Billy Nichols
Encyclopedia
Billy Nichols was one of nine children born to Laura Bell and Tom Sanders in Carrollton, Mississippi
. They were a farming family. At the end of the work day, Billy's father played blues on the guitar. Billy and his family gathered on the porch to listen. Billy would play the guitar when his father was not home. Billy's favorite blues artist was Muddy Waters
. He was also influenced by the likes of Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Louis Jordan, Hank Williams, the Blindboys of Mississippi, and many, many other artists that he heard on the radio.
When he was 14, the family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
. Billy joined the high school band and played in a local band with his brother Ernest, Lyn Perry and Bob Burgess. After high school, he joined the gospel group The Bells of Harmony and traveled from church to church.
Billy then joined Jimmy Vick and The Victors. After they recorded a single in 1963, they had their picture in Billboard Magazine and got some local radio airplay. However, by November, the group broke up. In 1964, Billy went to Detroit to live with his brother with his guitar.
He and Tony Newton were hired by Motown Records
where his first job was playing with Martha and the Vandellas
. Billy was also in the Motown Road Band led by Choker Campbell where Billy played for the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder
, The Spinners, the Four Tops
, and many other Motown
artists. Later he became the musical director for Marvin Gaye
touring and working with the band at all of his concerts.
He met Billy Stewart, a recording artist who had hit records in Cleveland, Ohio. It was through Billy Stewart
that Billy Nichols was taken to Chicago to the Chess Recording Studio where Stewart recorded two of Billy’s songs: “To Love, to Love’ and “Summertime.” This was Billy's first formal opportunity to be the songwriter that he truly wanted to be.
Still on the road with Marvin Gaye and being disenchanted with the roadwork, Billy jumped at the opportunity to lead a house band in New York City. Billy Nichols and the Soul Swingers played at the Crystal Ballroom for about three years. Many artists came through and performed with the band: such as Al Green, Wilson Picket,
Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Bobby Womack, etc. Through this gig, Billy met Galt MacDermot
, the writer/composer of the musical "Hair
." He invited Billy to work with him on the musical play Two Gentlemen of Verona
Billy’s job was to rehearse the fledgling actors and to get them accustomed to singing to the sound of an electric guitar instead of a piano. The actors were Clifton Davis
, Raul Julia
, Jonelle Allen, Diana Davila, Jeff Goldblum
and a cast and ensemble of singers and dancers. The play won a Tony
in 1972 for best music in a play.
Billy was still composing songs. His first hit song was "Ask Me What You Want" recorded by Millie Jackson
in 1972. It reached the top twenty on Billboard
. In 1973 penned the all-time classic entitled, "Do It Til You’re Satisfied," recorded by B.T. Express
and released in 1974. Billy went on to write and produce a couple of other hits for the group such as “Can’t Stop Groovin’” and “Shout It Out.” In 1979, near the end of the disco era, Billy wrote, sang and co-produced with Andre Saunders a disco classic entitled, “Give Your Body Up to the Music.” Billy produced two rap records, which are hip-hop classics, the pioneering: “The Adventures of Super Rhymes” and “Rhythm Rap Rock.”
Rappers such as Will Smith
, Beanie Sigel
, EPMD, Master P
, Ice Cube
, P. Diddy, Jay-Z
, Ludacris
, Dr. Dre
and de la Soul
have sampled Billy Nichols' music. A sample of his song “Do It,” heard in the song entitled “Addictive” performed by recording artist Truth Hurts, won him two BMI awards
for most urban airplay for the year 2002.
Many television shows have featured Billy’s music such as:
In addition, his songs have been heard on BET’s:
Billy Nichols released his own CD entitled “Love Stuff” in 2008.
Carrollton, Mississippi
Carrollton is a town in Carroll County, Mississippi, United States. It is the county seat of Carroll County. The population was 408 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenwood, Mississippi micropolitan area-Geography:...
. They were a farming family. At the end of the work day, Billy's father played blues on the guitar. Billy and his family gathered on the porch to listen. Billy would play the guitar when his father was not home. Billy's favorite blues artist was Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
. He was also influenced by the likes of Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Louis Jordan, Hank Williams, the Blindboys of Mississippi, and many, many other artists that he heard on the radio.
When he was 14, the family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. Billy joined the high school band and played in a local band with his brother Ernest, Lyn Perry and Bob Burgess. After high school, he joined the gospel group The Bells of Harmony and traveled from church to church.
Billy then joined Jimmy Vick and The Victors. After they recorded a single in 1963, they had their picture in Billboard Magazine and got some local radio airplay. However, by November, the group broke up. In 1964, Billy went to Detroit to live with his brother with his guitar.
He and Tony Newton were hired by Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
where his first job was playing with Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
. Billy was also in the Motown Road Band led by Choker Campbell where Billy played for the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, The Spinners, the Four Tops
Four Tops
The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
, and many other Motown
artists. Later he became the musical director for Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
touring and working with the band at all of his concerts.
He met Billy Stewart, a recording artist who had hit records in Cleveland, Ohio. It was through Billy Stewart
Billy Stewart
Billy Stewart was an American musical artist, with a highly distinctive scat-singing style, who enjoyed popularity in the 1960s.-Biography:...
that Billy Nichols was taken to Chicago to the Chess Recording Studio where Stewart recorded two of Billy’s songs: “To Love, to Love’ and “Summertime.” This was Billy's first formal opportunity to be the songwriter that he truly wanted to be.
