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WinterNAMM '09 Music: Billy Zoom

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- Rated: 308 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 2:32 p.m. Proteus:

Punk legend / nice guy Billy Zoom appeared on the Kim Falcon Stage yesterday afternoon, working with bassist Mark Torstenson (a Gretsch dealer from Huntsville, AL) and acoustic rhythm guy / vocalist extraordinaire Mike Kilpatrick, also from Huntsville.

Billy brought one of his own amps, which has a fat tone that brings out all the body of the Seymour Dynas in the Tribute Jet. (And his total commitment to DeArmond pickups was demonstrated by the classic soundhole pickup in the acoustic guitar. Who remembers those?)

Billy's nursing a hand injury from his shop, but soldiered forth to deliver a warmly rendered set of vintage pre-revival rockabilly, just as he remembers it. Experience and roots always show.

After Billy's Set, he was available to sign autographs and to chat with his friends and fans.

The man's a class act.

Billy Zoom Audio
Billy Zoom 1
Billy Zoom 2
Billy Zoom 3
Billy Zoom 4
Billy Zoom 5
Billy Zoom 6
Billy Zoom 7
Billy Zoom 8

Rocka-Billy Zoom Video
Video Billy 1
Video Billy 2
Video Billy 3
Video Billy 4

.
- Rated: 129 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 2:40 p.m. wenzel:

Billy Zoom is too cool for school!
- Rated: 43 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 2:42 p.m. AndyJ:

To quote the drummer-less Quarrymen: "The rhythm's in the guitars!" And indeed it is.

Nice!
- Rated: 58 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 5:02 p.m. JC:

Just like the old days
- Rated: 8 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 5:26 p.m. OjoCaliente:

I think I'm in love. And he was injured? Oh, why go on, sigh.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 5:34 p.m. bobbyrivera:

I can't download the music. Maybe a mac-Pc thing? When I click the files, XP opens in WMP, but then stops. None of my other music software will recognize the file extensions either. If I'm the only one experiencing this, I will assume it has something to do with my setup. I did try to save them to disc as well which resulted in nothing being downloaded. EDIT: I figured it out... Thanks for the soundclips Proteus!
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 6:12 p.m. jazzbo:

Everything Proteus has loaded from NAMM launches in Quicktime on my PC, but it takes a little while to download, then it takes an additional 15-30 seconds before it actually starts to play. Dunno why because Quicktime is not my preferred audio player.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 6:15 p.m. MissK:

Don't know about PCs, but on a Mac, just option-click the audio file names above & it will automatically begin to download.
- Rated: 36 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 6:16 p.m. CnW:

Great playing---and great tone as well (not that I was surprised)! I'm glad to see that somebody as cool as him also runs his effects off the top of his amp.
- Rated: 90 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 6:31 p.m. bonedaddy:

The video files are pretty large; so it will take a while to download.

Hey, I got to help Billy hump his gear up to the stage/booth. You should have heard him in person. The tone was impeccable.
- Rated: 65 ↑
Jan 17, 2009 9:39 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Cool on Billy!!!
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jan 18, 2009 6:43 p.m. MissK:

What happened to the video? When's it coming?
- Rated: 61 ↑
Jan 18, 2009 7:48 p.m. otterbean:

I enjoyed these tunes. Thanks to Gretsch, Billy Zoom, and Proteus for bringing us the sound.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Jan 18, 2009 9:16 p.m. Brandon02:

That was great, I've been waiting to hear this performance!!!
- Rated: 3 ↑
Jan 18, 2009 9:40 p.m. catar:

Cool!
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jan 18, 2009 10:52 p.m. billydlight:

mmmmm pure goodness
- Rated: 308 ↑
Jan 21, 2009 11:37 p.m. Proteus:

The promised BZoomVids are here.

Rocka-Billy Zoom Video
Video Billy 1
Video Billy 2
Video Billy 3
Video Billy 4

(Also linked in top post of thread. This is just to get your attention.)
- Rated: 90 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 12:36 a.m. bonedaddy:

Here's a funny pic of the lead singer after Billy stuck his pick to his sweaty head:
- Rated: 34 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 6:22 a.m. DangerousMan:

That's just so cool... would have loved to have heard it in person.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 9:03 a.m. bluesgoober:

Billy was great, and to see him in a small room was really a treat. Getting turned-on to the Gretsch Family (Joe,Tim,Keith and Bob French) was very special and being around all those beautiful Gretsch guitars was magic. Thanks for the great time and Billy Gibbons was awesome!
- Rated: 58 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 9:21 a.m. JC:

And what about Billy's amp?

Any word when these will be available?
- Rated: 308 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 12:36 p.m. Proteus:

Amp information is pending. I'm working on content...
- Rated: 1 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 12:38 p.m. MK:

Hey, y'all!

I was the rhythm player/singer with Zoom. That's my pointed head with the pick on it!

Glad you guys liked the set. We had a ball.

True, Billy "imported" his rhythm section from Alabama, which, believe it or not, we have mailmen out here who sing like Solomon Burke!

Video/audio of our gig is very cool, pity the camera mic was too close to my amp. Had a little trouble hearing everything, and it shows. My rhythm was all over the place. That's the breaks! (Glad Billy's not like James Brown, or I'd be $50 poorer!)

Glad to be playing with Zoom, he's the consummate professional. Truly a punk legend and a nice guy.

As for his amps, we'll all know more in the coming months. The amps sound incredible and look super-cool, as Billy's attention to detail is second to none.

Great getting to meet many of you, and a BIG thanks to the Gretsch staff for helping us schlep our gear in and out of the venue (that's you, "bonedaddy"!), and for being so kind to us. Mr. Gretsch and Mr. Carducci were a treat to work with.

If any of you find yourself out this way, give us a holler at www.thefretshop.com

Hope to see y'all again soon. Warmest regards, Michael Kilpatrick Huntsville, AL
- Rated: 90 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 1:07 p.m. bonedaddy:

Hey MK, very cool to see you on the board. I took the pointed pick picture. You guys killed it. It was really good to see your set. And hey, you're welcome for the gear schlepping. Any time!
- Rated: 88 ↑
Jan 22, 2009 4:17 p.m. Ric12string:

bonedaddy, I've got a gig tomorrow night that I could use some schlepping on, please...

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