In the past two and a half years, Billy Gilman has been a participant in his own reality series-the reality of surviving in his own skin and a life away from music. It was a forced reality for the young artist who was sidelined at the height of his multi-platinum selling career by a really normal and typical development for a boy his age. His voice changed. At 14, just as quickly as Billy Gilman made his explosive debut in the country music scene, mother-nature removed him--immediately and entirely from the spotlight.
"I was doing so much-90 plus concerts a year, television appearances, recording in the studio, and tons of interviews. I was in constant motion and because of my voice change, I went from doing all of that to doing absolutely nothing at all. It wasn't as if I made the decision to leave my music career to go back to being 'normal.' Being in music and singing is 'normal' for me. I've been singing since I was two years old. It was my life and this was pretty traumatizing for me."
By mid 2002, Billy was forced to cancel concerts and he was ordered to take complete vocal rest. His voice, bearing the chance of serious damage, was silenced. The young star faced the challenge of becoming what some folks might say "a flash in the pan." "My immediate thought was 'why so soon?' I was just learning how to use my voice, getting it all down and feeling comfortable with my career…being in the spotlight…and doing what I needed to do. I went to Vanderbilt Voice Clinic in Nashville-one of the world's best voice centers-and they told me 'no singing, no talking.' They may have well have just said, 'stop breathing.'" With the voice change-a life change-came the fear that he may never sing again.
Through the support of his family, friends and his manager, Billy reluctantly followed doctor's orders. "I look back now over those two years and I'm grateful for the time and wisdom I gained. It was a good time to rest, re-group, think of the future and make a decision as to my long term commitments. Just as most kids at my age are getting their lives started, I was forced to face a possible career change! Being on vocal rest gave me the time to search my heart and my priorities and make a full commitment to my music and getting back to it."
The good news is Billy Gilman is a winning survivor! Back from vocal exile to the business of making music, he introduces his groundbreaking new project, EVERYTHING AND MORE, his debut project under the Image Entertainment imprint. Soon to be 17 (born May 24, 1988), the dynamic teenager has lost nothing but time and the new album showcases a voice that has undergone a welcomed mature change. Billy Gilman makes a clear comeback with all of the charisma, youthful energy and pizzazz that made him a child star phenomenon worldwide.