Billy Buchanan - The Artist

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Video was recorded and edited by Branan Ward and his staff at www.WardMediaGroup.com
While most of his contemporaries are following the fads of the day, Billy Buchanan is heavily influenced by artists that are based in a more soulful, bluesy singer - songwriter tradition. Modern musicians like Ray Lamontagne, and Amos Lee, soul greats such as Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and southern rockers like The Doobie Brothers, and The Allman Brothers are just a few of the artists that pop in your mind when you hear Billy Buchanan’s latest album, The Music Man. Unapologetically wearing his influences on his sleeve, Buchanan borrows from the best, all the while creating his own unique blend of soul and southern rock. With help from his band, Free Avenue, Buchanan takes you on a fun filled musical journey that chronicles the experiences of a life long musician. Carefully wrapped in clever beats, soaring melodies, skillfully crafted chord progressions, and thought provoking lyrics, Buchanan documents the joy, loneliness, sadness, faith, and doubt that encompasses a musician’s life. The first single being pushed to radio is the upbeat title track, "The Music Man". Originally from Cleveland, OH, Buchanan resides with his family in St. Augustine, FL and has also lived in Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN. From the age of 17, Buchanan honed his skills night after night in local venues. As an adult, his musical adventures have taken him to all 50 states and to over 25 countries. He has shared the stage with an amazingly diverse list of artists, including Shawn Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer, Morris Day and The Time, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars), Super Cat, G Love and Special Sauce, 24-7 Spyz, Switchfoot, KC & The Sunshine Band, Funky Meters, P.O.D, N'Dea Davenport (from The Brand New Heavies), Skillet, The Four Tops, Alice In Chains, Rebecca St. James, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Salt-n-Pepa, and Jennifer Nettles (from Sugarland), to name a few. His latest, album, The Music Man, can be found at iTunes, Amazon.com and most other digital retailers. His other two albums, Hold On, and Transparent, are also available. Recently, Buchanan was written up in Ignition Music Magazine, The Compass, Music Connection Magazine, The Florida Times Union, The Underground, Folio Weekly, I Want A Buzz Magazine, The St. Augustine Record, Ocala Star Banner, and The Ponte Vedra Recorder. Billy Buchanan & Free Avenue Billy Buchanan - Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Darnell Craig - Keyboards, Vocal Jay Callicott - Drums Jesse Leach - Electric Guitar, Vocal Solo Artist The Music Man (2011 release) • Written, arranged, performed, and produced by Billy Buchanan • First album which features his band, Free Avenue • Released on Vision 1st Music Hold On (2009 release) • Written, arranged, performed, and produced by Billy Buchanan • Released on Vision 1st Music Beautiful Night (2008 release) • Written, arranged, performed (vocal, bass, acoustic) and produced by Billy Buchanan • Recorded live on June 20, 2008 • Released on Vision 1st Music Transparent (2007 release) • Written, arranged, performed (vocal, bass, acoustic, electric guitar) and produced by Billy Buchanan • First single, “Child of God, “ chosen as the theme song to the LCMS National Youth Gathering 2007 • Co-wrote tracks with Marc Byrd (God of Wonders - Mac Powell/Caedmon’s Call), Rob Hawkins (David Crowder, Jackson Waters) • Released on Vision 1st Music Fusebox (lead singer, guitar, bass) Once Again (2004 release) • The title track, “Once Again”, reached # 11 on the national AC charts. • 7 of the 10 songs on the album were written or co-written by Billy Buchanan. • The album includes unique versions of “Once Again” (Matt Redman) and “You Are So Beautiful” (Joe Cocker). • Produced by Mac Powell (Third Day), Otto Price (DC Talk, Sonic Flood, Barlow Girl), Quinlan (Benjamin Gate, Hero), and co-produced by Billy Buchanan, Joel Smallbone, and Ainslie Grosser. • Performed in over 25 countries, including Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, and Peru. • Released on Elevate / EMI Records, album sold 40, 000 copies Lost in Worship (2002 release) • The single “Every Move I Make” debuted in the Top 30. • Featured Grammy Award winner Rebecca St. James on the song “Light the Fire”. • Produced by Otto Price (DC Talk, Sonic Flood, Barlow Girl). • Released on Elevate / EMI Records, album sold 25, 000 copies Rebecca St. James (guitar, background vocals) • Toured as Rebecca St. James’ guitarist on three world tours (2000 – 2004). • Was also the opening act on all of Rebecca St. James’ tours (2000 – 2004) • Appeared in her “Let My Words Be Few” video Beehive (lead singer, bass, guitar) Aftermath (1999 release) • Signed a developmental deal with Forefront / EMI Records (1999) • Opened up for Switchfoot, Morris Day and The Time, Skillet, and The Four Tops to name a few. Buzz Bits (1997 release) • Won Atlanta Music Award for Best R&B Group • Opened for Shawn Mullins, KC and The Sunshine Band, G. Love and Special Sauce, and Funky Meters to name a few Skindeep (bass, background vocals) • Billy joined this band as a teenager. • Recorded EP with Grammy winning producer, Brendan O'Brien • Top 5 Finalists in Yamaha Music Showcase in Los Angeles, CA two years in a row (Randy Jackson, and Robin Zander were two of the judges) • Opened for Alice In Chains, Extreme, and Mother's Finest to name a few
"Billy Buchanan is a vibrant frontman who makes each track a statement of faith and hope". – Billboard Magazine "The proof is in the pudding, and Buchanan's pudding is chock-full of various textures and ingredients accumulated from his myriad musical endeavors". - Ignition Music Magazine "The Music Man plays out in 10 tracks of groovy, heartfelt celebration". – Saint Augustine Underground "Buchanan has a soulful sound influenced by Otis Redding, Prince, Seal, John Mayer, and Stevie Wonder". – Florida Times Union “You can always tell when someone has the music in them. It doesn’t feel forced and it flows out naturally like a breeze. Billy Buchanan’s music is that breeze; you can feel it with every lyric that comes out of his mouth. Billy is the real deal, and I’m surprised he hasn’t broken into the next level yet.” – I Want A Buzz Magazine “Buchanan is a Florida based street corner philosopher who’s logged lots of live gigs, and his recording ably conveys his vocal chops and ability to craft a catchy number. Even when he casts a sad eye on our times (Hold On), he soothes us with reassuring tones.” – Music Connection Magazine "Buchanan's music is family friendly, even positive and uplifting." – Ocala Star Banner "His family of musicians, originally from Georgia, encouraged him as a child, influencing him with their southern roots." – Folio Weekly
(always being updated) Along with my original material, I perform songs from some of my favorite artists too. Here's a list: Darius Rucker & Hootie and the Blowfish Only want to be with you Come Back Song Train Hey soul sister Marry me Ceelo Green Crazy (Gnarls Barkley) Forget you Keith Urban Somebody Like You Black Eyed Peas I gotta feeling Dave Matthews Band Everyday Jack Johnson Flake You and your heart Upside down Kenny Chesney You and Tequila Adele Rolling in the deep Plain White T’s 1234 Aretha Franklin Respect Seal Kiss from a rose Crazy Rascal Flatts My wish Iron and Wine Such great heights Spin Doctors Two princes Ben Harper Steal my kisses Jason Mraz I’m yours Lucky Uncle Kracker Smile Drift away Shawn Mullins Lullaby Tim McGraw Live Like You Were Dying Earth Wind and Fire Let’s groove tonight Outkast Hey ya Otis Redding Dock of the bay That’s how strong my love is Try A Little Tenderness These Arms Of Mine Michael Franti and Spearhead Say Hey (I love you) Coldplay Fix you Yellow George Michael Careless whisper Faith John Mayer Waiting on the world to change No such thing Daughters Eagles I can’t tell you why Heartache Tonight Love Will Keep Us Alive Long Run Semisonic Closing Time James Brown I feel Good Get up off of that thang Sade Sweetest Taboo Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze Along the watchtower Fire Stone Free Amos lee Arms of a woman Keep it loose, keep it tight Sweat pea Windows are rolled down Prince Purple rain Kiss Let’s go crazy 1999 Sign of the times When doves cry Keb Mo Just like you Bobby Caldwell What you won’t do for love Kenny Loggins Danny’s song Babyface Every time I close my eyes When can I see you Lenny Kravitz Fly away It ain’t over till it’s over American Woman Natasha Bedingfield Unwritten Beatles Help Love me do Got to get you into my life Hey Jude Drive my car Sgt pepper’s lonely hearts club band I want to hold your hand Ray Lamontagne Trouble You are the best thing Van Morrison Have I told you lately Crazy love Wild Nights Sly and The Family Stone Stand Everyday People Stevie Wonder Superstition Isn’t she lovely Higher ground Sign sealed delivered, I’m yours Tears For Fears Mad World Everybody wants to rule the world Head over heels The Allman Brothers Ramblin man Whipping Post Staple Singers I’ll take you there The O’Jays Love train For the love of money Tom Petty Free Falling Running down a dream I won’t back down U2 Desire Pride (in the name of love) I still haven’t found what I’m looking for Where the streets have no name James Taylor Fire and rain Shower the people How sweet it is Kings of Leon Use somebody Pyro Sam Cooke A change is gonna come What a wonderful world You send me Cupid Michael Jackson Rock with you Who’s loving you The way you make me feel Man in the mirror Billie Jean Ray Charles Georgia I've got a woman Hallelujah, I love her so Percy Sledge When a man loves a woman Allison Krauss When you say nothing at all Bob Marley Three little birds One love Roots rock reggae Is this love Curtis Mayfield People get ready It’s all right Bill Withers Ain’t no sunshine Lean on me Grandma's hands Lovely day Heatwave Always and forever Eric Clapton Change the world Tears in heaven Marvin Gaye Ain’t nothing like the real thing What’s going on Mercy mercy me Hall and Oates Sara smile Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Dancing in the street Supertramp Give a little bit Michael Buble Everything Haven't met you yet Katrina and The Waves Walking on sunshine Josh Groban You raise me up Joe Cocker You are so beautiful Bryan Adams Summer of 69 Somebody Tracy Chapman Give me one reason Fast car Bobby McFerrin Don’t worry, be happy Steve Miller Band Fly like an eagle Doobie Brothers Long train running Listen to the music Paul McCartney Let em in The Cars Just what I needed Terence Trent D’Arby Wishing well Sign your name Kool and the Gang Celebration Ladies night Sting and The Police Roxanne Every breath you take If I ever lose my faith in you Bruce Springsteen Fire Carol King It’s too late You’ve got a friend Edwin Hawkins Ooh child Bruno Mars Grenade Huey Lewis and The News The heart of rock and roll Bob Seger Old time rock and roll Black Keys Tighten up Cyndi Lauper Time after time Maroon 5 She will be loved This love Tony Rich Project Nobody knows it but me Robin Thicke Magic Sweetest love Temptations Papa was a rolling stone My girl Aint too proud to beg Justin Timberlake Rock your body Eagle Eye Cherry Save tonight Level 42 Something about you Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Somewhere over the rainbow / What a wonderful world Cage The Elephant Ain’t no rest for the wicked Duncan Sheik Barely breathing Mr. Mister Broken Wings Journey Faithfully Don’t stop believing Al Green Here I am, baby Let’s stay together Thompson Twins Hold me now Lay your hands on me Cameo Word up Commodores Brick house Easy Thin Lizzy Whiskey in a the jar Lynyrd Sknyrd / Bob Dylan / Cat Stevens Free Bird / Knocking On Heavens Door / Wild World medley Gap Band You dropped a bomb Sam & Dave Soul man Hold on, I'm coming The Black Crowes Hard to handle Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes If you don't know me by now The Rolling Stones Jumping Jack Flash