Billy Dee and Dale Watson at the Grand Ole Opry, circa 1999
Billy Dee and Dale Watson at the Grand Ole Opry, circa 1999
Read articles on Billy Dee from the October 10th, 2003 issue of the Austin Chronicle!
Billy Dee has paid his dues -- and then some. He has been the consummate side-man, singer, and songwriter to many great and famous musicians over many years. He lead Gilley's house band for six years. Most recently he played bass for Dale Watson, but after 5 great years he has decided to go on his own and let the world hear his own original music. Dale and Billy Dee are still the best of friends and enjoy hearing each other perform, and who knows what the future holds.
Billy Dee’s friends think this is a great idea. He will be booking his own gigs, if y’all are interested you can get a hold of him via this web site.
Billy Dee had already been performing with his best buddy, Redd Volkaert, both in Redd’s Saturday matinees at Austin’s famous Continental Club and every Tuesday at Ego’s in a combo called “Reddbilly.” Chris Gilson, Dale's former drummer, is part of the fun. Ricky Davis, steel-player of renown, sits in every chance he gets.
With his fabulous new CD Heart Don't Fail Me Now just released, I feel Billy Dee is poised to break-out. The only thing standing in his way is his humble opinion of himself. Billy has a great personality which is warmly accepted by audiences and has mastered the vocals and bass on an impressive repertory of traditional country songs. Plus he has written a bushel basket full of great songs, himself.
However, he is in awe of the skills and experience of his band mate and best friend, Redd. Admittedly, Redd Volkaert is one of the world's masters on the Telecaster and can sing pretty dang good, too. So far Billy Dee and Redd have been alternately sharing billing for “their” band. Many of us are hopeful, that how ever the ensemble shapes up, Billy Dee will become recognized for the great musician… and gentleman, that he is.
-- Bill Groll, Austin Americana
Billy Dee says, “I’d like to thank all my friends and fans who are still coming to see me. I truly appreciate the support you have given me over the years. I already have 14 new songs written and hope to have a new CD out by this fall. I will continue to do my best to keep singing the heart-felt country music that we all love so much.”
Read the Interview/Review on Take Country Back by Laurie Joulie
I met Billy in 1981 when he started at Gilley's in Pasadena Texas, as the bass player for the Bourbon Cowboy Band. Soon he became the band leader and remained at Gilly's for 6 years. After that he went to Nashville and had a four years housejob in Printers Ally at what used to be Skulls Rainbow Room.
He has played with David Allen Coe, Johnny Paycheck and Vern Gosdin. He's written some songs that are well known in Norway and Sweden when he was the bass player for Wendel Adkins, he's a fantastic songwriter and I feel lucky to write with him.
Billy was always great on the bass, and because he is a sideman for me, some of you may not know what a great singer Billy is. If you come to our weekly shows in Austin you may have the pleasure... with that said, Billy is working on getting his own cd out and I think it's about damn time! I can't wait.
Dale Watson
p.s., since Dale wrote this, Billy Dee's CD has been released, co-produced by Dale. See the Music Page for samples.
For booking email Billy Dee at: BillyFDee@aol.com
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