Still on the road with Marvin Gaye and being disenchanted with the roadwork, Billy jumped at the opportunity to lead a house band in New York City. Billy Nichols and the Soul Swingers played at the Crystal Ballroom for about three years. Many artists came through and performed with the band: such as Al Green, Wilson Picket,
Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Bobby Womack, etc. Through this gig, Billy met Galt MacDermot
Galt MacDermot
Galt MacDermot is a Canadian composer, pianist and writer of musical theatre. He won a Grammy Award for the song African Waltz in 1960. His most successful musicals have been Hair and Two Gentlemen of Verona...
, the writer/composer of the musical "Hair
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
." He invited Billy to work with him on the musical play Two Gentlemen of Verona
Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical)
Two Gentlemen of Verona is a rock musical, with a book by John Guare and Mel Shapiro, lyrics by Guare and music by Galt MacDermot, based on the Shakespeare comedy of the same name....
Billy’s job was to rehearse the fledgling actors and to get them accustomed to singing to the sound of an electric guitar instead of a piano. The actors were Clifton Davis
Clifton Davis
Clifton Duncan Davis is an American actor, songwriter and minister. He has appeared on the television shows as A World Apart, That's My Mama and Amen...
, Raul Julia
Raúl Juliá
Raúl Rafael Juliá y Arcelay was a Puerto Rican actor.Born in San Juan, he gained interest in acting while still in school. Upon completing his studies, Juliá decided to pursue a career in acting. After performing in the local scene for some time, he was convinced by entertainment personality Orson...
, Jonelle Allen, Diana Davila, Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum
Jeffrey Lynn "Jeff" Goldblum is an American actor. His career began in the mid-1970s and he has appeared in major box-office successes including The Fly, Jurassic Park and its sequel Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and Independence Day...
and a cast and ensemble of singers and dancers. The play won a Tony
Tony
Tony is a male name. It can be a short form of Anthony or Antonio. It may refer to:* Anthony , includes a list of people with this name* Kawasaki Ki-61, a Japanese WWII-era fighter aircraft, code-named "Tony"...
in 1972 for best music in a play.
Billy was still composing songs. His first hit song was "Ask Me What You Want" recorded by Millie Jackson
Millie Jackson
Mildred "Millie" Jackson is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and comedienne. Three of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies....
in 1972. It reached the top twenty on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
. In 1973 penned the all-time classic entitled, "Do It Til You’re Satisfied," recorded by B.T. Express
B.T. Express
B.T. Express was an American funk/disco group, that had a number of successful songs during the 1970s.-Career:...
and released in 1974. Billy went on to write and produce a couple of other hits for the group such as “Can’t Stop Groovin’” and “Shout It Out.” In 1979, near the end of the disco era, Billy wrote, sang and co-produced with Andre Saunders a disco classic entitled, “Give Your Body Up to the Music.” Billy produced two rap records, which are hip-hop classics, the pioneering: “The Adventures of Super Rhymes” and “Rhythm Rap Rock.”
Rappers such as Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
, EPMD, Master P
Master P
Percy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, P. Diddy, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and de la Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
have sampled Billy Nichols' music. A sample of his song “Do It,” heard in the song entitled “Addictive” performed by recording artist Truth Hurts, won him two BMI awards
for most urban airplay for the year 2002.
Music included in television and film
Billy’s music can also be heard in the soundtracks for the movies:- Carlito’s Way
- InkwellInkwellAn inkwell is a small jar or container, often made of glass, porcelain, silver, brass, or pewter, used for holding ink in a place convenient for the person who is writing...
- Gun CrazyGun CrazyGun Crazy is a 1950 film noir feature film starring Peggy Cummins and John Dall in a story about the crime-spree of a gun-toting husband and wife. The film was directed by Joseph H. Lewis, and produced by Frank King and Maurice King...
- theme song of Showtime at the ApolloShowtime at the ApolloShowtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
- Mo’ Money
- Rush Hour 2Rush Hour 2Rush Hour 2 is a 2001 martial arts action comedy film. This is the second installment in the Rush Hour film series. A sequel to the 1998 film Rush Hour, the film stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker who respectively reprise their roles as Inspector Lee and Los Angeles police detective James Carter...
- Serving Susan
- White ChicksWhite ChicksWhite Chicks is a 2004 American film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written and produced by Keenen Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. The film was produced by Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios...
- The Streets Are Watching'
- One Perfect DayOne Perfect DayOne Perfect Day is an Australian film released in 2004.-Plot:The central character of the film is Tommy Matisse; his name combines the title of The Who's 1969 rock opera Tommy and the last name of twentieth century French painter Henri Matisse....
- The Fast and the FuriousThe Fast and the Furious-Films:* Fast and Furious, 1939 film* The Fast and the Furious * The Fast and the Furious ** The Fast and the Furious ** 2 Fast 2 Furious ** The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift...
Many television shows have featured Billy’s music such as:
- Third WatchThird WatchThird Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
- That 70’s Show
- Late Night with Conan O’Brien
- Stoned Age
- ParenthoodParenthood (2010 TV series)Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Katims and produced by Imagine Television and Universal Media Studios. The first season premiered on March 2, 2010 on NBC...
- MTV’s “Cribs
- Dismissed
- Real WorldReal WorldThe real world is another term for reality. It may also refer to:-Television:* The Real World, a television show* "The Real World" , a television episode-Music:* "Real World" , an album by Kokia...
- Behind the MusicBehind the MusicBehind the Music is a television series on VH1. It originally ran from 1997 to 2006, before it was stopped and only aired new episodes sporadically. The series places its generality on documentation of musical artists or groups who are interviewed and profiled, and discuss how their careers became...
In addition, his songs have been heard on BET’s:
- How I’m Living
- Cita’s World
Billy Nichols released his own CD entitled “Love Stuff” in 2008.