{"id":18098,"date":"2017-12-23T00:45:08","date_gmt":"2017-12-23T07:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/?p=18098"},"modified":"2017-12-23T00:47:32","modified_gmt":"2017-12-23T07:47:32","slug":"video-web-exclusive-interview-charles-billingsley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/2017\/12\/video-web-exclusive-interview-charles-billingsley\/","title":{"rendered":"Video &#038; Web-Exclusive Interview CHARLES BILLINGSLEY"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Video Feature &amp; Web-Exclusive Interview<\/h3>\n<h3>Musician:\u00a0 <strong>CHARLES BILLINGSLEY<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3>Video:\u00a0 \u201c<strong>Silver Bells<\/strong>\u201d<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g8BvoPIovVA\" width=\"660\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1><strong>CHARLES BILLINGSLEY SCORES RADIO HIT WITH \u201cSILVER BELLS\u201d FROM NEW ALBUM\u00a0<\/strong><em>IT\u2019S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN<\/em><\/h1>\n<p>Singer-songwriter Charles Billingsley\u00a0is currently enjoying success with his new holiday album\u00a0<em>It\u2019s Christmas Time Again<\/em>, recently released on Crest Music. After debuting at #3 on the iTunes Top 5 Holiday albums, his single \u201cSilver Bells\u201d is a solid pop adult holiday hit, maintaining a strong position inside the Top 20 on the Mediabase A\/C Holiday Chart.<\/p>\n<p>Seasoning traditional Christmas favorites with a classy big band sound, these tasteful arrangements evoke the stylized sound of traditional jazz and the American Songbook\u2014delivering a dose of classic holiday cheer to a modern audience. The song is currently #26 on Billboard\u2019s Adult Contemporary charts.<\/p>\n<p>Kicking off his career in the 90s as part of the Grammy-nominated NewSong, Billingsley spent three years with the band before embarking on a solo career. With over 3,000 shows and 24 releases to his name,\u00a0he has established himself. However,\u00a0<em>It\u2019s Christmas Time Again<\/em> is new step. He also has three published books.<\/p>\n<p>Recorded at the iconic EastWest Studios in Los Angeles, these treasured tunes were captured live with a full band in one studio.\u00a0Billingsley\u00a0swings with the sound of the band, which is reminiscent of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, presenting these vintage holiday tunes with big band flair. \u201cI hope you will love these nostalgic and beautiful arrangements, and that they complement your Christmas season,\u201d says Billingsley.<\/p>\n<p>We talked with Charles Billingsley about his career in music, his passion for big band jazz, and his new album <em>It\u2019s Christmas Time Again<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h1><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18106\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-3.jpeg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-3-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/h1>\n<h1><strong>CHARLES BILLINGSLEY Web-Exclusive Interview<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>with\u00a0<em>M Music &amp; Musicians<\/em>\u00a0magazine publisher, Merlin David<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>How did this new album, <em>It\u2019s Christmas Time Again<\/em>, evolve?<\/strong><br \/>\nThe last Christmas record I made was in 2007. It was a project for Kroger grocery stores. It was a fun and creative process, but I swore to myself that if I ever did another Christmas project, I would do it right\u2014just like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby did. It\u2019s been 10 years since my last one. The funding was just there. It seemed like the timing was right. I went for it and didn\u2019t pull any punches. We did this thing right. I hired the best producer, best arrangers, best singers and best players I could possible find, and the final project reflects their genius efforts. I could not be more pleased.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us a why you included \u201cSilver Bells\u201d on this album.<\/strong><br \/>\nI needed a mid-tempo classic. We strongly considered \u201cSnow\u201d from the <em>White Christmas<\/em> movie, but I just have always loved \u201cSilver Bells.\u201d So, I ultimately chose that song. I used to listen to Johnny Mathis\u2019 version all the time. In fact, I tried to get him to do a duet with me. But, I was unsuccessful in my attempts. When the guys came back to me with their idea for the arrangement, I loved it. It is the first song we recorded on the big studio day, and it\u2019s probably not as tight as the rest of the tunes from a band perspective, but it just feels really great.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This album evokes the stylized sound of traditional jazz and the American Songbook. As a trumpet player, was this album a long time dream finally realized?<\/strong><br \/>\nOh yes. I have always wanted to make a record with every one of the players in the same room. We just don\u2019t do it that way anymore. And, it is really a shame. All the players and singers were having a blast with this thing. We all fed off the energy flowing from the room, and it was a magical experience\u2014especially recording in a room where some of the greatest songs in history were recorded. Frank Sinatra recorded \u201cNew York, New York\u201d from the same podium sitting in the room. It was an emotional and powerful day. It was so much fun to watch these amazing players walk across the room to get autographs from legends like Chuck Findley on trumpet\u2014sitting in the session with them. And we were able to have Jorge Vivo engineer and mix it all. He\u2019s absolutely brilliant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What Christmas albums did you grow up listening to?<\/strong><br \/>\nI was a big fan of the Johnny Mathis \/ Frank Sinatra \/ Nat King Cole era\u2014for Christmas music. I never listened to those guys beyond the Christmas season. But when it came to the Holidays, I always loved their classic sounds. When people hear this project, I want them to feel like they stepped back into the 40s. I love Michael Buble\u2019s Christmas record, and I\u2019m a huge fan of Harry Connick Jr. And if David Foster is involved, I\u2019m going to listen to it. Another favorite is George Winston\u2019s album <em>December<\/em>\u2014listened to that a few hundred times in college. (<em>Laughs<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which song are you especially glad made it onto this album?