MyRealTalent Artist Spotlight
By
ROB ASTOR
Play the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles with THE BEACH BOYS has
to be a highlight of any musicians career. BILL TUCKER did just that.
Raised in West Covina, CA, BILL TUCKER’s exposure to music began at an
early age. The spark that set his creativity on fire was seeing RICKY
NELSON on TV at an early age. Since that time, he has followed his dream
through points high and low
BILL TUCKER describes his music as having memorable Melodies, catchy
hooks, and jangly Guitar. A slew of artists spanning multiple decades
have influenced Bill’s music including THE BEATLES, THE BEACH BOYS, THE
BYRDS, GROUCHO MARX, CSNY, DWIGHT TWILLEY, PHIL SEYMOUR, CHEAP TRICK,
THE EAGLES, ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, TOM PETTY, THE CARS, BOB DYLAN,
THE MOODY BLUES, SIMON & GARFUNKEL, THE RUTLES, JARS OF CLAY, JAN &
DEAN, ABBA, THE MONKEES, BADFINGER, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, THE BEE GEES,
CASTING CROWNS, LINCOLN BREWSTER, THE TRAVELING WILBURYS, BAD COMPANY,
AMERICA, and 10CC. Mixing all of those varied musical ingredients cooks
a sound Bill describes as a blend of GEORGE HARRISON, THE BEACH BOYS,
HARRY NILSSON, THE BYRDS, JEFF LYNNE, THE RUTLES, and TOM PETTY.
BILL TUCKER’s first band was THE MALARDS followed by THE SOUND
FOUNDATION which was a high school sponsored New Christy Minstrels
outfit. He was also a member of JUST BEFORE 60, WACKS, and ALBION MOONLIGHT.
With songwriting partner John Simon, Bill nearly landed a recording
contract in the late 1970s with Shelter Records. Although disappointed
by not making the final cut, they continued performing all over Southern
California. Another near brush with success came when their song “Do
You” was considered for PHIL SEYMOUR’s debut album. Destiny had other
plans. Unfortunately, the track was held back.
In 2001, BILL TUCKER and nine fellow AT&T employees were selected to
record a company-wide promo CD entitled “ERICfest”. They met with
recording artist/producer DOUG ROBINSON at Capitol Records in Hollywood
to do a collection of ten songs by THE BEACH BOYS. Bill sang “Surfer
Girl”. When the CD was released, they performed the songs with THE BEACH
BOYS. Bill says the experience re-energized his musical aspirations. He
joined the sound production crew at his church and soon helped lead
Worship singing with THE PRAISE TEAM.
Since that time, BILL TUCKER has written and recorded 2 CDs. “Watch Over
Me” is a collection of original Spiritual songs, and “Briardale” is
Mainstream Pop/Rock. Both releases can be found at CDBaby.com, Jam
Records, and on iTunes.
I had the chance to ask Bill about his musical life. Here’s what he
shared with me:
RA: When did you start playing music?
BT: I think it all began in the late 50's actually. My parents had set
me up for accordion lessons. (That was very popular at that time.)
However, I happened to see Ricky Nelson that same night on The Ozzie And
Harriett Show. I went in and told my parents, "I don't want to play
accordion. I want to play guitar and sing like Ricky Nelson!" Well, my
mom and dad were set back and kind of mad. But when I graduated from
sixth grade they bought me my first guitar. I spent that summer learning
all the chords and playing songs like "Michael Row The Boat Ashore." My
mom would take me to the YMCA for group guitar lessons.
RA: Who are you biggest influences?
BT: Probably the first band to really get my attention was The Beach
Boys. They had the whole surfin', cars and girls thing going on in their
songs. And the harmonies were captivating. That was the early 60's and
it wasn't long before The Beatles arrived. I had a small transistor
radio at that time and I still remember "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" coming
on. It sounded very weird to me... kind of like aliens or "The Purple
People Eater". Very different. My mom took me down to Savon Drug Store
where they had their albums set up on an end aisle. What an experience!
RA: Did you set out to emulate their styles or sounds?
BT: My friends and I would ride our bikes across town to Wallich's Music
City and look through the sheet music and memorize the chords. We didn't
have enough money to buy them but we wanted to learn to play the songs!
And of course, when their movies came out, we would emulate their
mannerisms.
RA: How many albums have you released?
BT: I've actually released 2 albums through CDBaby. My first effort in
2005 was "Watch Over Me". It's a collection of Christian based songs
that I wrote after a spiritual re-birth. In that process, my musical
aspirations were re-energized. I followed that release with a mainstream
pop/rock project called "Briardale".
RA: Any links?
BT:
http://www.myrealtalent.com/BILL_TUCKER
http://www.myspace.com/williamhtuckeriii
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/btucker
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/btucker2
RA: Have you collaborated on anything?
BT: Lots of things, actually. I wrote for several years in the 70's with
John Simon. He and I formed a bunch of bands and almost signed with
Shelter Records. We got real close to cracking the nut, but no cigar...
However, one good thing came out of that dance. We met Saul Davis (Phil
Seymour's manager-Twilley/Seymour) and had our song "Do You" slated for
Phil's debut album. But at the last minute, the big boys pulled it and
so it goes...
RA: Can your fans expect anything new in the near future?
BT: I've been writing steadily since last summer and plan to have
several musician friends help me out on my next effort. I think that
will bring a lot more energy into the tunes as well as the magic created
when you open up to new thoughts and ideas.
RA: What are your thoughts on the discovery of music over the Internet?
BT: My daughter talked me into signing up for a MySpace account. She
said, "Dad, you need to get your music out there and lots of bands are
doing this on MySpace.” So, now that I've done it, I think it's the
biggest door that's ever opened! Not only for me to get my stuff some
exposure but also for all the great unsigned music I've discovered in
the process!
Here on MyRealTalent, BILL TUCKER shares five tracks with his listeners.
The first is “When Children Grow Up”. This reflective, melancholy track
plays like a mature BEACH BOYS single, one where the band has come to an
new point in their life. It’s a finely honed look at kids from the point
of view of a father watching the little ones get older. The Harmonies
and Guitar twang are all present in all the right places. “When Children
Grow Up” is a track of perfection.
From the reflective to the tough and street wise “That’s My Car” is
where we head next. This piece is where a perfect hybrid of THE BEACH
BOYS and JAN & DEAN culminates Guitar fell and Lyrical style. It so
perfectly fits into those songs I remember from 8-track tapes, I have to
wonder if either band passed this one over and why.
"Hallelujah", while Worship in nature, has a feel reminiscent of THE
BEATLES. A more Rock & Roll Guitar is present, counter balanced by the
relaxed vocals of Nancy Andeel.
“Shadows On The Run” seems to blend Blues and Jazz, producing a ballad
based on the dream of trying to write a song. I can relate to this one
from personal experience. We all have those times when there’s something
inside of us trying to find a way out. Once born into the world, we want
the whole world to know about it. Dreams get big, yet we stay anchored
firmly in the reality of how slowly things really do progress. We chase
those shadows away by holding onto the positive energy.
The final track, “In These Days”, combines the musical styles of THE
BEATLES and THE BEACH BOYS, finding a combination of Rock and Surf
pleasing to the ear. The song structure is more complex, showcasing the
talent it takes to construct something outside the basic formula. The
real trick is being able to place words up against those patterns. Bill
has pulled it off seemingly effortlessly.
Now that you know a little about BILL TUCKER, be sure to check out the
music and pick up the CDs.
Selected Discography
ERICfest (2001 Various Artists)
Watch Over Me (2005)
Briardale (2006)
