 Billy Trudel - Singer, Songwriter, and Music Producer |
Billy Trudel (born august 8th, 1960) is an American vocalist, independent singer, songwriter, and music producer. Billy is know for his years of work as a full time primary backup vocalist for artists such as Elton John[1], and Billy Joel, and for his lead vocals in 80's and 90's rock bands such as The City, Public Domain, and Warpipes, as well as his contributions to major motion pictures such as Wag the Dog (1997), To Die For (1989), Fire Birds (1990), True Blood (1989), and Rescue Me (1992).[2]
Career
editBilly began his music career in 1981 as a session singer for professional songwriters at Warner Brothers. Responding to an ad in The Los Angeles Times Billy landed an audition at Chrysalis Records in 1985 where he ultimately became lead vocalist in the band, The City. This is where he'd meet record producer Peter McIan, guitarist Stuart Mathis, Bassist Wade Biery, and Drums & Percussion Jerry Speiser. Within weeks they would have a record contract and release a studio album shortly there after, titled Foundation.[3] Shortly after they disbanded, Billy was an on-again off-again session vocalist from 1986 onward. Through session work Billy was introduced to guitarist Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson in 1990, they united with keyboardist Guy Babylon and bassist Bob Birch to form Warpipes[4]. This would lead to the release of the studio album "Holes In the Heavens". Now having more professional experience than ever before, Billy would return to session singing in Los Angeles, singing backup vocals for musicians such as Motley Crue, M.C Lyte, Diana Ross, and Elton John.[1][5] Having acquired the skills and the know-how along with his connections from the music industry he found himself singing a number of jingles for corporations like Taco Bell, Miller Lite, Pepsi, and Pringles as well as singing in major motion pictures such as Wag the Dog (1997) To Die For (1989) Fire Birds (1990) and True Blood (1989). In 1995 Billy performed with Elton at the 67th Academy Awards where Elton won the Oscar for Can You Feel The Love Tonight.[6] From 1997 to 2001 Billy toured with Elton and Billy Joel as their primary background vocalist.[1][7][8] At this time he was also lead vocalist with the band Public Domain (MTM Records Germany). In 2001 Billy opened up his own music house, Billy Trudel Music which brought recording artists into the advertising world to sing and perform on national television. He wrote and produced music for commercial adverts with some of the largest companies in the world such as MasterCard, Budweiser, Saturn, Mitsubishi, and Coca-Cola. In 2002 Billy was asked to join the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) where he'd sit on the Board of Governors Los Angeles Chapter which he served a total of 2 years for the Grammys. Since 2008 Billy has been writing and producing music for film and television. He has over 100 song titles published and 200 cues. Now Billy helps aspiring artists develop their craft as a vocal coach, showing them the in's and out's of the music industry. He continues to pursue his passion for music. "Music is and will always be my voice" - Billy Trudel.
Discography
editStudio Albums
edit1980's
| Year | Album | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The City - Foundation | Lead Vocals | Chrysalis Records |
| 1989 | Michael Thompson Band - How Long | Vocals, Writing & Arrangement | Geffen Records |
| Steve Thomson - Steve Thomson | Vocals | Phonag Records |
1990's
| Year | Album | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bad Reputation - Dirty White Boy. | Vocals | Polydor Records LTD |
| Marc Jordan - Cow | Vocals | RCA | |
| 1991 | Warpipes - Holes In The Heavens | Lead Vocals, Writing & Arrangement | Artful Balance |
| MC Lyte - Act Like You Know | Vocals | Firehouse Studios | |
| 1992 | House of Lords - Demons Down | Vocals, Instruments & performance | PolyGram/Victory Music |
| Zachary Richard - Snake Bite Love | Vocals | A&M Records | |
| 1994 | Eyes - Full Moon | Songwriting | Empire Records |
| Julio Iglesias - Crazy | Vocals | CRSC | |
| 1995 | Tower Of Power - Souled Out | Writing & Arrangement | |
| 1996 | Michael English - Freedom | Vocals, Writing & Arrangement | Curb Records |
