BILLY NEWSNew Interview With BillyHere's a link to Billy's behind the scene interview at TEDxAtlanta - May 2010 Billy Loves Asia, Asia Loves Billy
TPT (PBS) Channel 2 - Twin Cities to feature Billy December first in studio for pledge drive!More info coming soon! AP Puts Billy on the wire!June 29th 3pm CDT this story ran on the associated press. It's been picked up on a number of organizations: Dallas News reporting Rhet Butler ConcertsHere's a list of scheduled shows announced this week and upcoming shows for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Search GuideLive.com for venue information. And Guide to the City is reporting it too. Toronto, ON ReelHeART Film Festival
|
March 2010 - A month to remember. From the Jeepneys of Manila to the Great Wall of China, Billy's first ever performances in Asia were a huge success. He can't wait to go back!!! 
 |
Congratulations to Suzanne Jurva and the entire Changing Keys production team for winning top honors, a Platinum Remi Award, at this year's Houston International Film Festival. Changing Keys earned this prestigious award from over 4,300 films submitted to this year's competition. |
Article in the Star Tribune 3/20/'09
Chris Riemenschneider's article about the World Premiers at the Parkway Theater appeared recently in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Click here for link.
Billy on Twin Cites Live, KSTP 5, 3/19/09
To see the full interview on line, click here.
Interview on Minnesota Public Radio
On March 7th, Steven John welcomed Billy back, they last spoke on the air when Billy was diagnosed. This ten-minute interview includes Billy playing live and explaining the effects of dystonia and what it was like adapting to playing left-handed.Click here for link.
Concert DVD on Sale!
The long-awaited concert DVD by Dave Taylor will be released this October. Full of live performances with orchestra and the band, interviews, back-stage footage, and a second disc of DVD extras including a private guitar lesson with Billy, this 3.5 hour DVD set will be worth the wait. Order your's today!
Fingerdance Inspires Short Story
Mark LaFlamme is a reporter and author from Lewiston, Maine who describes his latest short story inspired by Fingerdance: "Fingerdance is the tale of one man's love of late sleeping and his reaction to a powerfully catchy tune. I wrote it because I sleep like the dead myself. I occasionally wonder if I will rest so comfortably when that sleep is eternal or if some fool will come along and awaken me from the everlasting snooze." More info including a reading by the author is available at www.marklaflamme.com
Billy in Acoustic Guitar Magazine - March 2008
Billy's first national press regarding his remarkable comeback. The full article is available on Acoustic Guitar Magazine's website.
Dystonia News – The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation has just named Billy the first ever Dystonia Ambassabor for Dystonia Awareness.A formal announcement to the press is expected from DMRF this fall. For more information on dystonia, visit the Dystonia Foundation website.
"JL" Rocks out to Bow and Arrow
Thanks to Billy-fan Davin for sharing his youngster John's Jam Session with Billy.
Debut with Quartet on BabyBlueArts
One of the nation's best cable access arts program is produced by the good folks at BabyBlueArts. This all-volunteer staff celebrates Minnesota musicians by filming live in-studio performances to be shown on regional community TV stations. Billy and his Eclectric String Quartet are the most recent to be added to their 24/7 video stream at babybluearts.com We're excited about this premiere of this more compact version of Billy's work with guitar and strings - check it out!!! More on the Eclectric Quartet coming soon!
2010 Public Leadership Award
AAN Conference Toronto - April 2010
What does Billy have in common with Paul Allen, Julie Andrews, Michael J. Fox, Janet Reno and Cuba Gooding Jr? All are recipients of the American Academy of Neurology's Public Leadership Award. Billy will receive the award in Toronto on April 14th, 2010.
"I'm really humbled by this honor and to be in the company of such past winners." — Billy
The AAN will donate $5000 in Billy's name to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.
PBS Breakthrough of 2009
Carries into 2010
Minneapolis St Paul PBS station TPT2 teamed up with Billy for their 2009 December pledge-drive.
Performing Live immediately following President Barak Obama's Nationally televised Speach, Billy enjoyed two hours of live in-studio segments interspurced throughout the broadcast of Changing Keys. The hot membership premium? Billy's $100 per ticket "In-studio House Concert" scheduled for April 2010 at TPT2 Sound Stage. Look for Billy in several PBS markets around the country in 2010.
Fox 9 News Segment about Billy
Billy on KARE 11
Those of you who missed or want a second look at the KARE 11 Extra segment which aired a couple months ago, Here's the clip.
Billy on KSTP 5
Billy was on KSTP June 4th. To read the story and see the clip. click here.
China Wants Billy!
Billy just finished a lengthy interview for FingerStyleChina and was surprised at how knowledgeable the Chinese audience is about his music. Click here to see the interview with FingerStyleChina.
"I would love to play in China in 2008 — Thank you FingerStyleChina!
Photos from Spring Orchestra Shows
"Here are a few photos from my recent show with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra at the Schwan's Auditorium in Marshall, MN on March 30th. I feel very fortunate and proud to perform with this great group of musicians. You should check them out! For more info and a calendar of their performances, visit: www.msoa.net All Photos ©2008 Amy Hertle.
