Archived Stories

2005

Billy has assembled a collection of over 30 songs which he has written and recorded over the past 25 years and plans to release them on his new CD, Mixed Messages. The CD (likely to be a double disc set) represents the entire range of Billy's musical influences, including rock, pop, R&B, country, Latino, and gospel. Recorded in many different studios, both professional and otherwise, the recordings reflect different levels of production value that vary from simple to full-blown productions. "I have wanted to do this project for many years and really need to get this done," says Billy. Look for a December release on RD&B Records. (10/13/05)

Billy has released a DVD set, The Road Well Traveled, which includes the rock 'n' roll travel tips tutorial hosted by Billy, "Know the Road" (1995); a special song and video tribute to Dennis Wilson, "One in a Million" (1974); and a short subject comedy featuring Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Billy, Ricky Fataar, Bobby Figueroa, Ed Carter, and Carli Muñoz, "The Match" (1974). Footage from "The Match" is rare, never-before-seen video, shot during the Beach Boys' 1974 summer tour and recently edited. Total DVD running time is 80 minutes approximately. More. (updated 2/17/05)

Billy continues to write and edit more chapters for his long awaited book, I Got Around (Volume 1). The book is now being "shopped around" to major publishers. More info. (updated 1/4/05)

2004

The 2004 CineVegas Film Festival screened a short subject, black & white, 3.5 minute film dedicated to the late Dennis Wilson that Billy shot on tour with the Beach Boys in the summer of 1974 as part of a UCLA film project. The film's soundtrack is Billy's composition of "One in a Million." The film is also titled One in a Million and was debuted publicly at the Dennis Wilson Bash in Santa Monica, CA in December 2003. The film festival runs from June 11-19. (5/2/04)

In a related story, Endless Summer Quarterly has chosen Billy's "One in a Million" as the title track on ESQ's special release for their subscribers (and Dennis Wilson Bash attendees), featuring tracks submitted by many talented artists, including Al Jardine, Adam Jardine, Scott Bennett (with Brian Wilson), David Marks, In Bloom's Carl B. Wilson and Justyn Wilson, Michael Angeloff (with Beach Boy Carl Wilson), Gary Griffin (with Jeff Foskett), and others. (updated 5/2/04)

The April 2004 issue of Las Vegas Food & Beverage magazine features a generous 2-page article and interview with Billy and his lifelong friend, Desi Arnaz, Jr., in which the two talk about the historical town of Boulder City, NV, its fine restaurants, and Desi's Boulder City Theatre. Billy is the magazine's "Music & Atmosphere Editor," and will be writing about various restaurants in Las Vegas, with the emphasis on their musical ambiance and conviviality. (5/2/04)

Billy has written two new songs entitled "Merima" and "With This Heart," that he plans to record sometime in the near future. (5/2/04)

The Boulder City Dance Studio (Nevada) will present a musical recital on Valentine's Day (Saturday, February 14) featuring the young people with whom Billy has been teaching guitar and piano. The age of the students ranges from 8 to 14 years old. Featured songs will include the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Let It Be," "On Broadway," and a Beach Boys segment including "Little Deuce Coupe," "In My Room" and "Kokomo."(2/3/04)

Billy has been chosen to be a talent judge at the USA World Pageant to be held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 21. Other judges will include BluBlocker Calendar model Leila Sas (former Miss Hungary), one of the Platters, and Billy's old buddy from the '60s rockin' pop group Paul Revere & the Raiders, bassist Phil "Fang" Volk. (2/3/04)

Ricci Martin and the Pack (of which Billy is the Musical Director) have been hired to play a private party for Washington, D.C. bigwigs on Friday, April 30. (2/3/04)

2003

Billy was a featured performer at the The Carl Wilson Foundation Benefit Concert that was held Sunday, October 6, 2002 at Royce Hall on the campus of his alma mater, UCLA. Billy and Matthew Sweet joined with Brian Wilson and his band to sing "Sail On Sailor." The concert also featured Eric Clapton, Sugar Ray, The Wilsons, and In Bloom. Billy joined with Ricci Martin and Jeffrey Foskett as tour guides for the first CWF Historical Bus Tour of Beach Boys-related sites (including Brian Wilson's lemonade stand) earlier the same day. Billy and Jeff also led the sing-a-long at the CWF's post-Walk Beach Party the day before. (updated 11/17/02)

Billy is now part of a group of veteran musicians and singers calling themselves Beach Party! He'll be singing and playing a lot more guitar in this brand new configuration which specializes in Beach Boys material. David Marks personally asked him to be a part of this group. Beach Party! tour dates can be found here. (1/26/01)