Deborah: Deborah Hunnicutt from WFMS hanging out with Billy Gilman.  We're at the Lilly Theatre at the Children's Museum.  It's good to see you Billy.

Billy: Good to see you.

Deborah: You've lightened your hair since the last time we saw you.

Billy: Really?

Deborah: Yes, we had you back in April at one of our station events, Country Music Expo.

Billy: That's right. I had a blast there.

Deborah: Let's talk about how this all got started with you. When you first started touring you were 11?

Billy: I was, the first time I ever toured, yes, you're right when I was 11, with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel.

Deborah: That had to be an awkward adjustment.  One minute, you're just an average kid, the next day, you're Billy Gilman on a tour bus, touring the country as a recording artist.  How did you make the transition?

Billy: Well, It was really easy.  I mean I didn't like the school I went to in the first place. So, that was a good thing to happen.  And, but it was really, really astonishing to be able to say that I went to regular school, but yet I was singing for thousands of people.  I got to go all over the world, so it's pretty amazing.

Deborah: Now, speaking of school, you're doing private tutoring?

Billy: Yes, that's right.

Deborah: Is that going well?

Billy: Yah.  As every kid, I hate it.

Deborah: Never at one time do you say, I'm doing it.  I've got a platinum and gold album.

Billy: Never, because like, all my family and all my management team say school's important you gotta get there.  Even when I'm sick, is he going to school?  Even for a couple of hours?  and I'm like, yah, I'm going to school.

Deborah:  You're going to be performing for us tonight, and I'm sure signing some autographs.

Billy: Yep.

Deborah: Over the last several years, you've probably signed thousands of autographs, but in this industry one of the perks is seeing and meeting celebrities yourself, some that aren't even in the industry.

Billy: Right.

Deborah: Do you ever ask for autographs?

Billy: Absolutely, like the time I went up to Pam Tillis and asked for her autograph.  She threatened to spank me, but...

Deborah:  Who's someone who's made a lasting impression on you?

Billy: I get star struck really good, really easy.  If there's like 'NSync's sitting there and Britney's sitting there - I'm like 'Oh my God!'

Deborah: Those are two of your favorites?

Billy: Yah, because I'm growing up listening to them.  And so, the one that made a lasting impression on me that I would have to say was Britney, because she gave me a hug, and I dang-near fainted.

Deborah: I also heard about Michael Jackson?  Did you recently meet with Michael?

Billy: Well, I performed on his show and it was just a brief thing, 'Hi, it's good to meet you.' and he said 'thank you for coming on to my show,' and then I had to go on stage, so it was quick.

Deborah: Is he backstage what we see onstage?

Billy: Yes, well, he was sitting in his seat.  I passed by him.  Cause I was sitting a couple rows up from him.

Deborah: Pretty quick meeting.

Billy: Yah.

Deborah: Now, since September 11th and all the tragedies that have happened - where were you when it happened first of all?

Billy:  I was actually in New York City.  I was a couple - I don't know where I was, I was in a hotel and we were at the top floor, so we could see all the smoke and stuff.  And we had no idea what was going on until we turned on the TV.

Deborah: It had to be scary.

Billy: It was frightening. I mean, we rushed out of the city as fast as we could and we got stuck on a bridge because they thought there was a bomb on it.  And so we got stuck on the bridge for five hours.  So we left at eleven, and we didn't get home until nine o'clock that night, so but it was good to be home with my family and be close to them. Because at a time like that you need to be close to your family.

Deborah: A lot of the artists are doing tribute songs, in light of what happened.  Have you been involved in anything like that?

Billy: Well, I'm doing the Michael Jackson thing among all of the great artists - his new song and all the funds are going to the September 11th Fund.  And the song is called What More Can I Give.  And it's a great song, it's a really meaningful song.

Deborah: Well, you've got a busy schedule.  So in down time, just Billy time, what do you do when you just want to be yourself.

Billy: Number one, beat up my brother. No, just kidding.

Deborah: Older, younger?

Billy: Younger, that's why I can.

Deborah: Gotta be nice to him.

Billy: But he can hit me sometimes.  But just, be a regular kid.

Deborah: Do you like to roller blade?

Billy: Yah, roller blade, skate board, ride my bike, you know.

Deborah: A lot of kids get on the internet - do you have a favorite website?

Billy: E-Bay.

Deborah: E-Bay?

Billy: I don't buy anything, I just like to look at what they've got on there.

Deborah: Just like to scan it?

Billy: Yes, just like to see what they've got.

Deborah: Now, you mentioned your younger brother, what does he think about his big brother being a big star?

Billy: Well, he thinks it's OK. I mean, he's only 9 - so it hasn't really sinken in to him yet.  I think he thinks it's pretty cool.  But he'd never want to follow in my footsteps, he hates to sing.

Deborah: What about some of his friends, have they asked him to get an autograph from you?

Billy: No, and that's the cool part, they're not bugging him as "Billy's brother."  He has his own identity.  I't Colin, it's not oh, there's Billy's brother.

Deborah: That's nice.

Billy: Yah, it's really nice.

Deborah: When you go out, are you noticed?  Do you get bugged or are you able to be just with your family?

Billy: Well, I do but, I'm a people person.  So, I like to talk to people, so it really doesn't bother me.  It's fun.

Deborah: So, the more, the better?

Billy: The more, the better.

Deborah: Now, I'll probably get in trouble if I don't ask this.  We've got a lot of female fans that love listen to you.

Billy: Number one question that I always get asked.

Deborah: Girlfriend?

Billy: No, not yet.  But you know, I'm getting to that age you know, I'm getting older.  But it's just so hard to balance that life out.  You know, girlfriend.  I mean, my Mom's already about to kill me cause the cell phone bill's so high, just talking to them.  But maybe in the future.

Deborah: It's good to see you.

Billy: Good to see you.