All styles of music have their greats, and these are performers who can convey EMOTION. My main musical influences include country greats Goerge Jones, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Jim Reeves; pop-rock superstars The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Chicago, King Crimson, Yes, the Police, etc.;
jazz/swing staples Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, etc.
Sounds Like
Ella Fitzgerald, Dianna Krall, Sarah Vaughn, Vanessa Reuben, Chris Connors, June Christie
When selecting the material for MIXED EMOTIONS, my efforts were concentrated on writing new songs. In addition to 4 of my own compositions, I was lucky enough to collaborate with 2 of the players on the disc, Dave Troncoso and Darrell Harbison, for 3 others. I also tried to use the very best musicians available. In the St. Louis area, that means drummer Demarius Hicks, pianist Dave Venn, bassists Dave Troncoso, Phil Burton, and Gus Thornton, guitarists Billy Barnett and Darrell Harbison, saxophonists Chris Deusinger and Amos Brewer, percussionists Mike Szwedo and Steve Strayhorn, and singer and vocal arranger Al Caldlwell. My performing groups usually consist of some combination of these guys and some others. I have worked my way up the ladder to enjoy accompaniment by musicians of the best caliber. With 30+ years of performance experience in a wide variety of settings and musical genres, I feel comfortable on any stage as part of any size group, duo to big band. I listen to and I am influenced by all kinds of music, but I prefer jazzy styles. Now that I have released MIXED EMOTIONS, I am focusing my attention on bookings and promoting the disc. Watch for appearances in Eastern US.
Put you on my IPOD. :) Listen to you everyday in my car. Hope to come see you play soon. Wish we could make it for Valentine's Day. We made plans before I knew you were playing.
Greetings from Glade Creek... Yep... we're still in the mountains of western North Carolina waitin' to sell our log home (Quiet seclusion, but convenient location...check out my blog...) I'll be at a barbecue in Black Mountain, NC this saturday... & at "Taste Of Black Mountain" on Sept. 11... & at The Encouraging Cup Coffeehouse in Arden, NC on Sept. 19. I'll be returning to The Biltmore Estate Winery on September 20 & 27, October 11 & 18, November 8, December 13 & 21. This will mark the end of my 11th season at The Biltmore Estate. Thanks to Hannah & Patricia in Special Projects and to Bruce & the staff at the Winery for everything you do to make The Biltmore Estate one of America's premier tourist attractions. I will be performing in my hometown, Alton, IL, on October 24 & 25 at Thymes Past on State Street in the historic Krug House. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends again... & making some new acquaintances with some of St. Louis' abundance of talented musicians. Tucked in & around these "payin' gigs" are a steady supply of performances at assisted care facilities, adult day services, nursing homes & prisons. I strongly urge all musicians to share your time and your talents by performing for similar venues. You'll be blessed more than you can believe.
keep smilin', keep a joyous song in your heart, & find a way to leave the world better than when ya got here...
Hello.... I'm coming back to Alton to perform @ one of my favorite venues, Thymes Past in Alton, IL on July 25-26..... reservations are suggested! Hope to see you then!
I have some marvelous pics of you in 2 slide shows on my SkyReport page from the Billy Barnett CD Release Party. http://skyreport. spaces. live. com/ Sky
