About Billy Payne
Billy was raised on the sound of country music, played with his family at gatherings in the West Virginia mountains, Which is still home for him. His first vinyl was of Johnny Cash. His style of singing was a big influence in starting his love affair with the music scene. At 12 years old he started teaching himself how to play guitar and sing the popular songs from Johnny, Waylon, Willie, George, and all the great stars of country music. Playing in clubs and wherever he could the next many years instilled the love of performing.
In 1995, he met Waylon Jennings and they became friends. He has recorded and performed with Waylon’s band The Waylors (Waymore’s Outlaws) for several years.
After winning the national “Star Search” show in Charleston, WV in 1998, the recognition came from the record labels. Billy recorded his first album with Aaron Records in Nashville. He had two top 10 independent country songs and one on the Top 30.
In October, 2014, he was inducted into the world famous “Wheeling Jamboree” as an artist member and has performed there several times with many of the Jamboree stars. In June, 2016 the Academy of Western Artist nominated him in three categories; Artist, Album and Song of the Year with the “Genuine Leather” CD. In October 2017, 2018 and 2019 he was again nominated in the same categories with his latest CD.
He performed on the “Phil Mack Show” in Europe. During his 14-day tour in November, 2017, he also did some acoustic appearances on various TV and radio shows and a other performances in Ireland. Summer of 2018, Billy headlined the Barcelona Cowboy Boots Fest in Spain.
Billy has been fortunate to share the stage with several of the “stars of country”: Leona Williams, Billy Crash Cradock, David Frizzell, Highway 101, Charlie McCoy, Mayf Nutter, Lorrie Morgan, Ronnie McDowell, Martin Delray, Del Reeves and many others.
Currently, his music has started gaining popularity overseas with air time in New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia, all over the UK, and Spain.
All seven of Billy’s albums can be purchased online: ITunes, Spotify and CD Baby and various stores.
His music can be downloaded from any major site.
