Home
Posted with Billy's permission.
Hi everyone,
Over the last few days of working with Billy and Company in San Francisco, then having a couple of days off before starting the concert series in Oakland on Wednesday... I figured rather rather than reflect and focus this writing on what I actually did and am doing, I would instead share the first of a three part series with you from my privileged, behind the scenes experience of what I came away with (thus far) about Billy the man, the music and those who help him make it.
Billy the man:
Given Billy's constant worldly travels, I'd always figured him to be one engrossed in the music... He is actually but not like I thought. I figured him to be a man in this kind of constant musical haze that sort of left him somewhat detached and a bit distant from those around him... I just figured he had to be to do what he does. I learned very quickly that my perception isn't the case at all.
Billy is very in touch with those he chooses to work for him as not only business associates but friends... If not always that, then at the very least he understands and respects the physical and emotional needs they have as just (as Uncle John puts it) "men with skin." He laughs, he jokes around, he tells stories, music related and not. We would all sit down and have a meal before and sometimes after the show and have a grand ole time ribbing and teasing one another. Family and friends are in and out of his dressing room pretty regularly and there isn't an ounce of apprehension in the air. Billy, has really been looking out for me. When I bought something to eat at a sandwich shop across the street and took to the dressing room, BC shrugged his shoulders and gave me this befuddled look and said: "Why did you do that with all this food here?!" The next time food is available, I'm gonna make him wish he hadn't said that.
The other band members would ask me if I played the drums and I'd make a comment like: "Sometimes", or "I try to." Billy would get a bit irritated with that and would interject with a frown: HE PLAYS THE DRUMS, DON'S A DRUMMER!!! My wife, Audrey had just gotten back from Japan and for Billy she brought back a hopi coat which is kind of like a thin polyester smoking jacket. It as a large colorful embroided dragon on the back. It's pretty cool actually. After greeting Audrey with a kiss, he immediately put it on and wore it the whole time he was in the dressing room. After the show, he put it back on and went out into the Lobby and hung out for a bit talking to family friends and fans. Audrey also brought a decorative plate and some hand painted chopsticks back for Billy's wife, Faina.
He used an in-ear monitoring system and somehow the 1/8 plug on the end of the cord was bent. I offered to take the cord home that night and fix it. I asked Billy if there was any particular time he wanted it back and he said that anytime before the show was fine. Me, over dramatizing the issue continued to press the matter thinking that he wanted well in advance so he could check things out.... He said in a very calm voice: "Don, Don't worry about it, anytime before the show is cool." With everything that's on his plate, there is a very calming effect that he has on himself and those around him.
Btw, the next day I walked into the dressing room and tried to stir up some trouble.. I put my hand over my mouth and said "Oh no! I forgot the cord!" Billy looked at me with a smirk and said: Yeah right, Don. You're a funny guy."
Even on stage, after nearly bringing the house down with a tune, he would pick up the mic and calmly, softly and very matter of factly speak to the audience. After the final show in SF and everyone had gone, Billy and Fiana went into the lounge where each enjoyed a glass of wine. The three of us sat and talked for a bit and I headed out for the 50 mile drive home.
Incidentally, Billy offered me some lessons between shows when he could fit them in. But being a player myself, I truly understand what it's like doing what he does, and I wanted him to enjoy his away time whenever that was possible. I was just grateful of just having the privilege of being there. In any case, this is Billy the man as I have seen him up close and a little personal.
Up next: The music
Don.
Hi everyone,
Over the last few days of working with Billy and Company in San Francisco, then having a couple of days off before starting the concert series in Oakland on Wednesday... I figured rather rather than reflect and focus this writing on what I actually did and am doing, I would instead share the first of a three part series with you from my privileged, behind the scenes experience of what I came away with (thus far) about Billy the man, the music and those who help him make it.
Billy the man:
Given Billy's constant worldly travels, I'd always figured him to be one engrossed in the music... He is actually but not like I thought. I figured him to be a man in this kind of constant musical haze that sort of left him somewhat detached and a bit distant from those around him... I just figured he had to be to do what he does. I learned very quickly that my perception isn't the case at all.
Billy is very in touch with those he chooses to work for him as not only business associates but friends... If not always that, then at the very least he understands and respects the physical and emotional needs they have as just (as Uncle John puts it) "men with skin." He laughs, he jokes around, he tells stories, music related and not. We would all sit down and have a meal before and sometimes after the show and have a grand ole time ribbing and teasing one another. Family and friends are in and out of his dressing room pretty regularly and there isn't an ounce of apprehension in the air. Billy, has really been looking out for me. When I bought something to eat at a sandwich shop across the street and took to the dressing room, BC shrugged his shoulders and gave me this befuddled look and said: "Why did you do that with all this food here?!" The next time food is available, I'm gonna make him wish he hadn't said that.
The other band members would ask me if I played the drums and I'd make a comment like: "Sometimes", or "I try to." Billy would get a bit irritated with that and would interject with a frown: HE PLAYS THE DRUMS, DON'S A DRUMMER!!! My wife, Audrey had just gotten back from Japan and for Billy she brought back a hopi coat which is kind of like a thin polyester smoking jacket. It as a large colorful embroided dragon on the back. It's pretty cool actually. After greeting Audrey with a kiss, he immediately put it on and wore it the whole time he was in the dressing room. After the show, he put it back on and went out into the Lobby and hung out for a bit talking to family friends and fans. Audrey also brought a decorative plate and some hand painted chopsticks back for Billy's wife, Faina.
He used an in-ear monitoring system and somehow the 1/8 plug on the end of the cord was bent. I offered to take the cord home that night and fix it. I asked Billy if there was any particular time he wanted it back and he said that anytime before the show was fine. Me, over dramatizing the issue continued to press the matter thinking that he wanted well in advance so he could check things out.... He said in a very calm voice: "Don, Don't worry about it, anytime before the show is cool." With everything that's on his plate, there is a very calming effect that he has on himself and those around him.
Btw, the next day I walked into the dressing room and tried to stir up some trouble.. I put my hand over my mouth and said "Oh no! I forgot the cord!" Billy looked at me with a smirk and said: Yeah right, Don. You're a funny guy."
Even on stage, after nearly bringing the house down with a tune, he would pick up the mic and calmly, softly and very matter of factly speak to the audience. After the final show in SF and everyone had gone, Billy and Fiana went into the lounge where each enjoyed a glass of wine. The three of us sat and talked for a bit and I headed out for the 50 mile drive home.
Incidentally, Billy offered me some lessons between shows when he could fit them in. But being a player myself, I truly understand what it's like doing what he does, and I wanted him to enjoy his away time whenever that was possible. I was just grateful of just having the privilege of being there. In any case, this is Billy the man as I have seen him up close and a little personal.
Up next: The music
Don.
Can't wait to hear part two-
