.... ..
..
Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com
Billy J. began playing music at the age of 9 years old along with his brother Donnie Morris, a talented musician in his own right. He started playing professionally in the 1960's and has played/toured with/opened for musicians such as James "Skip" Easterling, Barry White, Dorothy Moore, Santana, Earl "ET" Turner, Joe Simon, G G Shinn, The Boogie Kings, Joe Tex, The Diamonds, Clean Slate, Tanya Tucker, Donna Fargo, The Shirrelles, The Premiers, Funkshun and numerous bands/artists from the New Orleans area, as well as many local bands in Shreveport/Bossier/Monroe. These performances were not only local and statewide, they criss-crossed the United States and into International countries.
Billy J. was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 1999 for his vocal and drum performances in the songs "For Your Love" recorded in 1968, and "Love Has Made You Beautiful" recorded in 1982. Love Has Made You Beautiful was written by Merle Kilgore, Hank Williams Jr.'s manager, and was produced by fellow Hall of Fame Inductee Dean Mathis of "Bread and Butter" fame with the band known as The New Beats.
Currently Billy J. is featured in several local bands that are very popular through out Louisiana, and Texas/Arkansas/Mississippi as well. You can find him singing (and sometimes singing and playing drums, but ALWAYS smiling) in local clubs and in casinos through out Louisiana. He was recently hired as a musician for the movies "The Year One" (starring Jack Black and Oliver Platt) and "Soul Man" (starring Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac). He also appears as an extra in the movie "Tekken"...you'll find him in an "IRON FIST STAFF" jacket, directing the crowd. All are due for release in 2009.
Whether singing in English or Cajun, his unique vocal range and style are most sought after, and have only improved with age and experience.
myspace graphics
THE BLUE EYED SOUL EXPRESS: A dynamic seven piece horn band, this newly formed band plays powerful horn and vocal arrangements, done in their original style. BESE boasts a line-up of Ronnie Sellers on baritone saxophone; Dave
"Shooter" Duplissey (inducted TWICE into the LA Music Hall of Fame) on Tenor
Saxophone; Kelly Graves on Trumpet & Back-up Vocals; Ken Cardino on Lead Guitar & Vocals; Henry Reggans on Organ/Piano & Vocals; Charlie Mabou on Bass and back-up Vocals; and, of course, Billy J Morris...featured singer, on Lead Vocals and Drums.
Their music genres cover a lot of ground, but they specialize in soul, funk, swamp pop and other popular dance music. Their stage presentation is a professional entertainment show, with a combination of style, class, talent and FUN! They boast a never-ending song list that would please even the pickest of venues. Willing to book and travel anywhere, The Blue Eyed Soul Express is ready to rip into your town, and entertain you to the max. Gotta see and hear this band...AGAIN AND AGAIN!
For more information on The Blue Eyed Soul Express, please check out
their MySpace page, request to be their friend, and sign the guest book!
myspace graphics
THE PREMIERS: This band consists of anywhere from four to seven people playing R&B/Soul, Swamp Pop/Zydeco, the classics and all your favorite dance music. Billy J. fronts, sings lead vocals, and plays the drums. Occasionally he will hire another drummer and just sing and front. The usual line-up of this band consists of three Louisiana Hall of Fame inductees...Jimmy Johnson on lead guitar/vocals, Cass Acosta on organ & piano/vocals and Billy. Other popular local musicians in the Shreveport area that round out The Premier's roster include Shreveport city councilman Michael Long, Donnie Morris, Rick Willis, Steve Lang, Jay Davis, Hassell Teakle, Dexter Mathis and many others. The Premiers can play the standards AKA "super club" music if requested. This band entertains to the fullest and can fill emergency bookings on short notice.
myspace graphics
THE HARMON DREW SUPER GROUP: Recently Billy J. was honored with an invitation by Judge Harmon Drew to to join his powerhouse horn band as a lead vocalist and percussionist. Billy is one of a two-man front (with Zelma "Z" Broussard) as he belts out all the songs that you've grown to expect him to perform, along with new favorites added to his already diversified list. Mike Morris (who has been with HDSG for several years) is another of the talented lead singers in HDSG that will entertain you with his vocal talents. There is no relation that we know of between Mike and Billy J...(Harmon refers to them as The Morris Brothers!). They do have something else in common, besides their last name.....TALENT!
This band formed over 30 years ago and is still one of the most sought after bands in this area. Most of the members of Blue Eyed Soul Express are members of HDSG as well. Another great band with lots of class, lots of talent and a never-ending song list!
myspace graphics
..
Free Myspace Layouts by MyspaceLayoutSpy.com
Microphone Myspace Layouts in Music Myspace Layouts
Myspace Comments | Myspace Graphics | Myspace Surveys
