B.E. Taylor

B.E. Taylor, (birth name William Edward Taylor), was born and raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. B.E.'s parents, Bill and Betty Taylor, knew at a very early age that their son was destined to become a singer.
B.E. was stricken with a very serious kidney disease, Nephritis - "Bright's Disease," at the age of 11 that caused him to be hospitalized and confined to home care for over a year. He had to be tutored and had limited visitation since he was so susceptible to infection and germs.
You can only imagine the sadness he experienced watching the other children playing outside on hot summer days and sledding in the winter months. He filled his time by reading and listening to music. His parents bought him a guitar to help pass the time, and that's where it all began. He practiced endlessly, learning to accompany himself as he continued to have fun singing.
He recovered from his long illness and returned to school the following year. From that time on, he pursued his musical career. He was in various high school bands that played at dances, weddings, and local taverns. He eventually met up with four musicians and formed the successful B.E. Taylor Group.
Leading the charmed life
B.E. Taylor has been a favorite for years on both the National and Regional music scene with a career that saw him record three major label albums in six years (two for MCA and one for Epic/CBS), score several regional top ten hits and as the former lead singer of the very popular B.E. Taylor Group, score two BILLBOARD TOP 100 HITS with his release of ‘KAREN” on Epic Records and “Vitamin L” on MCA records. He has performed on several national commercial spots and has performed with such legendary acts as Chicago, Todd Rundgren, Little River Band, Christopher Cross, the Beach Boys & many more.
Over the past decade, B.E. has written, performed, and produced for the award-winning cable TV show, Light Music, for which he was the music director. Light Music won the Billboard award for BEST Contemporary Christian/Mainstream Video Show in 1993, 1994, 1995. Light Music aired on over 1000 cable systems in America and nine foreign countries.
His unique & versatile vocal talent and his commercial popularity has graced him the opportunity to be selected as a featured vocalist performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony along side other national artists at the prestigious “Fred Roger’s Tribute,” hosted by Paula Zahn & Pat Sajak, and again during the “KDKA Radio Newsical.” The Wheeling Symphony also presented B.E. Taylor as their featured musical vocalist during their fall “Pops” tour through southern WV.
B.E. and his outstanding band tour extensively throughout the year, and his B.E. Taylor Christmas music and annual Christmas Concerts have become cherished traditions for so many people. His annual Christmas concert and music have become so popular that virtually by word of mouth the B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert has grown and is performed regionally and throughout the Midwest during the holiday season, and his Christmas music can be heard on adult contemporary radio stations throughout the country during this time too! Taylor has two other Chrishae releases: Try Love and One Nation Under God. His touching ballad Love You All Over Again continues to be played on Delilah’s nationally syndicated love song show.
Love Never Fails – B.E.’s new CD is scheduled for release in DEC 2006 with a full radio promotional in 2007. LOVE NEVER FAILS includes different styles of music — pop — Latin --- reggae, with eleven new original songs as well as the two reinterpretations of classic favorites – Eight Days A Week by the Beatles & The Turtles’ original -- Happy Together.
B.E. on QVC -- B.E. Taylor was the featured musical guest on the QVC Morning Show this past July 2006 performing music from his two critically acclaimed Christmas CDs during QVC’s Christmas In July Programming.
On a yearly basis, B.E. finds the time and is very compassionate about helping others and giving back to his community. He has & continues to help raise hundreds of thousands of dollars by performing at various fundraising concerts & donating his time and talent to various worthwhile organizations such as the YWCA, United Way, Special Olympics, Easter Seals, the March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, Bundle Up, Early Learning Disabilities Institute, Children's Hospital, Tickets for Kids, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, various area homeless shelters, soup kitchens etc. He supports and participates in "music appreciation" week and visits various schools by sharing his music and message on the importance of keeping the "arts" alive in our school systems.
“I am so blessed to be able to use the voice God has given me to touch so many people in so many different ways and I am very aware and respect the responsibility I have whether performing, writing music, or meeting someone on the street -- I want them to know someone cares. Music is the soundtrack to our lives and I want to provide one that touches the heart and makes a difference.” B.E. Taylor
HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES
January 1, 2006 – Performed the National Anthem at the Steelers/Detriot Lions Game, Pittsburgh, PA
October 22, 2005 – B.E. Taylor was a featured vocalist with Pittsburgh Symphony during the KDKA Radio “Newsical.” The Pittsburgh Symphony celebrates the birth of the world's first radio station with the world's first Newsical. Join us for News Talk 1020 KDKA's 85th Anniversary celebration.
So, what's a Newsical? It's a fun, musical look at KDKA's past and present. KDKA talent, both current and emeritus, plus some very special guests and the 120-piece Symphony will stage a once-in-our-lifetime event that honors KDKA and Pittsburgh.
December 26, 2004 – Performed the National Anthem at the Steelers/Ravens Game, Pittsburgh, PA
December 2, 2004 – B.E. Taylor along with other All Star Pittsburgh musicians performed with Bruce Springsteen at a Flood Relief Benefit Concert held at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, PA – All proceeds went to a fund to provide support to those affected by the September 2004 Flood in the local communities of Pittsburgh, PA.
