Billy Burnette
Encyclopedia
William Beau "Billy" Burnette III (born May 8, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee
) is an American
guitarist, singer and songwriter who was part of the band Fleetwood Mac
from 1987 to 1995. Burnette also had a brief career in acting.
and Alberta Burnette, Billy was born into a musical family. His father and his uncle Johnny Burnette
were two of the members of the 1950s band The Rock and Roll Trio
, which also included Paul Burlison
. It is written that Billy performed on occasion with the Trio around the age of three. Johnny had a son named Rocky
, born around the time as Billy, who also became a musician. Billy has two sons. Beau Crunkles, his youngest, lives in Nashville, TN and works at a 1920s pizza party.
who had Burnette-penned hit songs with "Believe What You Say" and "It's Late". At the age of seven, Billy, under the name Billy Beau, made his record debut recording the Christmas song "Hey Daddy (I'm Gonna Tell Santa On You)" for Dot Records
. The song was recorded with James Burton
and Ricky Nelson's band. At age 11, Billy recorded his first album for A&M Records
. Two years later, Billy went on tour with Brenda Lee
while teaching himself to play guitar in the meantime. Like countless other guitarists, Billy learned to play by listening to others rather than taking lessons.
Immediately after graduating from high school in 1969, Billy's father took him to Memphis to meet famed record producer Chips Moman
, who had just finished recording Elvis' "Suspicious Minds
" and "In The Ghetto
". According to Billy, "When you went to work with Chips, you were a writer, you were a session musician, and you learned about the studio." Billy went with Moman to Atlanta before going to Nashville
in 1971 and collaborating with Larry Henley
whose credits include "Wind Beneath My Wings". "That's when I really started concentrating on songwriting." Billy once said. In addition to songwriting, Billy spent three years on the road as Roger Miller
's rhythm guitarist.
in 1979, recording a second self-titled album. Once again, Billy's songwriting prowess showed as nine of the ten songs were written or co-written by himself while he covered "Believe What You Say". Later that year, the album Between Friends was released. The title track "What's A Little Love Between Friends" peaked at #76 on the Billboard US Country Top 100 Singles spending five weeks on the charts. Nine of the ten songs from the album were Burnette-penned tunes, excluding the Otis Redding
classic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
".
Billy signed with Columbia Records
in 1980, releasing his third eponymous album. He was able to get on the Billboard
US Hot 100 Singles with "Don't Say No", which peaked at #68 and spent five weeks on the charts. Eight of the eleven songs from the 1980 release were written by Billy, while two of the songs he covered, "Honey Hush
" and "Tear It Up" were performed by his dad and uncle and "One Night
" was a cover of an Elvis song. Billy also recorded music videos for "Don't Say No" and "In Just A Heartbeat".
of Fleetwood Mac
fame during the shooting of a Dick Clark Anniversary Special. A few months later, Fleetwood invited Billy to join his new band, The Zoo, which released an album on RCA in 1983, I'm Not Me. Of the eleven songs on I'm Not Me, Billy sang lead vocals on three, The Beach Boys
' cover, "Angel Come Home", a cover of his own song from Gimme You, "I'm Not Me" and a cover of his father and uncle's song "Tear It Up".
His connections with Fleetwood led Billy to connections with other members of Fleetwood Mac. Burnette, performing with The Zoo backed Lindsey Buckingham
during a 1982 Saturday Night Live
performance (The Zoo's debut as a band). In 1984, Billy co-wrote the song "So Excited" with Christine McVie
which was used on her solo album that year. He also appeared on McVie's live MTV
taping "Christine McVie The Video Album". Billy then sang with Stevie Nicks
on the song "Are You Mine", which was meant for her Rock a Little album, but the song did not make the final cut. In 1985, Eddy Raven
("She's Gonna Win Your Heart") and Ray Charles
("Do I Ever Cross Your Mind") both charted with Billy Burnette songs. Other artists who have sung Burnette-penned songs include Jerry Lee Lewis
, The Everly Brothers, Gregg Allman
, Loretta Lynn
, Charlie Pride, Tanya Tucker
and Ringo Starr
.
