900031 These guys do an awesome job of looking out for those poor critters who are mistreated and abused. If you have watched their show on National Geographic you know they have no love for the A**holes who harm animals and all the love in the world for critters they rescue. You can vote every day too...which would be 'fritter fabulous'!! Thank you tater tot ;)
Hi my sweet friend Billy Good morning!!! I wish you a fabulous Monday and a great week ahead, with peace and serenity We need the ones and others. The human being is not made to be insulated, but to divide.. (Alice Parizeau) A lots of love Your friend Nicole xxx
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