Debut with Quartet on BabyBlueArts

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One of the nation’s best cable access arts program is produced by the good folks at BabyBlueArts. This all-volunteer staff celebrates Minnesota musicians by filming live in-studio performances to be shown on regional community TV stations. Billy and his Eclectric String Quartet are the most recent to be added to their 24/7 video stream at babybluearts.com We’re excited about this premiere of this more compact version of Billy’s work with guitar and strings – check it out!!! More on the Eclectric Quartet coming soon!

Public Leadership Award

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What does Billy have in common with Paul Allen, Julie Andrews, Michael J. Fox, Janet Reno and Cuba Gooding Jr?  All are recipients of the American Academy of Neurology’s Public Leadership Award. Billy will receive the award in Toronto on April 14th, 2010.
“I’m really humbled by this honor and to be in the company of such past winners.” — Billy
The AAN donated $5000 in Billy’s name to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.

Fingerdance Inspires Short Story

Mark LaFlamme is a reporter and author from Lewiston, Maine who describes his latest short story inspired by Fingerdance: “Fingerdance is the tale of one man’s love of late sleeping and his reaction to a powerfully catchy tune. I wrote it because I sleep like the dead myself. I occasionally wonder if I will rest so comfortably when that sleep is eternal or if some fool will come along and awaken me from the everlasting snooze.”

Article in the Star Tribune

Chris Riemenschneider’s article about the World Premiers at the Parkway Theater appeared recently in the Minneapolis Star Tribune March 20, 2009. Visit here to read the article.

Billy Hosts PBS Pledge Drive

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Minneapolis St Paul PBS station TPT2 teamed up with Billy for their 2009 December pledge-drive. Performing Live immediately following President Barak Obama’s Nationally televised Speech, Billy enjoyed two hours of live in-studio segments interspurced throughout the broadcast of Changing Keys. The hot membership premium? Billy’s $100 per ticket “In-studio House Concert” scheduled for April 2010 at TPT2 Sound Stage. Look for Billy in several PBS markets around the country in 2010.

Changing Keys Wins at Film Festival!

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Congratulations to Suzanne Jurva and the entire Changing Keys production team for winning top honors, a Platinum Remi Award, at this year’s 2009 Houston International Film Festival. Changing Keys earned this prestigious award from over 4,300 films submitted to this year’s competition.

Billy with the UMD Chamber Orchestra

In Weber Hall at UMD.

Billy with the Mobile Orchestra

Billy in Mobile AL with the Mobile Orchestra.
 

JL Rocks out to Bow and Arrow

 
Thanks to Billy-fan Davin for sharing his youngster John’s Jam Session with Billy.
 

Interview with Minnesota Public Radio

Interview with Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Public Radio

On March 7th, Minnesota Public Radio’s Steven John welcomed Billy back; they last spoke on the air when Billy was diagnosed with dystonia. This ten-minute interview includes Billy playing live and explaining the effects of dystonia and what it was like adapting to playing left-handed.  To read Steven John’s article, click here.