Billy signed with Curb Records
and released his sixth album in 1985, Try Me. The album featured both Fleetwood and McVie in several of the album's ten songs. The title track peaked at #68 and remained on the charts for nine weeks, while another track from the album, "Ain't It Just Like Love" went to #51 and was on the charts for eight weeks. In 1986, Billy released another album, Soldier Of Love. The title track peaked at #54 and remained on the charts for seven weeks. For his efforts, Billy was nominated for Best New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music
along with Randy Travis
, Marty Stuart
, T. Graham Brown
, and Keith Whitley
. However, the award was presented to Randy Travis. In 1987 he wrote "All I Can Do Is Dream You" for Roy Orbison
.
When Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac parted ways in 1987, Billy along with his friend, guitarist Rick Vito
, were asked to join the legendary band. The decision to join Fleetwood Mac was not easy for Billy, "When I got the call from Mick Fleetwood, things couldn't be going better for me. I had just been nominated for the ACM Award. MCA
/Curb
, my label at the time, was behind me, and they didn't want to let me go. I was in the studio, working with Roy Orbison
on his last album, Mystery Girl. I thought about it for a while. But I was faced with the prospect of a world tour with Fleetwood Mac, as opposed to going back into the trenches with club work on my solo career. Of course, I wasn't going to turn down the Fleetwood Mac tour. It was huge. Tango In The Night was out. After I went out on the road with them, I think they sold another eight million records." As far as the tour, "It was an incredible experience. The audience never stopped screaming—never sat down hit after hit—it was amazing!"
After the Shakin' The Cage tour, Fleetwood Mac released the 1988 Greatest Hits album featuring two new songs with Billy and Rick, "As Long as You Follow
" and "No Questions Asked". That same year, Curb released its final Billy Burnette album, Brother To Brother, which was essentially a greatest hits package with the title song added, which was featured in the film Gleaming the Cube
.
Fleetwood Mac released their first Burnette/Vito studio release in 1990, Behind The Mask. Billy co-wrote several songs including "In The Back Of My Mind", "Do You Know" with Christine McVie, and "When The Sun Goes Down" with Vito. "Hard Feelings" and "When It Comes To Love" were written by Billy as well. The tour in support of the album took the band all over the world for nine months.
's debut album Gypsy Moon. In 1992, Billy signed with Capricorn Records
to release his eighth solo album Coming Home. Although the song was not on the Coming Home album, Billy made the Billboard US Country Top 100 Singles again with "Nothin' To Do (And All Night To Do It)". The single peaked at #64 and spent six weeks on the charts. At the same time, he helped John McVie
with his first solo album, John McVie's "Gotta Band" with Lola Thomas.
Many of the songs from Coming Home were featured in Billy's acting debut, the film Saturday Night Special co-starring Maria Ford
. Between 1994 and 1998, Billy appeared in several films including Not Like Us, Carnosaur 3: Primal Species, Casper Meets Wendy
, Addams Family Reunion
and Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
.
In 1994, Billy got back together with Fleetwood Mac. This time around, the band featured two new members, long-time friend, vocalist Bekka Bramlett
and guitarist Dave Mason
of Traffic
fame. The band toured in support of the album Time which was released in 1995. Billy wrote "Talkin' To My Heart" and "I Got It In For You" with Deborah Allen
. Together with Bekka he wrote "Dreamin' The Dream". The early tour proved to be a disastrous marketing decision and severely hindered album and ticket sales. In late 1995, Fleetwood Mac went on hiatus. Billy and Bekka decided to venture out on their own as a country duo. According to Billy, "Had it not been for Fleetwood Mac, this duo never would have happened."
When Bekka moved together with Billy to Nashville, they got the attention of famous country music producer Garth Fundis
. Garth decided that he wanted to make a record with the new duo. Bekka & Billy
signed a contract with Almo Sounds
and in April 1997 they released their debut album, Bekka And Billy. "Garth has let us make the record we wanted to make. We're really lucky in that aspect." Billy said of the album. Bekka And Billy contained twelve songs, all written by Billy or Bekka with the exception of "God Knows I Love You" which was written by Bekka's father, Delaney Bramlett
. In early 1998, the duo decided to go their separate ways. The exact reason for the parting remains a mystery, however both Billy and Bekka remain good friends to this day.