March 27, 2004 - B.E. Taylor performed along with other National and Regional performers at the tribute to Mr. Rogers, entitled, “The Music of Fred Rogers,” with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Saturday, March 27, 2004, at Heinz Hall Theater in Pittsburgh, PA, hosted by Paula Zahn & Pat Sajak. B.E. performed the song, “Am I a Mistake,” which Daniel the Tiger sang on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
December 2003-2002 – Performed the National Anthem at the Steelers/Bengals Game, Pittsburgh, PA
September 2002 - Guest Artist Performance with the Wheeling Symphony, 3-City Pops Series Tour, Wheeling, WV, Elkins, WV & Calhoun County, WV.
August 2002 – Performed with Christopher Cross at the Charleston Regatta, Charleston, WV.
December 2001 - Performed the National Anthem at the Steelers/Jets Game, Pittsburgh, PA
August 2001 - Performed with Little River Band, Pittsburgh Regatta, Pittsburgh, PA.
June 2001 - Performed with Chicago, Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA.
January 2001 - Performed at the Inauguration for West Virginia Governor Bob Wise in Charleston, WV.
July 2000 - Performed with Todd Rundgren, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Pittsburgh, PA.
June 2000 - Performed at the "Diocese of Brooklyn Millennium Celebration" (produced by Radio City Music Hall Productions), Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium, NY.
May 2000 - Performed at the "National Day of Prayer," Washington, DC.
December 1999 - Rockefeller Center -- New York, NY - B.E. Taylor Christmas CD was featured during the lighting of the historic Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center this past December.
August 1999 - Performed with the Beach Boys at the A.J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
August 1998 - Performed for second year in a row with the legendary group, Chicago at the Star Lake Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, PA.
July l997 - Performed in front of 20,000 people with , Chicago, at the Star Lake Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, PA.
October 1995 - POPE JOHN PAUL II -- CENTRAL PARK New York City, NY & CAMDEN YARDS, Baltimore, MD -- Band Leader for Kathy Troccoli, Contemporary Christian Recording Artist. Performed during Pope John Paul's visit to the United States at both Central Park and Camden Yards.
1995-1997 - Performed nationally with recording artist, Kathy Troccoli, at various concert dates.
1991 - Performed the National Anthem at the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals, Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota.
1987-1996 - Music Director/Vocalist, LightMusic Band, which appeared regularly on LightMusic. LightMusic, a contemporary Christian/positive mainstream video show. The show was taped in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and aired nationally and internationally on over 1000 cable systems, 60 broadcast stations, and 4 satellite networks.
Featured B.E. Taylor Music:
Northwest Airlines The single, "Loving," from B.E. Taylor's latest CD, entitled,"Try Love," was featured on Northwest Canadian Airline Flights during the months of November & December 1998.
Current CD Releases
LOVE NEVER FAILS – Chrishae Records, CR-2608 – 2006 – B.E.s latest CD release, LNF, includes different styles of music — pop — Latin --- reggae, with eleven new original songs as well as the two reinterpretations of classic favorites – Eight Days A Week by the Beatles & The Turtles’ original -- Happy Together.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD - CHRISHAE RECORDS, CR24042, 2004. A collection of patriotic favorites featuring a musical rendition of The Pledge of Allegiance and a new ORIGINAL SONG, I SAY, WE SAY, USA.
B.E. TAYLOR CHRISTMAS 2, Chrishae Records, CR2011, 2000 This is the long-awaited follow up to his first Christmas CD. And by CD sales in the regional area, fans are happy that it's finally here!!! B.E. Taylor continues to take old favorites and arrange them in a way that makes the songs seem brand new. This new CD also contains “two” Christmas originals written by B.E. It is sure to become a Christmas tradition.
TRY LOVE, CHRISHAE RECORDS, CR9703, 1997. A compilation of 14 new songs written, produced and performed by B.E., in a style featuring rhythm and blues/pop.
1st Single -- “This Time,” #29 on GAVIN AC Chart
2nd Single -- “Love You All Over Again,” #28 on GAVIN AC Chart, & in R&R’s “NEW & ACTIVE” AC Chart.
B.E. TAYLOR CHRISTMAS, CHRISHAE RECORDS, CR9409, 1994. A unique interpretation of 12 traditional Christmas Carols.
The following albums, by the B.E. Taylor Group, are not available for purchase; they are out of print:
INNERMISSION - MCA 5335/SWEET CITY RECORDS INCORPORATED.
Never Hold Back - Single, Billboard's Heavy Radio Chart.
LOVE WON THE FIGHT - MCA 39007/SWEET CITY RECORDS INCORPORATED.
Love Won The Fight 12" Radio Release
Just A Beat Away 12" Radio Release
Vitamin L, # 66 on Billboard 's Hot 100 Chart, MTV Video l2" Radio Release
LIFE GOES ON - EP, FIRST STRING RECORDS
Karen, Regional Single
Dangerous Rhythm 12" Released by EPIC
OUR WORLD - EPIC/CBS, BFE 40282
Reggae Rock & Roll 12" Release & Single
Karen, Single, #94 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart
Commercial Work:
Produced and/or performed on the following national commercials:
Nickelodeon; Nick At Night; TV Land; McDonald's; Old Navy; Cleveland Indians; Ernst & Young, Seaworld;Equal Sweetener Leukemia Foundation Website: Audio Production
Industrial Commercials: Burger King; B.F. Goodrich Tires; Sherwin Williams Paint