Billy Vera and the Beaters: Contact
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Born May 28, 1944 in Riverside, California, Billy
was named after his father, Bill McCord, who worked as a staff announcer for NBC
in New York, where Billy grew up. His mom, Ann Ryan, was one of the Ray Charles
Singers on record and TV with Perry Como.
Still in his teens, Billy made his first record. One side, “My Heart Cries,” was
popular in the Northeast, while the other side, the self-penned “All My Love,”
saw regional action in Texas and Louisiana.
The first song he ever presented to a publisher, “Mean Old World,” became a
chart hit for Ricky Nelson and, one year later, his “Make Me Belong To You,” was
a summer hit for Atlantic Records star Barbara Lewis.
This entre to Atlantic caused label chief Jerry Wexler to sign Billy. The
resulting single, a duet with Dionne Warwick’s cousin, Judy Clay, was the hit,
“Storybook Children.” The two followed up with “Country Girl-City Man” and
appeared at Harlem’s Apollo Theater to standing ovations.
Billy’s first solo hit was a cover of Bobby Goldsboro’s “With Pen In Hand,”
arranged by the late Arif Mardin and supervised by Wexler. But the late 60s were
changing times and Billy couldn’t find a way to fit in musically.
The 70s were rough, until Dolly Parton cut Billy’s song, “I Really Got The
Feeling,” taking it to #1 on the country charts. This propelled a move to Los
Angeles, where, in 1979, he formed Billy & the Beaters. which soon became the
most talked-about band in town.
In 1981, the band recorded for Alfa Records, the chart hit, “I Can Take Care Of
Myself,” written by Billy. The follow-up, “At This Moment,” scraped the lower
end of the charts, as Alfa’s Japanese owners pulled the plug on the label.
Five years later, a phone call from the producer of the sitcom Family Ties
changed everything. They wanted to use “At This Moment” in an episode. The
public responded and the song, now reissued on Rhino, vaulted to #1 nationally.
In the interim, Billy had built a side career in acting, appearing in the cult
film, "Buckaroo Banzai", "Oliver Stone’s The Doors", Blake Edwards’ "Blind
Date", as well as various TV shows like "Alice", "Wise Guy", "Baywatch" and a
recurring role as Duke on "Beverly Hills, 90210".
Billy’s radio show, "Billy Vera’s Rock’n’Roll Party", led to yet another side
career as a voiceover artist. He’s been heard, plugging products like Burger
King, Honda, Toyota, Mercury, Mervin’s and dozens of others.
Billy produced the last four albums of his friend, Lou Rawls, taking the great
singer back to #1 on the jazz charts, reviving his recording career. Their last
collaboration was "Rawls Sings Sinatra", one year prior to Lou’s passing.
Artists who have recorded Billy Vera songs include Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant,
Fats Domino, the Shirelles, Tom Jones, Freda Payne and Little Milton. Etta James
recorded and Jerry Wexler produced, "You've Got Me," a tune Billy did in the
Willie Nelson starring, "Baja Oklahoma".
Television has been good to Billy. He’s sung the theme songs to the hit series "
King Of Queens" and "Empty Nest" and his tunes have been used in many shows. A
recent appearance on the NBC show "Hit Me Baby One More Time" resulted in
renewed interest in Billy Vera and sell-out crowds at his appearances.
Or Contact us regarding Billy Vera and the Beaters at 972-250-1162 or Click
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We would act as your booking agent to have Billy Vera and the Beaters appear
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event planner, entertainment contractor and producer of private and corporate events.
We do not claim or represent ourselves as Billy Vera and the Beaters agent (exclusive), manager or management. We present ourselves as your agent to book Billy Vera and the Beaters or any other talent or celebrity on our roster for private & corporate events.
We concentrate our efforts on serious inquiries of talent buyers. We are unable to answer
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