Honky Tonk Ballet

Billy O’Rourke can still recall the first country song he ever heard. "I was listening to the radio and I asked my Dad ‘Who’s that?’ He said it was Gene Watson. I can still remember the song, it was Fourteen Karat Mind." At the tender age of ten, he already had an ear for music.  

Later, as the Urban Country era of country music was coming to a close, circumstances found him sitting in a pick up truck somewhere in Texas as he heard the voice of Randy Travis’ Storms of Life coming from the radio. "I heard his music and I just thought, Wow!’" He knew then what he wanted to do. 

Although it’s music that many seem to easily take for granted these days, back then the sound was like a breath of fresh air, the music breathing new life into country music almost overnight. Randy’s baritone voice and songwriting ability immediately captured Billy’s attention. "It was so different from what was on the radio then. The songwriting was real, simple, straightforward." He recalls, "I wore the tape I had out. I went out and got me a CD copy of it a little while ago. I just love that music. It’s what country music is for me." 

It would be awhile yet before he’d make music his full time profession. First he had to fulfill some promises to his parents. "It was important to them that I go to college and get my degree. So I did that. I got my degree in teaching at San Angelo University. They wanted me to have something to fall back on, after that it I could do what I wanted." Heading to San Antonio after graduation Billy had every intention of finding a teaching job and settling down to adult life, with a little pickin’ on the side. Instead, life found him working at a local Dillard's department store.  

As it would happen the band was in need of a guitar player and Billy found himself on the good side of fortune. Timing is everything in the music industry and Billy found himself choosing a steady gig with David Lee over a promotion to Ladies Shoes. The band, of course has their own version of events. "They’re always telling me how they remember me begging them for the job." he laughs.  

Although Billy's name and music may be new to the airwaves in Texas, he's been accumulating an outstanding resume for over the past decade. The steady gig with David Lee turned into a pretty impressive almost 12 year stint, which still continues, with the band proving to be more than colleagues. "They are very family oriented. That appealed to me. Very down to earth. They’ve all been really supportive. If I called them tomorrow and told them I had an deal with a label in Nashville they’d be the first ones to tell me to go for it." 

David Lee and the band afforded Billy the opportunity to learn the lesson 101 of 'How To Play Live'. "I’ve played weddings where there were about 50 people up to 60,000 at the Astrodome. It’s always the same no matter how many people are out there listening. Give ‘em the best you’ve got." 

All of the album’s dozen  songs were either written or co-written by Billy, gathered from a catalog of songs that he’d written over the years for BGM in San Antonio. His primary writing partner is Mitch Stephen, whom he happened to meet a few years back while at a recording session with David Lee. "We discovered we both liked country music. I told him: 'Come in the back room here and I’ll show you what I’ve got.' I played him some and he really liked it. I’ve learned a lot from him." 

Reception has been warm, both at live shows and radio. "We’re doing another printing so that’s a good sign. We’ve almost made our money back." He laughs. 

Honky Tonk Ballet, the title taken from a line in the opening track, and incidentally opening single, speaks well to what you can expect when you give the disc a listen. Straight up country mixed in with a flair for the unusual.  

"When they ask me if I’m a Texas artist I say well I’m from Texas, but I’m not necessarily a Texas artist, although there are a couple of songs on the album that would fit that description. It’s just country. It’s not hardcore country." he says "There are so many people out there now. I try not to get caught up in who’s doing what. I just try and stay true to myself, concentrate on my own career and songwriting." 

Billy is aptly at home with a rocking song like ‘Guitars’, the country twang of Country as a City Girl Can Get or mellow wistful romance of gems such as If You Could See You or Somebody Somewhere.  

His songwriting shows depth and thought as well as versatility. He’s already learned the most important thing in life  -- all he has to be is himself. "My Dad had retired from the railroad, and he told me how lucky I was to be able to make a living doing something I loved. After he went back to El Paso, I sat and thought about what he said and I said, ‘You know he’s right’" The songwriter in him put pen to paper and the song 'All I Have To Be Is Me' was born. 

If he keeps focused on his goals and true to himself, 'Billy O'Rourke' is definitely all he needs to be. He’s got the talent to make the rest come naturally. And he’s ready to do it, one step, one song and one handshake at a time. "I’m going to do a radio tour." he announces with enthusiasm. "Going to get in my car and do it the old fashioned way. Just like Loretta Lynn did!"  

Texas is a place where geographical and musical boundaries are wide open, and it's a place where Billy O and his music feel and fit right at home. His debut album showcases his varied influences and writing styles, without losing sight of his roots.

Billy O'Rourke encompasses all of his own vast Texas roots and experiences into Honky Tonk Ballet. In an industry where debut projects tend to magnify weaknesses, this project showcases some remarkable songwriting and vocals and stands out above the rest of the crowd.