<\/strong><br \/>\n\u201cO Holy Night\u201d has to be in the Top 5 of my favorite songs\u2014ever. So when my producer, Tim Davis, arranged and created this incredible acapella version, it immediately became a favorite of mine. I\u2019m thrilled to have it here. It so beautifully tells the true meaning of Christmas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How does this album differ from your 2007 <em>Christmas <\/em>album?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy 2007 Christmas project was a wonderful and creative experience. We pulled together a fantastic rhythm section, and many of the songs are one take vocals\u2014live in the studio. It was fun to make, and I had a wonderful producer named Derek Nakamoto. But this time, I wanted to go big band, big orchestra\u2014with a classic Christmas sound. Tim Davis has been a good friend for a long time, but we\u2019d never worked together on a project. It was an amazing experience and my eyes were opened to his brilliance. I feel very fortunate that he took the time, along with Tony Guerrero, who did all the big band arrangements. They were incredibly helpful.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18105\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-2.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Who inspired you to write songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nAlthough I didn\u2019t write any songs on this project, I do write a lot of my own material. I\u2019ve been inspired by writers from all over the spectrum\u2014Phil Collins, Diane Warren and Michael Bolton to Christian writers like Scott Krippayne and Michael Neale. All these writers have the same trait to me. They communicate a message in a clear and concise way, yet it is creative, cool and always has a great hook for the listener to remember.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us a little about your creative process.<\/strong><br \/>\nI usually start with a hook or an idea I\u2019ve heard. Then I connect with a music writer and we just start down the road of trying things. It\u2019s a crazy process, and you have to leave your ego at the door. No idea is a bad one. Eventually, the <em>magic<\/em> happens and we are able to come up with the right lyric with the right melody. That said, I\u2019m quite good at writing bad songs. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) You will hopefully never hear one of those.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What songwriting tip would you like to offer?<\/strong><br \/>\nIt ain\u2019t over until it says what you want to say\u2014in the best possible way, and in the most creative and concise way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us about writing with someone like Brian White. How did that inform your songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nYou mean Brian White &amp; Justice? He\u2019s a prolific writer. He\u2019s written many #1 hits in Christian circles. Not only is he a ton of fun to be around but he\u2019s got a great heart. I have recorded several of Brian\u2019s songs and we have collaborated on a lot of songs from my past projects\u2014particularly songs produced by Don Cook. Over the years, I\u2019ve had a total of seven #1 hits in Christian music\u2014four of them with a group, and three solo, and Brian wrote on at least two of those three hits.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18104\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-4.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-4-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-4-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us one experience where something unique inspired you to write a song.<\/strong><br \/>\nThe first song I ever wrote came from a sparrow that landed on a window sill one early morning as I was worrying about my future during college. I wrote a poem about that sparrow, and it became my first recorded song.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which instruments\/equipment can you not live without?<\/strong><br \/>\nWe always write from either an acoustic guitar or a piano. Since I am primarily a lyricist, I need a creative music writer with me. Recently, it\u2019s been Michael Neale from Dallas, Texas\u2014who has helped me put music and words to ideas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 musicians who inspired you to become a musician?<\/strong><br \/>\nPhil Collins, Luciano Pavarotti, Journey, Larnelle Harris, Sting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 favorite albums of all time?<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Pyromania <\/em>(1983) \u2013 Def Leppard<br \/>\n<em>Serious Hits\u2026 Live!<\/em> (1990) \u2013 Phil Collins<br \/>\n<em>Brand New Day<\/em> (1999) \u2013 Sting<br \/>\n<em>Continuum<\/em> (2006) \u2013 John Mayer<br \/>\n<em>Shelter Me<\/em> (1996) \u2013 Richard Page<\/p>\n<p><strong>What PRO (Performing Rights Organization) are you with?<\/strong><br \/>\nASCAP. I have not written enough to get too involved with them. I know they are a great resource, but I haven\u2019t spent enough time in that arena.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us a \u201cpinch me\u201d moment where you thought, \u201c<em>Wow, this is really happening to me!<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><br \/>\nThere have been so many amazing moments over the years. The first time I sang at Carnegie Hall was amazing. I was also recently with Jonathan Cain (Journey) and he asked me to sing \u201cDon\u2019t Stop Believin\u2019\u201d with him\u2014that was cool for me and my band. And the first time I sang in an arena was the New Orleans Superdome. Also, a concert with Michael W. Smith on the southern steps of the temple in Jerusalem, and opening for Amy Grant on the House of Love Tour. And one that I can\u2019t forget\u2014while recording a song called \u201cKyrie,\u201d which has a very strong and heart-wrenching lyric, I was doing the vocal at the same moment that TWA Flight 800 exploded over New York City. It was a powerful and heartbreaking moment. Oh, I sang for President Bush three times. And recording this Christmas album\u2014that whole day was like being in a dream.