REINCARNATION OF A CLASSIC

Ricci, Desi & Billy's CD, Live from Boulder City, is a full 13-song CD that was recorded on May 5, 2001, at the Historic Boulder Theatre in Boulder City, Nevada. All band members (Jeff Foskett, Bobby Figueroa, Wayne Tweed and Craig Copeland) are featured in their own solo segments during the show. Beyond the music, there are lots of interesting anecdotes and plenty of good humor. Now available on RD&B Records. Visit riccidesibilly.com for details on how to order.

The Ricci, Desi & Billy CD Live in Vegas is also available. To order, call (702) 293-5001. It is a six song, 20 minute set recorded at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in November 1999 when the group opened for Al Jardine's Family & Friends. Samples from the album can be found at RDB's website.

Ricci, Desi & Billy debuted at the 1999 Malibu Carl Wilson Walk Against Cancer. For more information on RDB, please visit the official Ricci, Desi & Billy website and check out the press-release bio offered here on Billy's site. (updated 5/28/02)
 

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Check out The Best Of Dino, Desi & Billy — The Rebel Kind! Twenty tracks, including “Lady Love” co-penned by Brian Wilson, with liner notes by Dennis Diken and lots of rare photos. This CD is available from Sundazed Records.

Also available on CD — I'm a Fool/Our Time's Coming by Dino Desi & Billy and Beached by Ricci Martin!
 

NEWS

Billy will be on tour in early 2013 with California Surf, Inc. — featuring musicians who have toured and recorded with The Beach Boys. Longtime former touring members Bobby Figueroa, Billy Hinsche, Ed Carter, Matt Jardine, and Philip Bardowell will take you on a 90-minute music journey through the history of The Beach Boys, performing all the hit songs such as “Surfin' USA,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Kokomo” and “California Girls.” More.

Feb. 25 — Herb Strauss Theater, Sanibel, FL
Feb. 26 — Charlotte County Cultural Center, Port Charlotte, FL
Feb. 27 — Chateau Elan, Sebring, FL
Feb. 28 — The Villages, FL
March 1 — King's Point, Sun City Center, FL
March 2 — Martin Theatre, Panama City, FL
March 9 — Englewood Music Festival, Englewood, FL

(updated 12-7-12)

Special Screening: Billy will screen his film 1974 — On the Road with The Beach Boys at the 2010 Pawtucket, RI Arts Film Festival. Two screenings will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main Street in Pawtucket, RI (USA). Billy will conduct a Q&A and perform an acoustic set following each screening. Tickets are $10 and includes a catered reception and autograph session. An after-party and jam session with Billy will be held at The Comfort Inn, 2 George St. in Pawtucket, RI at 10 p.m. immediately following the film's screenings (so bring your acoustic instruments). Discount group rates available at The Comfort Inn (401-723-6700) for the Pawtucket Arts Festival (rate code: PA). For more information, contact Al Gomes at Big Noise at 401-274-4770 (USA). (updated 8-28-10)

Billy was a featured artist at Rock Con's “Weekend of 100 Rock Stars” fan-friendly fest that ran from July 30 - August 1, 2010 at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center in E. Rutherford, NJ. He was joined by Al Jardine, Mary Wilson, Tommy James, Little Anthony, Andy Kim, Ron Dante, and many of his other contemporaries for what Billy describes as, “a weekend that is comparable to country music's Fan Fair... an opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with many of your favorite performers.” The event featured a screening of Billy's latest documentary film 1974 — On the Road with The Beach Boys. More info. (updated 8-16-10)

Billy has a few upcoming shows with Al Jardine, who is touring in support of his new CD A Postcard from California. Dates include: Wednesday, July 21 — Palm Desert, CA (La Quinta, private show); Wednesday, August 25 — Louisville, KY (State Fair) with Dean Torrence; and Saturday, September 4 — Phoenix, AZ (Casino Arizona) with Dean Torrence. (7-16-10)

A new Brian Wilson documentary is in the works by a group of young, independent UK filmmakers who specialize in biographies about people in the field of music. Billy was contacted and agreed to do a lengthy interview that was conducted on the lovely beach at Santa Monica Bay. He facilitated in getting David Marks and Bruce Johnston to participate, and they both make contributions to this documentary. The film concentrates on the music of Brian Wilson in the '60s and is devoid of any private issues or sensational aspects of Brian's personal life. It is destined for a DVD release. (7-16-10)

Academy Award winning Director Quentin Tarantino has included a song Billy recorded during his years with Dino, Desi & Billy called “She's So Far Out She's In” as part of the soundtrack to his company's production of the cult classic biker movie Hell Ride. The official synopsis reads: “Hell Ride is a raucous throwback to the days of the Sergio Leone spaghetti western, with a heaping helping of testosterone-fueled chopper action thrown into the mix.” The movie is directed by Larry Bishop, the son of noted American comic and Rat Pack member, Joey Bishop, and is now available on DVD. More. (7-16-10)

Deana Martin (Dean's daughter) asked Billy to join her onstage to sing a duet during a weekend stint at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 24, 2010. The two old friends performed a very personal version of Dean's signature mega-hit “Memories Are Made of This.” Desi Arnaz, Jr. also joined them onstage. (updated 7-26-10)

Billy has released his latest video project, 1974 — On the Road with The Beach Boys. More. (updated 1/12/10)

Billy appeared at ESQ's “Pet Sounds Safari,” record show and fan convention in Cornelius and Davidson (near Charlotte), NC on Sept. 12, 2009, joining David Marks, Dean Torrence, and others. The event benefitted the Cornelius Animal Shelter. More. (updated 9/25/09)

Congratulations go to Justyn and Britta Wilson, on the birth of their son Dean Carl Wilson, born June 18, 2007 and their daughter Neva Venae Wilson, born August 6, 2008. Dean and Neva are the grandchildren of Justyn's parents, Annie Wilson-Karges and the late Carl Wilson (of Beach Boys' fame). Billy is their great uncle. (updated 8/25/08)

Billy joined Brian Wilson on his Summer 2007 European tour. Photos. (9/15/07)

Photo: Billy Hinsche

IN MEMORIAM: Producer, writer and singer Lee Hazlewood lost his battle with renal cancer on August 4, 2007, at his home near Las Vegas. He was 78. Lee was a hit songwriter (“These Boots Are Made for Walking,” “Jackson,” “Houston”), recording artist, and producer, as well as composer for several film scores. He also produced four albums for Dino, Desi & Billy. After being diagnosed with his fatal disease, Lee chose to work on one final album, Cake or Death, which was released in 2007. (8/6/07)

Billy has assembled a 5 minute promo reel for concert buyers to promote his very own show, “Billy Hinsche of Dino, Desi & Billy.” The show features songs of DD&B, original compositions and a Beach Boys classic he has long been associated with — “Sail on Sailor.” (3/20/07)

Billy continues to teach music to kids for both piano and guitar. (3/20/07)

Since the Carl Wilson Foundation has been doing their annual Golf Scrambles in Michigan, Billy has become an avid golfer and plays regularly with friends in Vegas. (3/20/07)

Whenever possible, Billy continues to write more and more stories for his long-awaited book, tentatively titled I Got Around. See the Writings section for some samples. (3/20/07)

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