| John Parr - Under Parr | Vocals | Bud Music | |
| 1998 | Steelhouse Lane - Metallic Blue | Writing & Arrangement | Bareknuckle |
| Public Domain - Radio Nights | Lead Vocals, Writing & Arrangement | MTM Records | |
| 1999 | Steelhouse Lane - Slaves Of The New World | Writing & Arrangement | MTM Music, Intercord |
2000's
| Year | Album | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Elton John - One Night Only (The Greatest Hits) | Vocals | Mercury |
| 2003 | Andrew W.K. - The Wolf | Vocals | Island Records |
| Andrew W.K. - Never Let Down | Vocals | Island Records | |
| 2004 | Eric Burdon - My Secret Life | Vocals | SPV Recordings |
| 2005 | Elton John - Greatest Hits - One Night Only | Vocals | Mercury |
| Various - All Of Mid-Summer Blossoms | Vocals | SMDR GT Music | |
| 2008 | Andrew W.K. - Premium Collection | Vocals | Universal Music, Universal Music, Universal Music |
2010's
| Year | Album | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Steelhouse Lane - Slaves Of The New World | Writing & Arrangement | Escape Music |
| 2011 | Chris Ousey - Rhyme & Reason | Vocals | Escape Music |
| 2014 | Overland - Epic | Vocals, Instruments & performance | Escape Music |
| 2015 | Ozone - Self Defence | Vocals | Escape Music |
| 2018 | Jimmy Waldo & Steven Rosen - Voices From The Past | Vocals | MelodicRock Records |
Filmography
editFilm
edit1980's
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | To Die For | (performer: "It's You Who Said It") |
| Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama | (performer: "It's You Who Said It") | |
| 1989 | True Blood | (performer: "BEYOND A DREAM") |
1990's
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Backstreet Dreams | (performer: "Piece Of The Rock") |
| Betsy's Wedding | (performer: "The Good Life") | |
| Fire Birds | Performer: "The Good Life" | |
| 1992 | Rescue Me | Performer: "Help Is On the Way" |
| 1997 | Wag the Dog | Actor and Performer: "American Dream" |
| 1999 | Body and Soul | Performer |
2000's
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | performer and songwriter: "She Can Dance" |
2010's
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Homeless in Hollywood (2011) | performer and songwriter |
| 2016 | The Sex Trip | (performer: "Starving For Affection") |
Television
edit1980's
| Year | Television Series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Hannah Barbera - Bill and Ted: Excellent Adventures | Title Theme: Perfromer |
| Hannah Barbera - Tom and Jerry | Title Theme: Perfromer | |
| Hannah Barbera - Cro | Title Theme: Perfromer | |
| Hannah Barbera - Pitsburg Pigs | Title Theme: Perfromer |
1990's
| Year | Television Series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Robert Urich - American Dreamer | Title Theme: Perfromer |
| 1994 | National Geographic: Really Wild Animals | Performer |
| 1997 | An Audience with Elton John | Background Vocals |
2000's
| Year | Television Series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Elton John: One Night Only - Greatest Hits Live | Background Vocals |
| 2005 | Elton John: The Red Piano | Background Vocals |
2010's
| Year | Television Series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Piano Men Live in Tokyo | Background Vocals |
References
edit- ^ a b c Odaka, Masachika, The Piano Men Live in Tokyo (Music), DirecTV, NTV Film and Video Productions, NTV Film and Video Productions, retrieved 2022-06-21
- ^ "Billy Trudel". IMDb. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ The City - Foundation, retrieved 2022-06-22
- ^ "1990: Warpipes". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ "Dionne Warwick's son singer Billy Trudel performs during his..." Getty Images (in German). Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ Jackrabbit (2010-04-02). "36 years of eltonjohnallsongslist: Please, Eltonites, get up, stand up to receive one of the greatest musicians of the world... the fantastic... Billy Trudel!!!!!!!!!!!". 36 years of eltonjohnallsongslist. Retrieved 2022-06-22.
- ^ Mallet, David; LaChapelle, David (2005-12-12), Elton John: The Red Piano (Documentary, Music), Happenstance Limited, PJM Productions, Serpent Films Productions, retrieved 2022-06-22
- ^ Mallet, David, Elton John: One Night Only - Greatest Hits Live (Documentary, Music), Happenstance Limited, retrieved 2022-06-22