Bill Thornton profile picture

Bill Thornton

Treat others BETTER than U would have them treat U

About Me

BILL THORNTON, originally from Meridian, Mississippi, began playing drums at age ten in the elementary school band. A year later he joined his first rock band, The Secret Agents, with Greg McMurry and Bill Covington. Bill has played with various rock, blues, jazz and country bands including The Epics, Steve Forbert, Wright Williamson, Eric Gunn, Live Steam, Clay Barnes (Willie Nile & The Cryers), Greg Shirley (Greg Trooper), and Alan Cameron, The Cindy Horstman Trio, Mike Medina (Edgar Winter, Marcia Ball, Andy Timmons), The Cast, Myles Cohen (Juno Award Winner), Larry McCarley, Mike Sodders, Stage Coach, Tim Freely, Phil Leming, Rare Connection, Mike Vestal, Kenny Creech, Jim Brewer (Patrice Pike's and Joy Davis' uncle), Zeb "Cash" Lane, Dennis Morlan (Randy McAllister and Omar & The Howlers), Glenn Goodpasture, Lenno Summers, and Andrew Hallin. He recently returned to his home state of Mississippi after spending many years in Dallas/Fort Worth and New Orleans. While in Dallas Bill studied with noted drummer and University of North Texas instructor Henry Okstel. He is currently playing and recording with the blues trio known as The Maurio Marcus Group.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/7/2006
Band Website: myspace.com/mauriomarcus
Band Members: MAURIO MARCUS: Lead guitar and vocals, ANDREW HALLIN: Bass guitar, BILL THORNTON: Drums.LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS: MAURIO MARCUS, born in San Diego, California, his first formal training was trumpet. At age 12 he switched to guitar. Maurio's first working band was a rock band called Forced Entry in San Diego, California. After backing several bands for a few years he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and privately studied jazz. Among his tutors was Anthony Brown, guitarist for the James Rivers Band. After returning to California Maurio had the opportunity to share the stage with Floyd Dixon, and while working in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas he co-founded The Fire Monkeys. Maurio then moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work as a sideman. Several years later he traveled back to the west coast to work with Bermuda Triangle. Again lured to the south, Maurio returned to Georgia and fronted his own group and worked with Beth Ann Dukes. While in Georgia he was also a member of the Blue Knights, and he had the opportunity to meet and perform with Francine Reed. In March of 2006 Maurio arrived in the Dallas/Forth Worth area and started The Maurio Marcus Group. His influences include Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Anthony Brown (James Rivers Band), Albert Collins, Freddie King and others.
Influences: Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Sandy Nelson, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, John Bonham, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Hal Blaine, Levon Helm, Chris "Whipper'' Layton, Bill Bruford, Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Kenny Aronoff, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Tony Williams, Joe Morello, Art Blakely, Max Roach, Johnny Vidacovich, and Stanton Moore.
Sounds Like: See video of our Hotshots gig at www.mauriomarcus.livemusicwebcast.com
Record Label: ..
Type of Label: None