BILLY'S NEW ALBUM TITLED INsideOUT IS NOW COMPLETED AND STUDIO COPIES ARE BEING SENT TO SELECTED D.J.'S AND PROMOTERS. OUR PRODUCER, KJELL BIRKELAND, IS ELATED AT THE RESPONSE HE AND ROALD ATLE LARSEN, PRESIDENT OF ROCADE RECORDS, ARE RECEIVING. ONE PROMOTER SAID "THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE HEARD IN 20 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS. EVERYONE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE 'HAPPENING.' "
THIS CD IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM. IT IS UNIQUE IN THE SENSE THAT IT COMBINES NORWEGIAN COUNTRY FOLK DANCE MUSIC WITH AMERICAN COUNTRY, ROCK, BLUES, AND EASY LISTENING WITH SUCH A PERSONAL TOUCH THAT IT WRAPS RIGHT AROUND YOU. EACH TIME YOU LISTEN TO IT IT'S LIKE YOU ARE A PART OF A LIVE CONCERT.
BILLY WILL BE DOING CONCERTS IN LARGE VENUES IN NORWAY FROM AUGUST 15TH TO AUGUST 30TH, INCLUDING THE NORDHORDLAND COUNTRY FESTIVAL, ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN EUROPE. BILLY WILL BE BACKED BY THE AWARD WINNING JOKER BAND, WHICH HAS A GREAT COUNTRY ROCK SOUND.
THE FANTASTIC MUSIC ON THIS CD COULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE TALENT AND ARTISTRY OF KJELL BIRKELAND AND ALL THE MUSICIANS WHO WORKED SO TIRELESSLY ON THIS PROJECT. THEY ARE ALL TALENTED PROFESSIONALS AND BILLY IS SO EXCITED TO BE WORKING WITH SUCH A GREAT GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN MUSIC.
THIS IS TRULY A "HAPPENING" FOR NORWAY, EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES AND FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES GOOD MUSIC.
TILL LATER AND GOD BLESS,
ROSE RAMBLER STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS PRODUCTIONS
PS: WE WILL BE PUTTING SAMPLES OF SONGS FROM THE ALBUM ON THIS SITE VERY SOON, SO KEEP TUNED. RR
Thank you to all of the folks who have called, written and emailed Billy asking about the new album release. We have some great news from Norway. Kjell Birkeland, Billy's producer is just about finished with 11 new songs and will begin the first final mix of three, in two weeks. He and Billy spoke over the weekend and Kjell said that he is fine tuning each song, and he hasn't gotten tired of hearing any of the cuts (after at least 300 times). Kjell is one of the great producers in Europe and can compete with any producer in the U.S., so that statement is a real compliment.
Roald Larsen, co-producer and President of Rocade Records is very anxiously waiting for the final product, or as he calls it, "THE HAPPENING". He is all set for Rocade Records to begin heavy promotion all across Europe.
Billy wrote 5 or 6 songs for the new album, depending on which songs Kjell will include on the final mix. The is the first all Norwegian production and we are all very excited about it. Kjell's heart and soul are in this "amazing album" (his words)and he has invested countless hours and an unbelievable talent in the mixing and production. He has included instrumentation from the early 18th century to contemporary music so the sounds and images that are projected are entirely an invention of Kjell's. He is an absolute genius with the music. We thank all of the musicians in Norway and the songwriters in the United States who worked with Billy and Kjell on this album.
In about 4 weeks we hope to have sample tracks on this site from the album, so visit often to catch the clips. We look forward to Kjell's beautiful composition, the great songs and the unique voice of Billy D. Hunter singing with the angels.
Hi folks: The lst Annual Carre Ann Burd Memorial Concert at the Hickory Grove Opry in Califon, New Jersey was a big success. The Chris Val Band from the WDVR Hayride was the backup band for Ann Brown, Tyler Wayne and myself. The Benefit raised over $5000 for The Hunterdon Cancer Center. What a terrific and fun day.
I want to thank the talented pro and Nashville Recording Artist, Ann Brown, for her great show and the duet we did together during my segment. The next day we attended a show at the Grove with Nashville artists which also went well.
We are currently lining up shows in Europe and eagerly awaiting the completion of my next album. Our great producer, Kjell Birkeland at Paradis Studios is putting the final touches on the last few songs for the album.
We will have more news very soon. Until then, my friends, may God bless you all.
Billy's 2006 album will be ready in May and the NEW release will follow in June! Many radio venues are waiting to hear Billy's "most wonderful album to date" as quoted by three dee-jays in Europe who have had a preview of two of the songs being released.
Billy has also completed a tribute song to John Penny and New England Country Music, which he will record along with three others in Norway in August, 2006.
Billy will also appear in England and Denmark this year! Plans are in progress, so as the dates are confirmed, we will post them on the web site!
This June 10th, Billy will appear for the American Cancer Society in concert in Califon, N.J., along with many other artists from the state and special guests from Nashville!
Many thanks to all our friends who stay in touch via mail and phone calls! God Bless you all and "thanks for remembering."
The 2005 summer tour in Norway was a great success. Billy made so many new friends and fans in the Bergen area on the west coast of Norway during the trip that his address book is overflowing.
Billy also has a new Fan Club President, Mrs. Randie Larsen, who will be running the Fan Club in Norway and Europe.
He had 9 scheduled concerts, including a show with Arly Carlsen, one of Norway’s top Country and Western singers and European Country Music Association Award Winner. They put on a wonderful show for the huge crowd that attended the concert. Concerts in Norway are very often held in beautiful old buildings with great architecture and this concert was no exception.
All of the songs for Billy's album were completed during this trip and the buzz is that it is not only a fantastic album, but "It's a Happening." The title and list of songs are being kept under wraps as the Producer, Kjell Birkeland, is now in the mixing stage and refining the music that is already fantastic. Many people that were in the studio, said that this is probably the best Country album in 20 years. Wow! As you can tell, we are really excited about the album and are eagerly anticipating its release.
As always, thanks so much for your support, your cards, letters and emails and your attendance at Billy's concerts.
Love,
Rose Prambler for Roald Alte Larsen and Billy D. Hunter at Rocade Records and Pilgrims and Strangers Productions
After much prodding from fans (not to mention my record label), I've created this web site. I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed your loyalty and support over these many years.
