Billy Gilman
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Billy Gilman |
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Billy Gilman (born William Wendell Gilman III May 24, 1988) is a Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter.
Biography
Born in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, he lives with his parents Bill and Fran Gilman and his younger brother Colin.
At a young age he attracted the attention of a local vocal coach, Angela Bacari, who later became his manager. He met and worked with Ray Benson (of Asleep at the Wheel) who helped record demos, including "Roly Poly". He was then signed to Sony Music Nashville. Shortly before his debut album was released, Billy's sang "Roly Poly" with Asleep at the Wheel at the ACM awards on May 8, 2000. This was Billy's first televised performance.
Billy's first single, One Voice was released on May 20, 2000 and quickly rose to #1 on the Billboard Country Singles Sales Chart, staying there for 5 weeks.
On June 20, 2000, Billy's debut album, also named One Voice was released. When the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 19, Billy became youngest country artist ever to accomplish this. On September 12, One Voice album received Platinum certification making him the youngest solo artist of any music genre to achieve this. The album was eventually certified double-platinum status and earned Gilman a Grammy nomination. In January 2001, he was voted the American Music Awards' favorite new country artist, becoming the youngest contender to ever win that prize. He was also given entry into Guinness Book of World Records for being the youngest singer to reach #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, eclipsing the record set by 1960's star Brenda Lee. [1]
Gilman released a Christmas album in 2000 titled Classic Christmas which was certified Gold by the RIAA. By the end of the year, Billy was selling 65,000 albums per week.
In 2001, Billy released his third album Dare to Dream which was certified Gold by the RIAA. Since then he has released 3 more albums including one based on the poems of Mattie Stepanek, a 13-year old boy with Muscular Dystrophy.
Gilman has appeared on various talk shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show as well as performing at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 International Career Development Conference in Dallas, TX and the 2007 International Career Development Conference in Orlando, FL. Both conferences were held by the DECA high school marketing education club. He performed at a benefit for The Station nightclub fire.
He is the national youth chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and is on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Telethon every year as a co-host.
Discography
- One Voice (2000)
- Classic Christmas (2000)
- Dare to Dream (2001)
- Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek (2003)
- Everything and More (2005)
- Billy Gilman (2006)
Singles
| Year | Title | US Country | US Hot 100 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "One Voice"A | 20 | 38 | One Voice |
| 2000 | "Warm and Fuzzy" | 50 | - | Classic Christmas |
| 2001 | "Oklahoma" | 33 | 63 | One Voice |
| 2001 | "There's A Hero"B | - | - | One Voice |
| 2001 | "She's My Girl" | 50 | - | Dare To Dream |
| 2001 | "Elisabeth" | 56 | - | Dare To Dream |
| 2006 | "Everything and More"B | - | - | Everything and More |
| 2006 | "Gonna Find Love"B | - | - | Billy Gilman |
| 2006 | "Southern Star"B | - | - | Billy Gilman |
| 2007 | "Almost Over (Gettin' Over You)" C | - | - | Billy Gilman |
- A"One Voice" also peaked at #29 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
- BFailed to chart.
- CTo be released.
Guest Appearances
- Songs For Life Children of All Nations
- Prelude (Charlotte Church) - duet called "Dream A Dream" with Charlotte Church
- Stuart Little 2 Soundtrack Various Artist- Count On Me
- Country Goes Raffi Various Artist- Baby Beluga
- All Star Christmas Various Artist- Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
- Another Rosie Christmas Various Artist- I'm Going To E-mail Santa