Billy Gilman: He's Hot, He's Happening, He's 12

By Brian Mansfield
CDNOW Senior Editor, Country

After Sony Nashville signed Billy Gilman to Epic Records, the label was rumored to have cut three entire albums on the 12-year-old singer just to have music on hand when his voice changes. That isn't the case, but the quickness with which the rumor spread through Nashville goes to show the high regard in which the preteen's pipes are held.

Gilman, a Rhode Island native who began singing along to Pam Tillis tunes when he was 3, has one of country music's more unusual hits of the year -- "One Voice," a plaintive ballad about the problems of modern society as viewed through an innocent's eyes. Within a month of its release, the debut from country's boy soprano was already a top 40 hit.

"We moved it to our highest, fastest rotation within two weeks," says Rick Everett, program director at WCTK in Providence, R.I., who's been aware of Gilman's talents for two years. "It really is a whirlwind in this market to see him take off so fast."

Gilman came to Nashville's attention via former Roomful of Blues saxophonist Greg Piccolo and Asleep at the Wheel bandleader Ray Benson. "We did a demo with [Benson] at his studio, to send to all the record labels," Gilman says.

He's since had a rapid-fire succession of career highlights. He performed during several stops on the George Strait Country Music Festival and sang on the Academy of Country Music awards show in May. He got a standing ovation at Fan Fair and made his Grand Ole Opry debut in June. He's also set to start recording a Christmas album. Ask him about the best thing so far, and he tosses off a non-exclusive answer like a seasoned veteran -- "probably singing and meeting all the wonderful people."

Gilman's album, also titled One Voice, contains several tracks co-written by at least one of the project's three producers, as well as remakes of hits by Bobby Goldsboro ("Little Things"), Thurston Harris ("Little Bitty Pretty One"), Michael Murphey ("What's Forever For"), and Tammy Wynette ("Till I Can Make It on My Own").

"I love to listen to all types of music," Gilman says, "but, for country artists, I like LeAnn Rimes. You know, she's great. Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, Chely Wright, Chad Brock, Lonestar -- all the new."

"I love to listen to all types of music, but, for country artists, I like LeAnn Rimes. You know, she's great."

Sony Nashville head Allen Butler initially didn't like the idea of signing such a young artist. "Being a parent myself, I naturally had concerns about putting somebody into that kind of work position," Butler says. "I did a lot of soul searching and even said a couple of prayers. But I finally got to the point, and it was Billy who was the determining factor.

"It's like his calling, if you would. Sometimes kids are called to do something from early on. It's his calling to be a singer. Fortunately for us, he only wants to be a country singer. This kid doesn't even want to grow up to be a pop star."

Angela Bacari, Gilman's vocal coach for nearly three years and his personal manager, says, "I don't know what's going to happen to Billy" once his voice starts to change. "I just know he's properly trained, and we're not going to make him go out and sing live when there's no surety with what's going to happen to his voice. We'll just lay off it for a while, until he makes that transition.

"That rumor is probably what we should do -- have one in the can to carry us through."

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