In 1999, Billy signed with Grand Avenue Records and released All Night Long. All eleven songs on this album were written by Billy. The next year, Billy released All Night Long, a rockabilly album through and through. Released on the Free Falls Entertainment label, the album had twelve Billy Burnette originals and one cover, "Believe What You Say". Between 2001 and 2005, Billy stayed busy, covering Steve Earle
's song "Copperhead Road" for the Steel Cowboys Biker’s Choice Vol. 1 album. Billy also recorded Johnny Cash
's "Ring Of Fire
" for Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
. Billy joined Bob Dylan
's backup band and toured with him for a short time. In 2005, Billy joined John Fogerty
as a supporting member of his band playing rhythm guitar.
label, the album was recorded in St. Peter's Church in New York City. According to an interview by Chris Neal of Country Weekly
magazine, "We did it right on the altar. It was wild. The crucifix is right there, and we're playing rock 'n' roll in a church. But you need all the help you can get when you're doing a live album." Unlike his previous releases of the past, Memphis In Manhattan featured more cover songs than Billy Burnette originals. Of the eleven tracks, five were co-written by Billy. Among the covers are Bob Dylan's "Everything Is Broken", Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well", Elvis' "Big Hunk Of Love", Ricky Nelson's "It's Late", "Tear It Up" and the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love".
On Thanksgiving
of 2006, Billy performed with Fogerty during halftime of two NFL games in Detroit and Kansas City. Billy also performed with the Mick Fleetwood Band with Rick Vito, George Hawkins, Jr. and of course Mick Fleetwood. In April 2007, it was announced that Billy would be releasing a box set CD and video DVD under Adrenaline Nation Records in June 2007. Adrenaline Nation Television was supposed to broadcast the video DVD concert in June, and have the concert available for download via the Internet, however that did not happen and no news was given as to the future of the box set or the concert.
In September 2007, Billy along with Shawn Camp released a bluegrass
tribute to Elvis Presley. The album features 13 tracks previously recorded by Elvis with Camp and Burnette alternating lead vocals on every other song.
Billy is currently touring with classic swamp rocker John Fogerty
.
With Fleetwood Mac:
Other contributions:
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist, singer and songwriter who was part of the band Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
from 1987 to 1995. Burnette also had a brief career in acting.
Family background
The son of Dorsey BurnetteDorsey Burnette
Dorsey Burnette was an early Rockabilly singer. With his younger brother, Johnny Burnette, and a friend named Paul Burlison, he was a founder member of The Rock and Roll Trio.-Background and early career:Dorsey Burnett was born on December 28, 1932 to Willie May and Dorsey Burnett Sr...
and Alberta Burnette, Billy was born into a musical family. His father and his uncle Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
were two of the members of the 1950s band The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
, which also included Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
. It is written that Billy performed on occasion with the Trio around the age of three. Johnny had a son named Rocky
Rocky Burnette
Rocky Burnette is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll pioneer, Johnny Burnette. He is best known for his 1980 hit single "Tired of Toein' the Line."-Career:...
, born around the time as Billy, who also became a musician. Billy has two sons. Beau Crunkles, his youngest, lives in Nashville, TN and works at a 1920s pizza party.
1960–1971
By the late 1950s, Billy's family moved to Los Angeles where his dad and uncle worked with Ricky NelsonRicky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
who had Burnette-penned hit songs with "Believe What You Say" and "It's Late". At the age of seven, Billy, under the name Billy Beau, made his record debut recording the Christmas song "Hey Daddy (I'm Gonna Tell Santa On You)" for Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
. The song was recorded with James Burton
James Burton
James Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
and Ricky Nelson's band. At age 11, Billy recorded his first album for A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. Two years later, Billy went on tour with Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
while teaching himself to play guitar in the meantime. Like countless other guitarists, Billy learned to play by listening to others rather than taking lessons.
Immediately after graduating from high school in 1969, Billy's father took him to Memphis to meet famed record producer Chips Moman
Chips Moman
Lincoln Wayne "Chips" Moman is an American record producer, guitarist, and songwriter. As a record producer, Moman is known for recording Elvis Presley, Bobby Womack, Carla Thomas, and Merrilee Rush, as well as guiding the career of the Box Tops in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1960s...
, who had just finished recording Elvis' "Suspicious Minds
Suspicious Minds
"Suspicious Minds" is a song written by American songwriter Mark James that, after the failure of his own recording, was handed to Elvis Presley by producer Chips Moman becoming one of his most notable hits and a number one in 1969, "Suspicious Minds" was widely regarded as the single that returned...
" and "In The Ghetto
In the Ghetto
"In the Ghetto" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Elvis Presley Music in 1969. It was written by Mac Davis and made famous by Elvis Presley who had a major comeback hit with the song in 1969. It was released in 1969 as a 45 rpm single with "Any Day Now" as the flip side...
". According to Billy, "When you went to work with Chips, you were a writer, you were a session musician, and you learned about the studio." Billy went with Moman to Atlanta before going to Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in 1971 and collaborating with Larry Henley
Larry Henley
Larry Henley is an American singer and songwriter, born June 30, 1941 in Arp, Texas. He is perhaps best known for co-writing the 1989 hit record, "Wind Beneath My Wings". The single was a U.S...
whose credits include "Wind Beneath My Wings". "That's when I really started concentrating on songwriting." Billy once said. In addition to songwriting, Billy spent three years on the road as Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
's rhythm guitarist.
1972–1981
In 1972, Billy signed with Entrance Records and recorded his first self-titled solo album, featuring 10 songs, all written or co-written by him. In 1976, Billy became a father, Dorsey IV (aka Billy, Jr.) Billy signed with Polydor RecordsPolydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
in 1979, recording a second self-titled album. Once again, Billy's songwriting prowess showed as nine of the ten songs were written or co-written by himself while he covered "Believe What You Say". Later that year, the album Between Friends was released. The title track "What's A Little Love Between Friends" peaked at #76 on the Billboard US Country Top 100 Singles spending five weeks on the charts. Nine of the ten songs from the album were Burnette-penned tunes, excluding the Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
classic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay
" The Dock of the Bay" is a song co-written by soul singer Otis Redding and guitarist Steve Cropper. It was first recorded by Otis Redding in 1967, just days before his death. It was released posthumously on Stax Records' Volt label in 1968, becoming the first posthumous number-one single in U.S...
".
Billy signed with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1980, releasing his third eponymous album. He was able to get on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
US Hot 100 Singles with "Don't Say No", which peaked at #68 and spent five weeks on the charts. Eight of the eleven songs from the 1980 release were written by Billy, while two of the songs he covered, "Honey Hush
Honey Hush
"Honey Hush", written by Big Joe Turner , was recorded in May 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana and released that August by Atlantic Records. It was a number-one song on the U.S...
" and "Tear It Up" were performed by his dad and uncle and "One Night
One Night (song)
"One Night" is a song popularized by Elvis Presley. It was issued as a double A-side with "I Got Stung". The single reached number one twice on the UK Singles Chart. In the U.S., "One Night", reached number four on the pop singles chart and number ten on the R&B chart...
" was a cover of an Elvis song. Billy also recorded music videos for "Don't Say No" and "In Just A Heartbeat".
1981–1990
Billy released his fourth album in three years in 1981 with Gimme You. All ten songs from the album were written or co-written by Billy. Around this time, Billy met Mick FleetwoodMick Fleetwood
Michael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
of Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
fame during the shooting of a Dick Clark Anniversary Special. A few months later, Fleetwood invited Billy to join his new band, The Zoo, which released an album on RCA in 1983, I'm Not Me. Of the eleven songs on I'm Not Me, Billy sang lead vocals on three, The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
' cover, "Angel Come Home", a cover of his own song from Gimme You, "I'm Not Me" and a cover of his father and uncle's song "Tear It Up".
His connections with Fleetwood led Billy to connections with other members of Fleetwood Mac. Burnette, performing with The Zoo backed Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
during a 1982 Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
performance (The Zoo's debut as a band). In 1984, Billy co-wrote the song "So Excited" with Christine McVie
Christine McVie
Christine McVie is an English rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her primary fame came as a member of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, though she has also released three solo albums...
which was used on her solo album that year. He also appeared on McVie's live MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
taping "Christine McVie The Video Album". Billy then sang with Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
on the song "Are You Mine", which was meant for her Rock a Little album, but the song did not make the final cut. In 1985, Eddy Raven
Eddy Raven
Edward Garvin Futch is an American country music artist known professionally as Eddy Raven. Known for his Cajun-influenced country music, Raven has been a recording artist since 1962...
("She's Gonna Win Your Heart") and Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
("Do I Ever Cross Your Mind") both charted with Billy Burnette songs. Other artists who have sung Burnette-penned songs include Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
, The Everly Brothers, Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman
Gregory Lenoir Allman , known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia...
, Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
, Charlie Pride, Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
and Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
.
Billy signed with Curb Records
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
and released his sixth album in 1985, Try Me. The album featured both Fleetwood and McVie in several of the album's ten songs. The title track peaked at #68 and remained on the charts for nine weeks, while another track from the album, "Ain't It Just Like Love" went to #51 and was on the charts for eight weeks. In 1986, Billy released another album, Soldier Of Love. The title track peaked at #54 and remained on the charts for seven weeks. For his efforts, Billy was nominated for Best New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
along with Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
, Marty Stuart
Marty Stuart
John Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
, T. Graham Brown
T. Graham Brown
Anthony "T." Graham Brown is an American country music artist. Active since 1986, Brown has recorded a total of thirteen studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts...
, and Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley
Jackie Keith Whitley , known professionally as Keith Whitley, was an American country music singer. Whitley's brief career in mainstream country music lasted from 1984 until his death in 1989, but he continues to influence an entire generation of singers and songwriters...
. However, the award was presented to Randy Travis. In 1987 he wrote "All I Can Do Is Dream You" for Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
.
When Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac parted ways in 1987, Billy along with his friend, guitarist Rick Vito
Rick Vito
Rick Vito is a guitarist and singer. He was part of the band Fleetwood Mac between 1987 and 1991.Vito and Billy Burnette took over as guitarists after Lindsey Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac....
, were asked to join the legendary band. The decision to join Fleetwood Mac was not easy for Billy, "When I got the call from Mick Fleetwood, things couldn't be going better for me. I had just been nominated for the ACM Award. MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
/Curb
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
, my label at the time, was behind me, and they didn't want to let me go. I was in the studio, working with Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
on his last album, Mystery Girl. I thought about it for a while. But I was faced with the prospect of a world tour with Fleetwood Mac, as opposed to going back into the trenches with club work on my solo career. Of course, I wasn't going to turn down the Fleetwood Mac tour. It was huge. Tango In The Night was out. After I went out on the road with them, I think they sold another eight million records." As far as the tour, "It was an incredible experience. The audience never stopped screaming—never sat down hit after hit—it was amazing!"
After the Shakin' The Cage tour, Fleetwood Mac released the 1988 Greatest Hits album featuring two new songs with Billy and Rick, "As Long as You Follow
As Long as You Follow
"As Long as You Follow" is the title of a song by the rock band Fleetwood Mac. Written by band member Christine McVie and her then-husband Eddy Quintela, the song was one of two new tracks on the band's 1988 greatest hits album and the sleeve for "As Long as You Follow" is identical to "Greatest...
" and "No Questions Asked". That same year, Curb released its final Billy Burnette album, Brother To Brother, which was essentially a greatest hits package with the title song added, which was featured in the film Gleaming the Cube
Gleaming the Cube
Gleaming the Cube is an American movie released in 1989. It featured Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a 16-year-old skateboarder investigating the death of his adopted Vietnamese brother.The Skating Technical Advisor for the film was original Z-Boy, Stacy Peralta...
.
Fleetwood Mac released their first Burnette/Vito studio release in 1990, Behind The Mask. Billy co-wrote several songs including "In The Back Of My Mind", "Do You Know" with Christine McVie, and "When The Sun Goes Down" with Vito. "Hard Feelings" and "When It Comes To Love" were written by Billy as well. The tour in support of the album took the band all over the world for nine months.
1991–2005
Vito and Nicks left Fleetwood Mac at the end of 1991 and Christine McVie decided to take a break from touring. However, Billy continued to be committed to working with the band if and when they decided to call again. Billy worked for a few years as a producer and guitarist, and made a guest appearance together with Rick Vito on Troy NewmanTroy Newman (Australian singer)
Troy Newman was an Australian singer-songwriter and musician who was a member of Perth pop, rock band Boys from 1987 to 1988 and also had a solo career, releasing two albums, Gypsy Moon and It's Like This before he died in March 1997....
's debut album Gypsy Moon. In 1992, Billy signed with Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records
Capricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
to release his eighth solo album Coming Home. Although the song was not on the Coming Home album, Billy made the Billboard US Country Top 100 Singles again with "Nothin' To Do (And All Night To Do It)". The single peaked at #64 and spent six weeks on the charts. At the same time, he helped John McVie
John McVie
John Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
with his first solo album, John McVie's "Gotta Band" with Lola Thomas.
Many of the songs from Coming Home were featured in Billy's acting debut, the film Saturday Night Special co-starring Maria Ford
Maria Ford
- Career :Maria starred in films like The Haunting of Morella , Deathstalker: Match of Titans ; played the part of Dionara, " Ring of Fire" in 1991 along side Don "The Dragon" Wilson, as his girl friend, Necronomicon , Angel of Destruction , played Jo Alwood, Dillinger and Capone , Stripteaser ,The...
. Between 1994 and 1998, Billy appeared in several films including Not Like Us, Carnosaur 3: Primal Species, Casper Meets Wendy
Casper Meets Wendy
Casper Meets Wendy is a direct-to-video and second spin-off to the 1995 film Casper. It was released by 20th Century Fox in 1998. The film is a sequel to Casper: A Spirited Beginning...
, Addams Family Reunion
Addams Family Reunion
Addams Family Reunion is a film released straight-to-video in 1998. It was also distributed to television by Fox Family. It is unrelated to the two Paramount films from 1991 and 1993. So far, the film is only available on VHS and has not had a DVD release. It was shot in Los Angeles, California...
and Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
Richie Rich'$ Christmas Wish is a 1998 direct-to-video sequel to the 1994 film Ri¢hie Ri¢h, released by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, Harvey Home Entertainment and Saban Entertainment and starring David Gallagher as the titular character.-Plot:It is Christmas Eve and Richie Rich, the world's...
.
In 1994, Billy got back together with Fleetwood Mac. This time around, the band featured two new members, long-time friend, vocalist Bekka Bramlett
Bekka Bramlett
Rebekka Ruth Lazone "Bekka" Bramlett is a singer from the United States. She is the daughter of popular music duo Delaney and Bonnie....
and guitarist Dave Mason
Dave Mason
David Thomas "Dave" Mason is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic...
of Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
fame. The band toured in support of the album Time which was released in 1995. Billy wrote "Talkin' To My Heart" and "I Got It In For You" with Deborah Allen
Deborah Allen
Deborah Allen is an American country music singer. Since 1976, Allen has issued 12 albums and charted 14 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, most notably the 1983 crossover hit "Baby I Lied" which reached #4 on the country charts and #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. Allen has also...
. Together with Bekka he wrote "Dreamin' The Dream". The early tour proved to be a disastrous marketing decision and severely hindered album and ticket sales. In late 1995, Fleetwood Mac went on hiatus. Billy and Bekka decided to venture out on their own as a country duo. According to Billy, "Had it not been for Fleetwood Mac, this duo never would have happened."
When Bekka moved together with Billy to Nashville, they got the attention of famous country music producer Garth Fundis
Garth Fundis
Garth Fundis is an American country music record producer. Active since the 1970s, Fundis has produced albums for several country artists, including Alabama, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland, and Keith Whitley. Fundis has also served as a judge on the Colgate Country Showdown.-References:...
. Garth decided that he wanted to make a record with the new duo. Bekka & Billy
Bekka & Billy
Bekka & Billy was an American country music duo consisting of singer-songwriters Bekka Bramlett and Billy Burnette, who first worked together as members of Fleetwood Mac. Their eponymous debut album was released by Almo Sounds in April 1997...
signed a contract with Almo Sounds
Almo Sounds
Almo Sounds is a record label which was started in 1994 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss after they sold A&M Records to PolyGram. The intent of the label was to recreate the initial concept of A&M Records as a small, "boutique" label....
and in April 1997 they released their debut album, Bekka And Billy. "Garth has let us make the record we wanted to make. We're really lucky in that aspect." Billy said of the album. Bekka And Billy contained twelve songs, all written by Billy or Bekka with the exception of "God Knows I Love You" which was written by Bekka's father, Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Bramlett's five decade career reached peaks in creativity, performance, and notoriety in partnership with his then wife Bonnie Bramlett, in a revolving troupe of professional musicians and Rock superstars dubbed Delaney...
. In early 1998, the duo decided to go their separate ways. The exact reason for the parting remains a mystery, however both Billy and Bekka remain good friends to this day.
In 1999, Billy signed with Grand Avenue Records and released All Night Long. All eleven songs on this album were written by Billy. The next year, Billy released All Night Long, a rockabilly album through and through. Released on the Free Falls Entertainment label, the album had twelve Billy Burnette originals and one cover, "Believe What You Say". Between 2001 and 2005, Billy stayed busy, covering Steve Earle
Steve Earle
Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....
's song "Copperhead Road" for the Steel Cowboys Biker’s Choice Vol. 1 album. Billy also recorded Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's "Ring Of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
" for Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash is, as the title suggests, a tribute album to country singer Johnny Cash, released on the Dualtone label on September 17, 2002...
. Billy joined Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's backup band and toured with him for a short time. In 2005, Billy joined John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
as a supporting member of his band playing rhythm guitar.
2006–
After several years hiatus from making his own albums, Billy released a live album February 28, 2006 titled Memphis In Manhattan. Released under the Chesky RecordsChesky Records
Chesky Records is a record label aimed primarily at audiophiles. For the most part, jazz, Latin jazz, classical, and adult contemporary CDs and DVDs are produced, but they also manufacture high end audio equipment. The label was founded and is run by grammy nominated composer David Chesky and his...
label, the album was recorded in St. Peter's Church in New York City. According to an interview by Chris Neal of Country Weekly
Country Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
magazine, "We did it right on the altar. It was wild. The crucifix is right there, and we're playing rock 'n' roll in a church. But you need all the help you can get when you're doing a live album." Unlike his previous releases of the past, Memphis In Manhattan featured more cover songs than Billy Burnette originals. Of the eleven tracks, five were co-written by Billy. Among the covers are Bob Dylan's "Everything Is Broken", Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well", Elvis' "Big Hunk Of Love", Ricky Nelson's "It's Late", "Tear It Up" and the Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love".
On Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
of 2006, Billy performed with Fogerty during halftime of two NFL games in Detroit and Kansas City. Billy also performed with the Mick Fleetwood Band with Rick Vito, George Hawkins, Jr. and of course Mick Fleetwood. In April 2007, it was announced that Billy would be releasing a box set CD and video DVD under Adrenaline Nation Records in June 2007. Adrenaline Nation Television was supposed to broadcast the video DVD concert in June, and have the concert available for download via the Internet, however that did not happen and no news was given as to the future of the box set or the concert.
In September 2007, Billy along with Shawn Camp released a bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
tribute to Elvis Presley. The album features 13 tracks previously recorded by Elvis with Camp and Burnette alternating lead vocals on every other song.
Billy is currently touring with classic swamp rocker John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
.
Albums
- Billy Burnette – Entrance Records (1972)
- Billy Burnette – Polydor Records (1979)
- Between Friends – Polydor Records (1980)
- Billy Burnette – Columbia Records (1980)
- Gimme You – Columbia Records (1981)
- Try Me – Curb Records (1985)
- Soldier Of Love – Curb Records (1986)
- Brother To Brother – Curb Records (1988)
- Coming Home – Capricorn Records (1993)
- Bekka & Billy – Almo Sounds (1997) (with Bekka BramlettBekka BramlettRebekka Ruth Lazone "Bekka" Bramlett is a singer from the United States. She is the daughter of popular music duo Delaney and Bonnie....
) - All Night Long – Grand Avenue Records (1999)
- Are You With Me Baby – Free Falls Entertainment (2000)
- Memphis In Manhattan – Chesky Records (2006)
- The Bluegrass Elvises, Volume 1 – American Roots (2007) (with Shawn Camp)
With Fleetwood Mac:
- Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (1988 Fleetwood Mac album)Greatest Hits is a 1988 compilation album by British-American band Fleetwood Mac. It covers the period of the band's greatest commercial success, from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s....
– WEA/Warner Brothers (1988) - Behind The MaskBehind the Mask (album)Behind the Mask is the 15th studio album by British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1990. It was the first album released by the band after the departure of guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. He was replaced by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito, both guitar players, singers and songwriters....
– WEA/Warner Brothers (1990) - 25 Years: The Chain – Warner Brothers (1992)
- TimeTime (Fleetwood Mac album)Time is the 16th studio album by British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1995. This album featured a unique line-up for the band featuring the addition of former Traffic guitarist Dave Mason and country vocalist Bekka Bramlett, daughter of Delaney and Bonnie, to the line-up...
– WEA/Warner Brothers (1994) - The Very Best of Fleetwood MacThe Very Best of Fleetwood MacThe Very Best of Fleetwood Mac is an enhanced compilation album released by rock band Fleetwood Mac in 2002 to promote their then-upcoming album Say You Will . It was released as a double album in the USA, and as a single disc in the United Kingdom. It debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart at...
