Mr BILLY MICHAELS (solo) also with musician friends 'Jeriactric Jazz'. At times with other jazz combos :)
Influences
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 my sweet friend Billy Have a great Monday with peace Much love Your friend Nicole "We will know never, all the good that a simple smile can be able to make" ( Mère Teresa)
TODAY, Ill be co hosting on the Dave Charles radio show 102.3 hfm. Im nervous so to have you listening would be great, from 7pm (GMT) on line or radio x
Hi, Billy! Please stop by my profile to show your support for my music by listening to and buying my two new singles off iTunes called, “The Singles.” They include the new song, “Someday” and the NEW version of “Have Faith.” click here for iTunes Also, I’d really appreciate it if you’d add my new FACEBOOK music page: www.facebook.com/elizabethsouthmusic and new TWITTER: www.twitter.com/elisabethsouth Thank you! Please leave a comment, let me know what you think, and tell me how you’re doing!
I'm Co Hosting The Dave Charles radio show this sunday (1st Nov) 102.3hfm from 19.00GMT, never co hosted a whole show before and a little nervous, so if you could listen in and show some support it would really appreciated x
hullo 'smiler'.. have you been under weather?... long time no hear, and i have a feeling you might have not been one hundred per cent lately.. not thatyou would complain, as smiling and being happy is your persona..
well, whatever has kept you a bit low billy, i hope it's flown away and that you're feeling mucho mejor..
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