Billy Vera

Born May 28, 1944 in Riverside, California, Billy was namedafter his father, Bill McCord, who worked as a staff announcerfor NBC in New York, where Billy grew up. His mom, AnnRyan, was one of the Ray Charles Singers on record and TVwith Perry Como.Still in his teens, Billy made his first record. One side, "MyHeart Cries," was popular in the Northeast, while the otherside, the self-penned "All My Love," saw regional action inTexas and Louisiana.The first song he ever presented to a publisher, "Mean OldWorld," became a chart hit for Ricky Nelson and, one yearlater, his "Make Me Belong To You," was a summer hit forAtlantic Records star Barbara Lewis.This entre to Atlantic caused label chief Jerry Wexler to signBilly. The resulting single, a duet with Dionne Warwick'scousin, Judy Clay, was the hit, "Storybook Children." The twofollowed up with "Country Girl-City Man" and appeared atHarlem's Apollo Theater to standing ovations.Billy's first solo hit was a cover of Bobby Goldsboro's "WithPen In Hand," arranged by the late Arif Mardin and supervisedby Wexler. But the late 60s were changing times and Billycouldn't find a way to fit in musically.The 70s were rough, until Dolly Parton cut Billy's song, "IReally Got The Feeling," taking it to #1 on the country charts.This propelled a move to Los Angeles, where, in 1979, heformed Billy & the Beaters. which soon became the mosttalked-about band in town.In 1981, the band recorded for Alfa Records, the chart hit, "ICan Take Care Of Myself," written by Billy. The follow-up, "AtThis Moment," scraped the lower end of the charts, as Alfa'sJapanese owners pulled the plug on the label.Five years later, a phone call from the producer of the sitcomFamily Ties changed everything. They wanted to use "At ThisMoment" 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, appearingin the cult film, "Buckaroo Banzai", "Oliver Stone's TheDoors", Blake Edwards' "Blind Date", as well as various TVshows like "Alice", "Wise Guy", "Baywatch" and a recurringrole as Duke on "Beverly Hills, 90210".Billy's radio show, "Billy Vera's Rock'n'Roll Party", led to yetanother 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, revivinghis recording career. Their last collaboration was "RawlsSings Sinatra", one year prior to Lou's passing.Artists who have recorded Billy Vera songs include BonnieRaitt, Robert Plant, Fats Domino, the Shirelles, Tom Jones,Freda Payne and Little Milton.

Etta James recorded and JerryWexler produced, "You've Got Me," a tune Billy did in the WillieNelson starring, "Baja Oklahoma".Television has been good to Billy. He's sung the theme songsto the hit series " King Of Queens" and "Empty Nest" and histunes have been used in many shows. A recent appearanceon the NBC show "Hit Me Baby One More Time" resulted inrenewed interest in Billy Vera and sell-out crowds at hisappearances.

Awards

"At This Moment" #1 January, 1987, exposed on NBC's Family Ties 1st hit record: "Storybook Children" duet with Judy Clay, Atlantic Records, 1967. 1st solo hit: "With Pen In Hand", Atlantic, 1968. 1st hit as a songwriter: "Mean Old World Ricky Nelson", 1965. 1st #1 as a songwriter: "I Really Got The Feeling", Dolly Parton, 1979. Biggest selling song: Papa Come Quick (Jody & Chico) on Bonnie Raitt's "Luck of the Draw" - over 5 million to date. 1st acting role: as Pinky Carruthers in "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" 1st #1 as a record producer: Lou Rawls's Grammy- nominated "At Last" Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Peabody Award for Excellence in Radio Broadcasting Noted music historian has produced over 200 reissue albums.