Billy Simons
Encyclopedia
Billy Simons is an American
singer-songwriter
originally from Ludlow, Massachusetts
. His music is often described as acoustic pop, rock, and folk. Although he sometimes plays with a trio, Simons mostly plays solo acoustic shows incorporating guitar tapping, beatboxing
, a looping effects pedal, and a distorted microphone through which he sings what sound like guitar solos, always playing exclusively with Taylor Guitars
.
, Sin-e
, The Living Room
, and The Canal Room
. In 2007, Simons released a compilation of his compositions under the title "The Joker's Hand" (2007) on iTunes
. Notable songs include "Sister Agnes," "Body," and "Part II." In 2009, Simons released a live solo acoustic album, "Live at the Academy" (2009). Later that year, Simons released "Music From the Motion Picture" (2009) following his sold-out CD release performance at The Bitter End
in New York City. He has opened performances for Bobby McFerrin
; Susan Tedeschi
; Dave Matthews
collaborator Tim Reynolds
; Pete Francis of Dispatch
; country superstar Phil Vassar
; Matisyahu
; Spin Doctors
Lead Singer Chris Barron; and Pure Prairie League
.
2003: "Billy Simons" (EP)
2007: "The Joker's Hand"
2008: "Sessions On A Hill" (EP)
2009: "Music From The Motion Picture"
2010: "Elyria"
Live Albums
2009: "Live At The Academy"
Video Links:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
originally from Ludlow, Massachusetts
Ludlow, Massachusetts
Ludlow is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,103 as of the 2010 census. It is located in western Massachusetts, north of Springfield, east of Chicopee, southeast of Granby, southwest of Belchertown, west of Wilbraham and is considered part of the...
. His music is often described as acoustic pop, rock, and folk. Although he sometimes plays with a trio, Simons mostly plays solo acoustic shows incorporating guitar tapping, beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
, a looping effects pedal, and a distorted microphone through which he sings what sound like guitar solos, always playing exclusively with Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars is an El Cajon, California‐based luthier, specializing in acoustic guitars, as well as semi-hollow and solidbody electric guitars. It was established in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug.- History :...
.
History
In 2004, Billy Simons began giving live performances at New York City venues such as The Bowery Ballroom, The Bitter EndThe Bitter End
The Bitter End is a nightclub in New York City's Greenwich Village. It opened its doors in 1961 at 147 Bleecker Street under the auspices of owner Fred Weintraub. The club changed its name to The Other End during the 1970s...
, Sin-e
Sin-é
Sin-é was the name of a music venue in New York City which helped launch the careers of several noted musicians in the early 1990s.-Original café:...
, The Living Room
The Living Room
The Living Room is a music venue on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side in New York City that was established in 1988. The Living Room is co-owned by Steve Rosenthal and Jennifer Gilson. The Living Room has showcased some of the best of New York City’s singer/songwriter, alt-country, and rock world...
, and The Canal Room
Canal Room
Canal Room is a music venue located at 285 West Broadway between Canal Street and Lispenard Street in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The space was formerly known as "Shine". It underwent a $1 million renovation in 2003 by owner Marcus Linial, a former J Records star...
. In 2007, Simons released a compilation of his compositions under the title "The Joker's Hand" (2007) on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. Notable songs include "Sister Agnes," "Body," and "Part II." In 2009, Simons released a live solo acoustic album, "Live at the Academy" (2009). Later that year, Simons released "Music From the Motion Picture" (2009) following his sold-out CD release performance at The Bitter End
The Bitter End
The Bitter End is a nightclub in New York City's Greenwich Village. It opened its doors in 1961 at 147 Bleecker Street under the auspices of owner Fred Weintraub. The club changed its name to The Other End during the 1970s...
in New York City. He has opened performances for Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
; Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi is an American blues and soul musician, who has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, and is well-known for her singing voice, guitar playing, stage presence, and marriage to blues guitarist Derek Trucks...
; Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
collaborator Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
; Pete Francis of Dispatch
Dispatch (band)
Dispatch is an American indie/roots band. The band consists of Brad Corrigan , Pete Francis Heimbold , and Chad Urmston ....
; country superstar Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar is an American country music artist. Vassar made his debut on the country music scene in the late 1990s, co-writing singles for several country artists, including Tim McGraw , Jo Dee Messina , Collin Raye , and Alan Jackson Phil Vassar (born May 28, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an...
; Matisyahu
Matisyahu
Matthew Paul Miller , better known by his Hebrew name and stage name Matisyahu, is an American Hasidic Jewish reggae and alternative rock musician....
; Spin Doctors
Spin Doctors
Spin Doctors is an American alternative rock band formed in New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits, "Two Princes," and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong," which peaked the Billboard Hot 100 charts at #7 & #17 respectively....
Lead Singer Chris Barron; and Pure Prairie League
Pure Prairie League
Pure Prairie League, sometimes abbreviated PPL, is an American country-rock band whose roots began between 1964 and 1969 in Waverly, Ohio with Craig Fuller, George Powell, Tom McGrail, Jim Caughlan and John David Call. In 1970 McGrail named the band after a 19th century temperance union mentioned...
.
Discography
Studio Albums & EPs2003: "Billy Simons" (EP)
2007: "The Joker's Hand"
2008: "Sessions On A Hill" (EP)
2009: "Music From The Motion Picture"
2010: "Elyria"
Live Albums
2009: "Live At The Academy"
External links
Video Links: