Is Everybody Happy? by Billy Bruso

It just goes to show you the variety of musical taste.

The comment I heard several times and enjoyed hearing the most was that “the CD sounded like a soundtrack” when listened to as an album. I never thought of it in those terms when I was creating and arranging the songs, but it does ring true. The songs do define a particular span of my own life.

Another comment I liked was, “I never would have expected this kind of music from a white guy from Massachusetts”.

Words were written to go with most of the songs but I decided to leave them as simple one guitar instrumentals. However, since a little insight might make the songs more interesting and/or enjoyable to the listener, I’ve decided to tell the stories behind the songs.

Turkey Hill Slide

Turkey Hill is the name of the hill behind the barn on my family’s farm. It’s great for sliding. And there’s still plenty of turkey left.

Four Corners

is my own personal crossroads experience.

Fishing With My Brothers

is about one particular summer day at Hadwen Park. We used to call it “Had-One Park”. My older brother and I both had store-bought rods and reels. I don’t remember why, but for some reason, my younger brother had resorted to fishing with a crooked stick and a short length of someone’s abandoned tangled fishing line. We thought it was very funny until he pulled out the biggest bass any of us had every seen.

“Is Everybody Happy?”

is what my grandfather used to ask us when he took us on a nature ride down the country back roads and along farm hedgerows in Bucks County, PA. We counted all the different animals we saw and on the way back to Pop-Pop’s house we made up a song using the animal names. Then we’d catch fireflies and eat ice cream.

Down In A Mine

was created with the trapped miners, from the recent past, in mind.

The next three songs are the heart and soul of this musical effort to me. They encapsulate what I was doing the day we were attacked and the immediate aftermath.

A Real Job

I had just returned from a job interview in Missouri. I didn’t want to drive all the way home that night so I stayed over my buddy’s house. I spent the next morning returning some calls from prospective employers. Then a woman called to tell me I got the job bartending. And then she said, “Oh, my! Someone just hi-jacked a plane.” I turned on the TV in time to see the jet disappear behind the second tower.

Remember 9-11-01

I was amazed at a poll result I heard that a large majority of people on American streets can’t remember the year we were attacked. Every time I hear this song, I feel the way I did that day. The shock, the anger, the patriotism and the grief all come rushing back to me. Maybe I hear something others don’t. But it helps me to remember.

Pick ‘n’ Axe

I re-dedicated myself to the mission I had taken on years ago after my father passed on. I broadened my radius of travel and offered more shows to the elderly and disabled veterans in all of New England. I thank and honor my father and his vanishing generation in this way. And I also thank the young soldiers sacrificing for us today.

Tin Whacker

is a nickname for a sheet metal mechanic which is one of my other practical skills. I used to work with machinery that produced more decibels than the loudest metal band you could name.

Sweeping House

is a tribute to Son House.

Twelve Strings For Jimi

is for Jimi.

***In case you're interested, a brief Bio***

Billy Bruso is a native of central Massachusetts. He showed an interest in making music at the early age of five when his mother laid her acoustic guitar on his lap. He took lessons on drums then on the trumpet. Through the years he dabbled with the jaw harp, harmonica, flute, piano and violin but found his groove as a bass player in his first band which was an acoustic bluegrass quartet with no drummer. He quickly learned to keep a steady rhythm while delivering a solid bottom end. After five years performing at every conceivable type of venue, a re-location forced a band split.

He has played with many other fine musicians through the years. Eventually he decided to go solo in 1992. He dusted off his 6-string acoustic guitar and harmonica rack and hit the local solo acoustic circuit. Through the years he has performed with other musicians at choice venues as a sideman on bass for such notable performers as Big Al Downing, Shirley Lewis and Phil Keaggy.

These days most of his shows are private parties in New England, Florida and wherever it’s feasible. From time to time you can catch him at a local open mic or a club gig. His show is well worth the trip if you like great vocals and an enormous repertoire encompassing the most popular genres. He sings songs from the most famous artist's best songs to your favorite, requested, obscure deep cuts. His song list spans 3 centuries and is made up of Rock, Country, Blues, Celtic, Motown, Pop, Bluegrass, Patriotic, various Holiday songs, Funny Novelty songs, Gospel, Traditional American Folk and Campfire Sing Along songs. He performs a huge variety of monumental classics from yesterday and today. And of course he has hours of original material.

He always welcomes requests, saying, “I know thousands of songs by memory. I can sing songs all day from off the top of my head and never repeat one. But I like to do a lot of requests and audience participation songs if it’s appropriate. That way I know I’m giving someone what they want to hear which inspires me to do my best. I like having that connection with my audience. And if I don’t know the requested song, it gives me a reason to learn a new song before I visit that venue again.”

For the majority of the last decade, Billy has focused on building a solid base of repeat clients who love his professionalism, dependability and personable, approachable nature. He has accomplished this as a soloist with acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals. From time to time he used sidemen on bass and drums to kick it up a notch for dance venues.

He is available for hire 24/7 with or without amplification.

http://www.myspace.com/billybruso

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