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18102\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you remember the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes, I do. I was a newlywed, and my bride and I were on our honeymoon. We weren\u2019t able to take a honeymoon right after the marriage because I was on tour with the group NewSong. About six months after our marriage, and after the tour had completed along with the recording of a new record with the group, we were finally able to get away. We landed in Los Angeles and were headed down to Huntington Beach when I started flipping through the FM channels. I stopped on K-LOVE, a Christian station. I knew the song they were playing, but I couldn\u2019t recognize the singer. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) I said to my wife, \u201cWow, I know every word of this song!\u201d She said, \u201cThat\u2019s because it\u2019s <em>you<\/em>.\u201d (<em>Laughs<\/em>) I almost ran off the road. I was shocked and totally thrilled to hear our song on the radio\u2014and in Los Angeles, no less.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How does writing books provide a creative outlet for you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI love to write in order to encourage other people in life\u2019s journey. Life can be hard. We all go through deep and sometimes dark valleys. My hope is that in writing devotions and short words of encouragement, people will be enlightened to a better way to live\u2014showing that there truly is hope over the horizon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did your time with NewSong and the success of those albums inform your solo career?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy days in NewSong were extremely important. It shaped my career. That time helped me determine what kind of artist I wanted to be\u2014what kind of communicator I should become. I am very grateful for that time. We had an absolute blast together, both on and off the stage. I wouldn\u2019t trade that time for anything. It was not without its challenges, but then again, nothing of any significance ever is.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice someone has given you?<\/strong><br \/>\nIt came from an old pastor friend of mine. He reminded me that singing isn\u2019t just music, it is communication. It\u2019s not just about having a good voice\u2014it\u2019s about communicating a message. I always tell myself, communication isn\u2019t about what I say\u2014it\u2019s about what <em>they <\/em>hear. This advice literally changed how I approach singing or writing a lyric. I\u2019m trying to communicate something of meaning to people\u2019s lives. So I am drawn to songs that teach me something or really make me think about something important and meaningful.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18101\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-1.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Charles-Billingsley-1-300x451.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice you\u2019d like to give upcoming musicians, or your teenage self?<\/strong><br \/>\nBe yourself. Determine who you are and what your message is, and stay true to it. In a world of fake personas, gimmicks and hype, people will be drawn to your authenticity. Then, be the best. Whatever it takes, develop the discipline to become the best you can possibly be in your genre\u2014both personally and professionally. You get one shot at life. Make it count. Finally, I would warn against letting success get you too high, or failures getting you too low. You are guaranteed to have both. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) Success in the music industry is largely based on whatever you have done lately. Remember, things are never quite as good as they seem, but they are never quite as bad either. If you live for just the ups, you will get depressed when you have a down turn. Instead, base your career around enjoying the process. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Work to develop a fan base that is loyal to you because they love <em>you<\/em>. If you are loyal to them, and allow them to see your authenticity, they will follow you for years\u2014and you will have a long and wonderful career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m enjoying performing these Christmas concerts, and lots of music ahead. I\u2019ll also be writing for a live worship project from my church\u2014to be recorded in the fall of 2018. I\u2019m having the time of my life, so I don\u2019t plan to slow down anytime soon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where can your new fans get more info and stay updated?<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.CharlesBillingsley.com\">www.CharlesBillingsley.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Twitter:\u00a0 @cbillingsley<br \/>\nFacebook Fan Page:\u00a0 Charles Billingsley<br \/>\nYouTube Channel:\u00a0 Charles Billingsley<br \/>\nInstagram:\u00a0 charlesbillingsley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Video Feature &amp; Web-Exclusive Interview Musician:\u00a0 CHARLES BILLINGSLEY Video:\u00a0 \u201cSilver Bells\u201d \ufeff CHARLES BILLINGSLEY SCORES RADIO HIT WITH \u201cSILVER BELLS\u201d FROM NEW ALBUM\u00a0IT\u2019S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN Singer-songwriter Charles Billingsley\u00a0is currently enjoying success with his new holiday album\u00a0It\u2019s Christmas Time Again, recently released on Crest Music. After debuting at #3 on the iTunes Top 5 Holiday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7725],"tags":[10465,10466,7081,6271,8500,10302,9727,9728,3879,10467,10468,10469,10470,10471,10472,8143,2183,10473,8132,10474,10475,3990,3886,10476,10477,1008,10478,8155,8935,10479,1674,10480,4836,10481,1637,10482,10483,10484,10485,9772,8888,10161,7566,10486,3010,10487,10335,10488,10489,7978,10490,10491,10492,10493,2323,10494,10495,10496,10497,10498,620,10499,8560,10500,10501,10502,10503,8157,10504,7982,10361],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18098"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18098"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18108,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18098\/revisions\/18108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18100"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}