Jessica Foster
Staff WriterIt could be said Bo Billy is a bit of a gambler. After all, it was a bet that turned the rock and roll lover into a country singer.
ìI was into rock and roll all my life. A friend of mine said I couldnít write a good country song,î Billy explained.
Naturally, he set out to prove his buddy wrong. In doing so, he found a love for the music genre rooted deep in the heart of Nashville.
Billy, who lives in White Bear Lake and works at Upperdeck Grill and Bar in Forest Lake, just might be on the verge of making it big in country music.
While his songs are not being played on K-102 or 98 Country, (the artist isnít quite sure why) Billyís music can be heard on more than 450 stations across the United States.
His new album, ìWild For You,î features a variety of songs including ìThe Ying Yang is Gone,î ìIíll Fit Like A Love,î and ìFor the Life of Me,î all written by the artist.
Other songs include the title track ìWild for You,î, ìBorderline Crazy,î ìTell Me Again,î ìLow Maintenance Girl,î ìí69 Beetle,î ìBlink,î ìEverything Good,î and a remake of Diane Warrenís ìWhen I See You Smile,î originally sung by Bad English.
Billy hestitates to list a favorite or even a top 5 from ìWild For You,î his second album.
It was his goal to create an album not with one or two good songs, but an entire disc of potential hits.
ìI didnít want this to be just another album with a couple of good songs,î he said.
Billy, who DJs on the side but rarely turns on the radio or television, said he enjoys the rock and roll country of Kid Rock andówhile a girl once twisted his arm to get him to see PrinceóBilly said the musician of funk and soul wowed him with his amazing talent.
Too, the emerging recording artist said he appreciates the work of Hank Williams Sr. and others but always will be himself. Emulation, it seems, is not a word in Billyís vocabulary.
ìIím not trying to be anybody,î he said. ìIíll respect them but I wonít try to emulate them.î
Music was part of the artistís upbringing. While his father did not play professionally he always had guitars around the house. Billy first started picking the strings when he was 5-years-old. It was his mother who bought him his first guitar. At 12-years-old, he started playing professionally. While his band mates partied after shows, he got a ride home from dad. His siblings, too, have grown up with a love for music.
As Billy is enjoying success and perhaps on the verge of the big time, it is his family who comprise his biggest, most spirited fans.
When reviews come in they are there to read them and celebrate the raves.
ìTheyíre real proud of me,î Billy says with a smile on his face. ìTheyíre constantly calling.î
So he doesnít want to make it big so much for the fame and fortune, though no one would turn down a few extra greenbacks.
ìThe reason I want to get to that levelóitís not for the bright lights and limousines. Itís actually to prove to myself I can do it,î Billy said.
CD release party
A CD release party is planned for January 14 at Upperdeck. Everyone coming to the party will receive a free single at the door. Copies of ìWild For Youî will be available for sale at the CD release party.
On January 15, the artist will travel to Nashville for a second CD release party.
The album also is available on www.Amazon.com, www.Target.com and on www.BoBilly.com.
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