Bill Small
''fall back into one of singer/songwriter Bill Small's smart lyrical narratives" -Andy Langer
Austin Chronicle
Bill Small was born in Princeton, NJ and grew up just outside New York City. As a teenager he worked as an actor, musician and technical director for various student productions at the Whole Theater Company in Montclair, NJ under the direction of Olympia Dukakis. After studying voice at Berklee College of music in Boston, Bill moved back to New York and played with various groups. As a vocalist in "Bending Towards the Light.... A Jazz Nativity" he sang with Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Doc Cheatham, Bob Kindred, Anne Phillips and Mel Lewis. He also wrote and produced recordings for educational children's materials for Modern Curriculum Press.
Bill moved to Austin in 1990 with a blues/rock trio, Heavy Weather. Heavy Weather disbanded in 1993, but not before achieving some success in their new hometown. Most notably, winning the 1992 KLBJ Battle of the Bands and appearing on the �KLBJ Local Licks Live� CD, as well as sharing stages with such artists as James Cotton, Jimmy LaFave, Ian Moore, and Poco.
After some time playing guitar for several local Austin bands, Bill put together another trio called Stringbones. With Bill on acoustic guitar and vocals, a stellar rhythm section and more than a handful of great songs, Stringbones played extensively in Austin and around central Texas. In 1997 they released a self-titled CD on their own Pencil Thin Records label.
In 2000, Bill released "Singin" his debut solo cd on FMR records. Veteran Austin Producer/Engineer Andy Murphy and genius engineer Mark McQuilken teamed up to help make this dream a reality and brought together great musicians like Chris Gage, Brannen Temple, Courtney Audain, Bryan Keeling, Ben White, David Pulkingham, and Donna McElroy to name a few. It took 3 years and the time and care put into the record shows.
In 2001 Bill and then wife Kira Small moved to Nashville where he started "crooked whistle music". A music production company which went on to produce hundreds of song demos as well as Kira's debut cd, "Wanderin Star". Before leaving Nashville he also spent sometime playing bass and guitar for Lyric Street Recording artist Deric Ruttan.
Moving back to Texas in 2004 to help create the Uptown Marble Theater in Marble Falls, Bill has once again found a home in the central Texas music scene. He is currently playing guitar and singing with Debbi Walton and Sweet Soul Vibe, New York R& B artist Abenaa, performing in a duo ($100Men) with singer/songwriter guitarist Scott Boland and playing solo acoustic shows, as well as working as Production Manger for the Uptown Marble Theater and Artistic Director for the Uptown Marble Arts Alliance.
A dynamic performer with a fantastic voice and honesty you won�t forget. You don�t want to miss this guy!
"(Bill) Small's songs are so hook laden, I defy you not to sing along"
-Rick Busby
Austin Arena Magazine