Bio
Billy Thomas grew up in Southwest Florida. As early as he can remember, he loved singing. At age 11, he took down his brother's drum set from the attic, started playing, and quickly found a love for the instrument.
After playing around most of the "sunshine state" with various Rock and Top 40 bands for 10 years, he packed up everything and moved out to Los Angeles in the mid 70's. It took him a while to land his first audition playing drums for the Hudson Brothers. From that moment onward he promised himself that he would try his hardest to play music for a living.
Billy soon found work either drumming or singing on local recording sessions with well known acts Rare Earth, The Hudson Brothers, Shawn Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Cherrie Curry, Helen Reddy, Flying Burrito Bros., Hank Williams Jr., and Charles Brown. Thomas was also a member of Warner Brothers Records recording act ComboNation (produced by Ted Templeman).
Throughout his L.A. years, he stayed busy performing on the road with The Hudson Brothers, Rick Nelson, The Stone Canyon Band, and Mac Davis. As a growing songwriter Thomas also signed a publishing deal with ATV music and had songs recorded by Dottie West, Stacy Latisaw, and ComboNation.
In September of 1987, after hearing about Nashville from a good friend Richard Bennett, Thomas decided to move his family there. He immediately was hired to sing background vocals on a session with Vince Gill. The two hit it off right away. Gill happened to be in need of a touring drummer which afforded Billy his first chance at becoming a Nashville drummer. Thomas stayed for a while but eventually decided to join Emmylou Harris after recording the album "Blue" with her in 1988. He toured with Emmylou and the Hot Band until he was later invited by country music producer/legend Tony Brown to join a new group Brown was forming.
In 1988 the MCA group McBride & the Ride was off and running. The trio was nominated for CMA's Vocal Group of the Year in 1992. They also had a #1 record on the Country charts in 1992 titled "Sacred Ground". After touring for 5 years and recording a total of three albums for MCA records (which brought them four Top Five country hits), Thomas decided to part ways with the group. He quickly rejoined Vince Gill's band again in 1995.
Over the years, Billy has contributed his multiple talents to many of Nashville's elite including Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, Don Williams, and Earl Scruggs.
In 2012, he was invited to join yet another Nashville band, the Time Jumpers. Some of his Vince Gill tour bandmates were already in the band and he loved the Western Swing sound that they had come up with. Since joining, Thomas has recorded on the Time Jumpers last two Gammy nominated albums and is currently doing double duty as a recording and touring artist with both Vince Gill and the Time Jumpers.
As a Nashville songwriter Billy has had numerous songs recorded by David Ball, Ricochet, McBride & the Ride, the Time Jumpers, Vince Gill, Andy Griggs, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Today, after 30 years in Nashville, Billy Thomas continues pursuing the three gifts he has always loved; Playing and singing with the Time Jumpers, touring with Vince Gill, and writing songs. Living his dream!
