<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><link itemprop="additionalType" href="http://schema.org/Performer"/><link itemprop="mainEntityOfPage" href="https://www.facebook.com/BillyBlockDocumentary/" /> {{Infobox musical artist_micro| honorific_prefix = | name = Billy Block| honorific_suffix = | image = | image_size = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->| alt = | caption = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = William Donald Block| alias = Mr. Nashville| birth_date = {{birth date|1955|08|10}} | birth_place = [[Wikipedia:Houston, Texas|Houston, Texas]]| origin = [[Wikipedia:Houston, Texas|Houston, Texas]]| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|03|11|1955|08|10}}| death_place = | genre = #REDIRECT [[Wikipedia:Alternative country|Alternative country]], [[Wikipedia:Americana|Americana]]| Occupations = Musician, journalist, broadcaster| instrument = | years_active = 1972–2015 | label = | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/BillyBlockDocumentary/|Billy Block Documentary (Facebook)}}| notable_instruments = drums, bass| module = | module2 = | module3 = }} <div itemprop="description">'''Billy Block''' (August 10, 1955 - March 11, 2015) also known as Mr. Nashville,<ref name="Mr Nashville"/> was a musician, journalist, actor, publisher, television and radio personality. Block was a tireless promoter of independent musicians, primary in the [[Wikipedia:Alternative country|Alternative country]] - [[Wikipedia:Americana|Americana]] genres. He hosted ''Billy Block's Western Beat'', a live concert-format radio show for over thirty years.<ref name="WKRN Mr. Nashville - radio"/></div></div> ==Background==At age 15, Block worked around his school schedule in a music store and playing clubs in the Houston, Texas area with artists: Shake Russell, [[Wikipedia:B.W. Stevenson|B.W. Stevenson]], [[Wikipedia:Roger Tause|Roger Tause]] and [[Wikipedia:Billy Joe Shaver|Billy Joe Shaver]]. [[Wikipedia:Huey P. Meaux|Huey Mo]] hired Block at Sugar Hill Studios where he played drums on two [[Wikipedia:Freddy Fender|Freddy Fender]] albums.<ref name=pureMusicInterview/> Primarily a drummer, Block is credited with bass on ''Elvis: The First Live Recordings'' (1984).<ref name="AllMusic Elvis"/> Block was also the Houston editor of ''Buddy Magazine''.<ref name="MusicRow Billy Passes"/> In 1985, Block moved to Venice, California, he landed a job as the house drummer for the [[Wikipedia:Palomino Club (North Hollywood)|Palomino Club]] for the ''Ronnie Mack Barn Dance'' show in 1987, he held the job until his departure This article has been submitted to [[Wikipedia:Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] in 1995. Block also worked as a bandleader, actor, dancer and singer at [[Wikipedia:The Walt Disney Company|The Walt Disney Company]]. A national commercial for Disney led to additional commercials accepted for Carrows Restaurantspublication, [[Wikipedia:Miller beer|Miller beer]] and [[Wikipedia:Kentucky Fried Chicken|Kentucky Fried Chicken]].<ref name=pureMusicInterviewOnline /><ref name=pureMusicInterview /> In 1991, Block met and married his wife Jill Rochlitz,<ref name="| Almanac Online | 2003"/> and ''Western Beat'' was created at the Highland Grounds coffee house in [[Wikipedia:Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] in the same year. The first ''Western Beat'' show included: [[Wikipedia:Wendy Waldman|Wendy Waldman]], [[Wikipedia:Rick Vincent|Rick Vincent]], [[Wikipedia:Jim Lauderdale|Jim Lauderdale]], slide guitarist Jimmy Sloan, Mandy Mercier and Annie Harvey among others.<ref name=pureMusicInterview/> ==''Western Beat''== Increasing the show's reach in 1993, ''Western Beat'' hosted a showcase of Los Angeles artists at the [[Wikipedia:Wildhorse Saloon|Wildhorse Saloon]] in Nashville. By 1995, Billy and Jill were interested in owning a home and starting a family, they were considering Nashville. Block had been writing for [[Wikipedia:Music Connection|''Music Connection'']] magazine for six years, and his band, the Zydeco Party Band, was calling it quits, Block took a writing gig at [[Wikipedia:Music Row Magazine|''Music Row Magazine'']] in 1995.<ref name=pureMusicInterview/> ::"It was a great place to start in Nashville, because ''Music Row Magazine'' is the epicenter of the industry. All the information about everything comes through that office. [...] Working there put me on the fast track into the very heart of Nashville. Six months into my tenure at Music Row, I got a call from Woody Bomar to start doing some sessions with [[Wikipedia:John Scott Sherrill|John Scott Sherrill]]." :::-- '''Billy Block''', "A Conversation with Billy Block, Western Beat Impresario", by Frank Goodman, September 2001. In 1999, ''Billy Block’s Western Beat Roots Revival'' began airing on Saturday nights now available on [[Wikipedia:WSIX-FM|WSIX-FM]] Nashville, the five hour show previously aired on Power Country 102.9 (WZPC) until the station moved to a rock format.<ref name="Radio 1999 Billboard"/> ''Western Beat With Billy Block'' premiered on [[Wikipedia:CMT (U.S. TV channel)|Country Music Television]] (CMT) on July 2, 2003, featuring guest performers, [[Wikipedia:Trisha Yearwood|Trisha Yearwood]], [[Wikipedia:Allison Moorer|Allison Moorer]] and [[Wikipedia:Lonesome Bob|Lonesome Bob]]. <ref name="CMT 2003"/> The show was short lived, other artists included: [[Wikipedia:Gary Allan|Gary Allan]], [[Wikipedia:Hank Williams III|Hank Williams III]], [[Wikipedia:The Derailers|The Derailers]], [[Wikipedia:Michael McDonald (singer)|Michael McDonald]], [[Wikipedia:Buddy and Julie Miller|Buddy and Julie Miller]], [[Wikipedia:Ralph Stanley|Ralph Stanley]], [[Wikipedia:Allison Moorer|Allison Moorer]], [[Wikipedia:BR549|BR549]] and Kevin Gordon.<ref name="CMT’s Block Party"/><ref name="USA Today"/> == Passing ==Block's passing at age 59 in 2015, was a shock to the community. His fight with cancer was documented in [[Wikipedia:Nashville Scene|''Nashville Scene'']] magazine,<ref name="Nashville Scene 2014"/> he was eulogized in [[Wikipedia: USA Today|''USA Today'']],<ref name="USA Today"/> [[Wikipedia:CMT (U.S. TV channel)|''CMT'']]<ref name="Shelburne 2015"/> [[Wikipedia:Music Connection|''Music Connection'']] magazine,<ref name="Music Connection Magazine 2015"/> and [[Wikipedia:Taste Of Country|''Taste Of Country'']] magazine.<ref name="Taste of Country 2015"/> Block is survived by his wife Jill and sons Rocky and Grady Block, Micheal Hughes and Shandon Mayes.<ref name="USA Today"/> * Nashville Downtown Partnerships sponsored Billy Block Day concerts in 2016 and 2017.<ref name="Downtown Nashville 2016"/><ref name="Downtown Nashville 2017"/> == Discography =={| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"|+ Billy Block Discography<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web | title=Billy Block - Credits | website=AllMusic | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-block-mn0000082425/credits | access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>! Year !! Album !! Artist !! Role|-| 1973 || ''Apothecary'' || Apothecary || Bass|-| 1977 || ''If You Don't Love Me'' || Freddy Fender || Drums|-| 1984 || ''Elvis: The First Live Recordings'' || Elvis Presley || Bass|-| 1990 || ''King Cake Party'' || Doug Legacy || Drums, Rub|-| 1991 || ''Cutting Their Own Groove'' || Big Daddy || Guest Artist, Drums|-| 1991 || ''Fables and Other Realities'' || John Trudell || Drums, Percussion|-| 1992 || ''20 More Explosive Fantastic Rockin' Mega Smash Hit Explosions!'' || || Drums, Percussion|-| 1992 || ''AKA Grafitti Man'' || John Trudell || Piano, Percussion|-| 1992 || ''Town South of Bakersfield, Vol. 3'' || || Drums, Tambourine|-| 1992 || ''Traveler'' || California || Drums|-| 1993 || ''Conmemorativo: A Tribute to Gram Parsons'' || || Percussion|-| 1994 || ''Johnny Damas and Me'' || John Trudell || Drums, Percussion|-| 1994 || ''Kindred Way'' || Kindred Way || Drums|-| 1994 || ''Land of Hope and Crosby'' || The Coal Porters || Drums, Timbales|-| 1994 || ''Vol. 1: Rhythm & Folk'' || Kindred Way || Drums|-| 1995 || ''Big Hits'' || Tony Orlando || Drums|-| 1995 || ''Los London'' || The Coal Porters || Drums|-| 1995 || ''Next Time'' || Katie Trickett || Musician|-| 1996 || ''Invisible Birds'' || Will Ray || Drums|-| 1996 || ''Man Like Me'' || Alan Boivin || Drums|-| 1996 || ''Rebels Without Applause'' || The Coal Porters || Drums, Percussion|-| 1998 || ''Pink & Black'' || Rick Vito || Drums|-| 1998 || ''Real: The Tom T. Hall Project'' || || Drums|-| 1999 || ''R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop'' || || Editorial Director|-| 2000 || ''Fire, Honey and Angels'' || The Walt Wilkins Band || Drums, Percussion|-| 2000 || ''The Best of Big Daddy'' || Big Daddy || Drums|-| 2000 || ''Wisteria'' || Robin Pearl || Drums|-| 2001 || ''The Fine Print'' || Mark Islam || Drums|-| 2002 || ''Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash'' || || Vocals, Drums|-| 2002 || ''Rivertown'' || Walt Wilkins || Drums|-| 2002 || ''Time Spent'' || Shake Russell Band || Drums|-| 2003 || ''Rockin' Thru the Years'' || Billy Adams || Producer|-| 2003 || ''You're Not Alone'' || Essra Mohawk || Drums|-| 2004 || ''Bac'' || Mike Cullison || Drums, Musician|-| 2004 || ''Teardrops & Diamonds'' || The Woodys || Additional Personnel, Drums|-| 2004 || ''The Best of Zydeco Party Band'' || Zydeco Party Band || Vocals, Drums, Rubboard|-| 2004 || ''The Blue Side'' || Ericson Holt || Drums|-| 2004 || ''Uncomplicated'' || Ellis Hooks || Drums|-| 2005 || ''Godson of Soul'' || Ellis Hooks || Main Personnel, Drums|-| 2005 || ''Honeycomb'' || Frank Black || Main Personnel, Drums|-| 2005 || ''Texas Fed, Texas Bred: Redefining Country Music, Vol. 1'' || || Vocals, Drums|-| 2005 || ''The Hand of God'' || Ellis Hooks || Main Personnel, Drums|-| 2005 || ''Think of Me'' || Little Milton || Drums|-| 2005 || ''To: Kate - A Benefit for Kate's Sake'' || || Producer, Drums, Percussion|-| 2006 || ''15 Years Crazy Music'' || || Primary Artist|-| 2006 || ''American Music: The Hightone Records Story [Box Set]'' || || Tambourine|-| 2006 || ''Fast Man Raider Man'' || Frank Black || Main Personnel, Drums, Vocals (Background)|-| 2006 || ''Lucky Star'' || Buck Jones || Producer, Drums|-| 2006 || ''Sailover'' || P.F. Sloan || Drums, Tabla, Tambourine, Percussion|-| 2007 || ''93-03'' || Frank Black || Musician|-| 2007 || ''Another Saturday Morning'' || Ellis Hooks || Drums|-| 2007 || ''Another Sleepless Night'' || David Serby || Drums|-| 2007 || ''Intuition'' || Betty Harris || Drums|-| 2008 || ''Detachment'' || Pete Mroz || Drums, Musician|-| 2008 || ''Hello Cruel World'' || Mars Arizona || Drums|-| 2008 || ''Is Anybody Out There?'' || Garnet Mimms || Drums|-| 2008 || ''Some Unfinished Business, Vol. 1'' || Walter Hyatt || Drums, Percussion|-| 2009 || ''Alchemy'' || Tom Mason || Vocals, Drums|-| 2011 || ''Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales'' || Steve Cropper || Photography, Tambourine|-| 2011 || ''The Collection 1983-1992'' || John Trudell || Drums, Percussion|-| 2012|| ''Shortcuts To Infinity/Symptomology'' || Stephen Kalinich / Jon Tiven / Yo Ma Ma || Drums, Guest Artist|-| 2012 || ''Stick Pony'' || Bum Steers || Composer|-| 2015 || ''Needle in a Haystack'' || Ellis Hooks || Drums|-| 2016 || ''Break Time'' || Garry Tallent || Washboard|-| 2017 || ''Battle Creek Transit Authority: Live in Concert'' || Brass Band of Battle Creek || Composer|-| 2017 || ''Honkin' & Jivin' at the Palomino!'' || Big Jay McNeely || Drums|} == References == {{Reflist|refs=<!--<ref name=cmtAnnounce>{{cite web|title=CMT News|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1476546/cmts-block-party.jhtml|work=CMT's Block Party|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Country Music Television]]|accessdate=26 January 2013|date=17 March 2000|quote=Since Billy Block, Nashville's infamous banner-waver of alt. country, began his Western Beat Roots Revival show in 1996, he has showcased the best of Americana music from country to folk to rockabilly.}}</ref> --> <ref name=pureMusicInterviewOnline>{{cite web|title=Pure Music Interview |last=Goodman|first=Frank|url=http://www.puremusic.com/cover10.html|work=A Conversation with Billy Block, Western Beat Impresario|publisher=Pure Music|accessdate=26 January 2013|pages=6|date=September 2000|archive-date= 26 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527053250/http://www.puremusic.com/cover10.html|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name=pureMusicInterview>{{cite news|last1=Goodman|first1=Frank|url=http://www.puremusic.com/pdf/billyblock.pdf|title=A Conversation with Billy Block, Western Beat Impresario|accessdate=15 March 2015|publisher=PureMusic|date=September 2001|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315175123/http://www.puremusic.com/pdf/billyblock.pdf|archive-date=15 March 2015}}</ref> <!--<ref name=CST>{{cite news|title=Billy Block, CMT hope they have the beat, the Western Beat|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/article.asp?xid=863|accessdate=26 January 2013|newspaper=Country Standard Time|author=Jeffrey B. Remz|month=June|year=2000|quote="Western Beat is a new brand of country that broadens the parameters of what is widely considered country music," Block says. "We include everything from rock to rockabilly and blues to bluegrass creating a diverse format that appears to a broad demographic.}}</ref> --> <!--<ref name=CMT>{{cite web|title=CMT Salutes Country's Independence: Alt-Country Bows in New Show From Nashville|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1472613/cmt-salutes-countrys-independence-alt-country-bows-in-new-show-from-nashville/|work=Alt-Country Bows in New Show From Nashville|publisher=CMT Music|accessdate=26 January 2013|author=Shannon Wayne Turner|date=30 June 2000}}</ref>--> <ref name="MusicRow Billy Passes">{{cite news|last1=Oermann|first1=Robert K.|title=LifeNotes: Americana’s Impresario Billy Block Passes|url=http://www.musicrow.com/2015/03/lifenotes-americanas-impresario-billy-block-passes/|accessdate=15 March 2015|publisher=MusicRow|date=11 March 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315172947/http://www.musicrow.com/2015/03/lifenotes-americanas-impresario-billy-block-passes/|archivedate=15 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="Mr Nashville">{{cite news|last1=Thanki|first1=Juli|title=Billy Block, 'Mr. Nashville,' dies at 59|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/03/11/billy-block-mr-nashville-passes-away/70167570/|accessdate=15 March 2015|publisher=[[Wikipedia:The Tennessean]]|date=12 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="WKRN Mr. Nashville - radio">{{cite web|author1=WKRN web staff|title=Longtime Nashville radio host Billy Block dies at 59|url=http://wkrn.com/2015/03/11/longtime-nashville-radio-host-billy-block-dies-at-59/|publisher=WKRN Nashville|accessdate=15 March 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315200955/http://wkrn.com/2015/03/11/longtime-nashville-radio-host-billy-block-dies-at-59/|archivedate=15 March 2015|date=11 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="CMT 2003">{{cite web|author1=Shannon Wayne Turner|title=CMT Salutes Country’s Independence: Alt-Country Bows in New Show From Nashville|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1472613/cmt-salutes-countrys-independence-alt-country-bows-in-new-show-from-nashville/|publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMT (U.S. TV channel)|CMT]]|accessdate=12 December 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212170941/http://www.cmt.com/news/1472613/cmt-salutes-countrys-independence-alt-country-bows-in-new-show-from-nashville/|archivedate=12 December 2015|date=12 June 2003}}</ref> <ref name="Radio 1999 Billboard">{{cite news|author1=Cheg Flippo|title=Nashville Scene|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mg0EAAAAMBAJ|accessdate=12 December 2015|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Billboard Magazine]]|date=29 May 1999|page=32}}</ref> <ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|title=Billy Block, champion of roots music, dies at age 59|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/03/11/billy-block-champion-roots-music-dies-age/70179754/|accessdate=15 May 2016|publisher=[[Wikipedia:USA