– Reprise Records (2002)
Other contributions:
- Mick Fleetwood's Zoo – I'm Not Me – RCA (1984)
- Just One of the GuysJust One of the GuysJust One of the Guys is a 1985 comedy film, directed by Lisa Gottlieb. The film is marketed with the tagline "Terri Griffith is about to go where no woman has gone before." This movie ranked number 48 on Entertainment Weeklys list of the "50 Best High School Movies".-Plot:Terry Griffith is an...
Soundtrack – Elektra (1985) - Summer SchoolSummer School (film)Summer School is a 1987 film directed by Carl Reiner about the travails of a high school gym teacher who is forced to teach a remedial English class for a bunch of maladjusted goof-off students. It stars Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, and Courtney Thorne-Smith. The original music score was composed by...
Soundtrack – Chrysalis (1986) - Homer And Eddie Soundtrack – Apache (1989)
- John McVie's "Gotta Band" with Lola ThomasJohn McVie's "Gotta Band" with Lola ThomasJohn McVie's "Gotta Band" with Lola Thomas is the only solo album to date by the British Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, released in 1992...
– Warner Bros. (1992) - Steel Cowboys Bikers' Choice, Vol. 1 – Intersound (1999)
- Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny CashDressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny CashDressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash is, as the title suggests, a tribute album to country singer Johnny Cash, released on the Dualtone label on September 17, 2002...
– Dualtone (2002) - Christine McVieChristine McVieChristine McVie is an English rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her primary fame came as a member of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, though she has also released three solo albums...
– In The MeantimeIn the Meantime (album)-Personnel:*Christine McVie - vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer*Dan Perfect - guitar, programming, backing vocals*George Hawkins - bass guitar, backing vocals*Steve Ferrone - drums*Lenny Castro - percussion*Luis Conte - percussion...
– KOCH (2004)
Singles
- "What's A Little Love Between Friends" US C&W # 76, (1979)
- "Don't Say No" US Hot 100 # 68, (1980)
- "Ain't It Just Like Love" US C&W # 51, (1985)
- "Try Me" US C&W # 68, (1986)
- "Soldier Of Love" US C&W # 54, (1986)
- "Nothin' To Do (And All Night To Do It)" US C&W # 64, (1992)
Music videos
- "Don't Say No" (1980)
- "In Just A Heartbeat" (1980)
- "As Long As You Follow" (with Fleetwood Mac) (1988)
- "In The Back Of My Mind" (with Fleetwood Mac) (1990)
- "Save Me" (with Fleetwood Mac) (1990)
- "Skies The Limit" (with Fleetwood Mac) (1990)
- "Love Shines" (with Fleetwood Mac) (1992)
- "Nothin' To Do (And All Night To Do It)" (1992)
- "Tangled Up In Texas" (1993)
- "The Bigger The Love (The Harder The Fall)" (1993)
- "Better Days" (as Bekka And Billy) (1997)
Filmography
- Fleetwood Mac – Tango In The Night (1987) as himself
- Saturday Night Special (1994) as Travis
- Not Like Us (1995) as Jody
- Carnosaur 3: Primal Species (1995) as Furguson
- Casper Meets WendyCasper Meets WendyCasper Meets Wendy is a direct-to-video and second spin-off to the 1995 film Casper. It was released by 20th Century Fox in 1998. The film is a sequel to Casper: A Spirited Beginning...
(1998) as a chef - Addams Family ReunionAddams Family ReunionAddams Family Reunion is a film released straight-to-video in 1998. It was also distributed to television by Fox Family. It is unrelated to the two Paramount films from 1991 and 1993. So far, the film is only available on VHS and has not had a DVD release. It was shot in Los Angeles, California...
(1998) as a ballroom waiter - Richie Rich's Christmas WishRichie Rich's Christmas WishRichie Rich'$ Christmas Wish is a 1998 direct-to-video sequel to the 1994 film Ri¢hie Ri¢h, released by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, Harvey Home Entertainment and Saban Entertainment and starring David Gallagher as the titular character.-Plot:It is Christmas Eve and Richie Rich, the world's...
(1998) as Nigel - John Fogerty – The Long Road Home In Concert (2006) as himself
- John Fogerty – Live At The Royal Albert Hall (2008) as himself