Bio Bill Scott has been playing, singing and composing music for more than 48 years. Born in New York City in 1948, you could say Bill was destined to be a musician coming from a family with many talents. His Great Grandmother Maurie sang with the New York City Opera and his great cousins Jeanie and Claire performed in vaudeville with George White Scandals and Zigfield Follies; even his great cousin George was a successful magician of the vaudeville era. His father, Bill, as a young man, worked at the history-making Audubon Ballroom in Harlem where he developed a deep appreciation for many different types of music. While at the ballroom he worked with and became friends with Maurice Hines Sr., later to form Hines, Hines and Dad. Bill can remember playing on the stage at the ballroom with Maurice Jr. and Gregory Hines. He got the “bug” early and it was all over but the shouting. At Lindenhurst High School on Long Island he started his vocal training by studying with his choir director and early mentor, Georgia Ruel. At that same time, Georgia also had another promising student in the choir, Pat Benatar. Another friend and classmate of Bill’s went on to be the “dad” in “The Wonder Years”, Dan Lauria. A pretty neat High School indeed. In 1968 Bill went to see and meet his idol, Tony Bennett at the famed Copacabana in New York. A picture of a 20 year old Bill with Tony Bennett is in the photo album section. This meeting, he will tell you, changed his life and he recommitted himself to his music career leaving college at New Paltz and forming the popular New York scene band “Happiness Is”. Not long after, Bill was “discovered” by the incredible “Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge”. Bill signed with their manager Betty Sperber and formed “Bluefield”. See photo section. In 1972 Bill moved to Europe and formed the group “Prisma”. After recording one unreleased album the band broke up. Bill stayed on and recorded some tracks with international recording artist Abi Ofram as well as recording independently with studio musician friends. Eventually he returned to New York. These friends, interestingly, became part of Donna Summers band. He still wonders if returning when he did was the wisest choice of his life. During that time in Munich, Bill became friends with one of Donna’s friends… singer, comedian, and impersonator extraordinaire, Udo Jansen. Udo and Donna were in the German production of “Hair” together and later often shared the bill in clubs and concerts. Bill and Udo have remained close friends all these years and a picture of them together in the Alps in 2006 is in the photo album section. In 1976 Bill, along with guitarist/pianist Linda “Tiger” Williams and guitarist/violist Bruce Morgan formed the group “Jack of Shadows” which fast developed a cult group following among the east coast college scene. Bootleg recordings of their live concerts spread but record companies were hesitant to sign their unique style and they disbanded after a few years leaving with many fond memories and many disappointed fans. In the early 80’s Bill contributed songs to three movie sound tracks, “Joysticks” which starred Joe Don Baker, “Hot Moves” which started the careers of several promising young actors and “Final Justice” which also starred Joe Don Baker and Rossano Brazzi. One of Bill’s biggest thrills was when SFMT 3000 featured “Final Justice” on one of their shows; he loved hearing the two robots and sidekick singing along with him. In the mid 80’s Bill lead the “Bill Scott Band”. For several years he was honored to have one of the greatest musicians and nicest guys he’s ever played with, Rob Barraco as his keyboardist/vocalist. He was thrilled to see Rob go on to play with Phil Lesh. Then when “The Grateful Dead” reformed as “The Dead”, Rob became one of the new Dead. Rob now is a full time member of the ultimate Dead tribute band “Dark Star Orchestra”. See pictures of Rob and Bill in the photo album section. Also in the 80s Bill composed two Broadway-style musicals. The first, written in New York, was “Doing Alright” with composer, pianist James Hart. Despite an enormous amount of celebrity support the musical was not produced. The second, written in London, was “Oh Dishy” based on Homer’s “The Odyssey”; the co-writer was British playwright, Clifford Frost, step-father to “Troggs” guitarist/flautist, Chris Britton. Today one of Bill’s closest friends is John Paiva; he met John back in the early 80’s; John has had an amazing career. In the 60’s he was musical director and guitarist for “The Platters”. He then joined “The Happenings” and enjoyed several hits with them. In the 70’s John became one of “Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons” performing on the biggest selling “Seasons” song “December 63, Oh What a Night”. John helped Bill in the early stages of “The Journey” during Bill’s trip to Munich in late 2006. Pictures of that trip are in the photo album section. Bill hopes that John will join him on tour as first Guitarist. For the last nine years Bill has been a Deputy Sheriff in Seminole County Florida. In 2006, he along with his partner Brian and other members of his squad received the Sheriff’s Commendation from Sheriff Donald Eslinger. Brian and he were face to face with a masked gunman and partner trying to escape from a home invasion. There was justification to use deadly force; however, they were able to arrest the men without loss of life or injury. The press conference that Bill did surrounding that event will be added to this website. Two years ago, after the loss of his mother-in-law Ann and of his mother Pat, along with a serious accident in his patrol car, Bill’s wife Gail suggested he put a small studio back in the house. He did and suddenly the songs came spilling out of him. He is convinced he is but a channel for their belief in his creative talents. After composing 15 new songs he knew he was on to something special. In March of 2007 Bill had the biggest break of his life. He met the brilliant producer Frank Starchak. There was magic in their working together right from the beginning. They finished the 12 songs on “The Journey” in December and this CD is a result of their efforts. Bill has now written 40 new songs and he’s hoping that “The Journey” is just the beginning. Enjoy “The Journey” and enjoy your own journey!