Today]]|date=11 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="CMT’s Block Party">{{cite web|title=CMT’s Block Party|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1476546/cmts-block-party/|publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMT]]|accessdate=15 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515083327/http://www.cmt.com/news/1476546/cmts-block-party/|archivedate=15 May 2016|date=11 August 2003}}</ref> <ref name="| Almanac Online | 2003">{{cite web | title=Jill Block returns to her roots (June 04, 2003) | website=| Almanac Online | | date=2003-06-04 | url=https://www.almanacnews.com/morgue/2003/2003_06_04.jill.html | access-date=2018-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627014725/http://www.almanacnews.com:80/morgue/2003/2003_06_04.jill.html|archive-date = 2007-05-27}}</ref> <ref name="Nashville Scene 2014">{{cite web | title=Famed Nashville Radio Host and Drummer Billy Block Fighting Cancer | website=Nashville Scene | date=2014-01-06 | url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13052022/famed-nashville-radio-host-and-drummer-billy-block-fighting-cancer | access-date=2018-05-27 | archive-date=2018-05-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180527063424/https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13052022/famed-nashville-radio-host-and-drummer-billy-block-fighting-cancer|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="Shelburne 2015">{{cite web | last=Shelburne | first=Craig | title=Billy Block, Advocate for Alt-Country, Dies at 59 | website=CMT News | date=2015-03-11 | url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1751821/billy-block-advocate-for-alt-country-dies-at-59/ | access-date=2018-05-27| archive-date=2018-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527064059/http://www.cmt.com/news/1751821/billy-block-advocate-for-alt-country-dies-at-59/|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="Taste of Country 2015">{{cite web | title=Americana King Billy Block Dead at 59 | website=Taste of Country | date=2015-03-12 | url=http://tasteofcountry.com/billy-block-dead/ | access-date=2018-05-27|| archive-date=2018-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527064530/http://tasteofcountry.com/billy-block-dead/|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="Music Connection Magazine 2015">{{cite web | title=R.I.P. Billy Block | website=Music Connection Magazine | date=2015-03-11 | url=http://www.musicconnection.com/r-i-p-billy-block/ | access-date=2018-05-27|| archive-date=2018-05-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180527065629/http://www.musicconnection.com/r-i-p-billy-block/|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="Downtown Nashville 2017">{{cite web | title=Billy Block Day - Events Calendar | website=Downtown Nashville | date=2018-04-15 | url=https://www.nashvilledowntown.com/do/billy-block-day | access-date=2018-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527070242/https://www.nashvilledowntown.com/do/billy-block-day|archive-date=2018-05-27|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="Downtown Nashville 2016">{{cite web | title=Inaugural Billy Block Day Reunion Concert & Nashville Spirit Awards - Events Calendar | website=Downtown Nashville | date=2018-04-15 | url=https://www.nashvilledowntown.com/do/inaugural-billy-block-day-reunion-concert-and-nashville-spirit-awards | access-date=2018-05-27| archive-date=2018-05-27|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180527070838/https://www.nashvilledowntown.com/do/inaugural-billy-block-day-reunion-concert-and-nashville-spirit-awards|dead-url=no}}</ref> <ref name="AllMusic Elvis">{{cite web | title=Elvis: The First Live Recordings - Elvis Presley - Credits | website=AllMusic | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/elvis-the-first-live-recordings-mw0000862142/credits | access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> }} == External links ==* [http://www.producers.wiki/wiki/Billy_Block Producers.wiki -- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.]