Billy Block  grew up playing music in Texas during the Cosmic Cowboy era with Billy Joe Shaver, BW Stevenson (When “My Maria” was a hit the first time), Freddy Fender (5 albums w/ producer Huey Meaux), Shake Russell, Dr. Rockit & The Sisters of Mercy, Rancho Bebop and did tons of sessions. In 1985 he moved to LA for ten years and was the house drummer at the World Famous Palomino Club in North Hollywood on the renowned Ronnie Mack Barndance, which is the model for the Billy Block Western Beat Shows.

 

Q: How long have you lived in Nashville and why did you move here ?
A: Jill & I moved here in February of 1995 in a U-Haul trailer pulling a Mazda pick-up  with $200.00. We moved for the quality of life and the music community.

 

Q: The Billy Block Show is known world wide and is one of your major accomplishments. When and why did you start the show ? What are some of the highlights of that show ?
A: Back in 1996 artists like Jim Lauderdale, Lucinda Williams, Buddy & Julie Miller, Jeffrey Steele, Duane Jarvis, Rosie Flores, Dale Watson and many others had relocated to Nashville from LA and Austin. I had known and played drums with them in Los Angeles and Texas and there was nowhere for that group to gather and play together. We created the Western Beat Barndance in February of 1996 as a place for up and coming country and Americana artists to play and create a sense of community. By April of that year we were broadcasting the shows LIVE on Lightning 100 and a scene had begun. Many of the artists we originally championed have gone on to become some of the biggest stars in Nashville.

 

Q: If an act want to be on your show, what is the procedure ?
A: Get me the music. If we like it we’ll make you a part of the family.

 

Q: Your primary focus is to promote and publicize music acts. What other live music events besides the Billy Block Show are you using to accomplish this ?
A: Every Sunday night from 6 to 8pm on 103WKDF from The World Famous Nashville Palace we broadcast  The Billy Block Show & LOCALS ONLY Radio Show. At 8pm we present LOCALS ONLY LIVE featuring 5 of the best unsigned artists played on that weeks radio show. We are also planning on promoting more concerts with unsigned artists along with a Best of Locals Only Tour.

 

Q: How are you utilizing radio to promote and publicize music acts ?
A: We have our weekly Billy Block Show and Locals Only show from 6 to 8pm on 103WKDF. in the first hour from 6 to 7pm on The Billy Block Show we play a wide variety of music featuring the music of acts that play with us on Tuesday nights at Cadillac Ranch. Some of our current favorites are The Steeldrivers, Katie Armiger, the new Jeffrey Steele and Jim Lauderdale. Locals Only from 7 to 8pm is the first and ONLY hour of music on country radio devoted to unsigned local artists. We invite 5 artists each week for to join us at the Nashville Palace for an interview on-the-air and after the radio show at 8pm they perform LIVE on-stage from 8 to 11pm.

 

Q: How are you utilizing the internet to promote and publicize music acts ?
A: Every Tuesday night you can log on to www.billyblock.com and watch the Tuesday night Billy Block Show from Cadillac Ranch on a free webcast. It’s a wonderfl way for fans to connect with the artists they love and discover new talent.

 

Q: What other platforms do you use to promote and publicize music acts ?
A: We publish The Billy Block Show magazine which has a picture and bio of all the artists performing. Many of the artists take out ads in the magazine to promote their shows and current CD releases. Many of the music companies in Nashville recognize the value we offer and advertise with us. 

 

Q: People in Nashville know you mainly as a promoter of live music events and acts. What are some of your other talents in the music business ?
A: I’m glad you asked that. It’s funny, many people still don’t know that I  started as a drummer in the music business. It is still a thrill for me to play live and on sessions. Hit songwriter producer Jon Tiven has included me on some of the most amazing sessions and gigs including 2 Frank Black records (Honeycomb & Fast Man, Raidir Man). That resulted in my touring with Frank Black as his drummer and Tour manager. Jon has also included me on sessions with the Godson of Soul: Ellis Hooks, the late great Little Milton’s last award winning Blues recording and a Tour of Italy that included the Umbria Jazz Festival and Poretta Soul Festival. We also just celebrated the life and music of the late, great Walter Hyatt whose CD Some Unfinished Business is something I had the pleasure of playing on. My most recent and proudest moment is The Block Family Band CD featuring my two talented sons Rocky and Grady and my wife Jill.

 

Q: What do you consider your major accomplishments since moving to Nashville ?
A: Fifteen years of wedded bliss with my wife Jill and raising two beautiful sons, Rocky and Grady.

 

Q: What are some of your major disappointments since moving to Nashville ?
A: Losing Walter Hyatt in the Value-Jet crash and Buck Jones’ senseless killing by a drunk driver last March.   

 

Q: You have a record label. Who is currently signed on your label ? Are you looking for new acts to sign ?
A: Our label has released a number of artists over the years...The Bum Steers, Buck Jones, Walt Wilkins, The Big Happy, Jubal Lee Young, Toni Catlin, Gene Smith, The Raphaels & Jill Block. We currently have a gospel bluegrass group, The Doc Jeffers Band the new Block Family Band CD just released. We are always looking for new talent!

 

Q: You have been instrumental in several acts being signed to a major record deals.  What do you feel were the reasons for these acts being signed ?
A: Because they were talented.

 

Q: What is your general advise to undiscovered acts trying to "make it" ?
A: No fear! Believe in yourself and your ability. Do the work. Don’t expect anyone to do it for you. Go after it with heart and soul. Especially the soul part!

 

Q: What are some of the current projects you are working on ?
A: There is an unbelievable guy named JC Stori who sings country music like Dean Martin. We call his music Town & Country Lounge. His CD will be out in a few weeks. We are doing artist development with a talented young man named Austin Cody. There is also a female artists named Teea Goans who is the best traditional country singer I’ve ever worked with. My partner Thomm Jutz and I will be recording with her soon. We are also working on a new TV project. With the business the way it is I’d like to get back on television to promote artists and music again. I loved doing our show on CMT. There are so many channels and outlets looking for content and the concept for the show is perfect for accomplishing our goals.We’ll probably have a pilot ready by the end of the first quarter.

 

Q: How has the Nashville music scene changed since you first moved here ?
A: Everyone has gotten older.

 

Q: How do you see the internet impacting the music industry ?
A: It has created a level playing field and a niche opportunity for everyone creative to jump in and get after it.

 

Q: What is your worst pet peeve ?
A: No sense of humor.

 

Q: What is your favorite saying ? 
A: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours”

 

Q: What are your hobbies ? 
A: I practice meditation and do yoga every morning at 5am.  I LOVE to read. Golf with friends when there’s time. Playing music with Jill and the boys. Tennis with Rock my father-in-law.

 

Q: What is most important to you in life ?
A: God

 

Q: How can someone contact you who wants to do business with you ?
A: Call me at 615.665.8772 or email me at billy@westernbeat.com