Billy D. Rice hails from Canada and spent much of his life in Boca Raton, Florida. Rice’s music sits in the roots of country, but he evokes elements of country rock, country dance, and country hip-hop. His inspirations are as varied from Garth Brooks to Marvin Gaye to AC/DC. Rice is not only a talented musician and lyricist, he also is a car recondition expert. The message he relates to his fans is to “Enjoy life because it’s short.” No truer words have ever been spoken!
His latest single and music video for “The One I Love,” features Richard Rice singing harmonies and the breakdown, along with Ms. Bluepandora (Rice’s love interest in real life), dancing with raw, pure energy. Surrounding the group is farmland, horses, tractors, cowboy boots, and hats. Rapper Brian Bristow makes a guest appearance in the video, completing the full aesthetic of the video.
We caught up with Billy via email to chat about how his upbringing influences his music, his songwriting process with combining different genres of music, how being a car recondition expert gives him inspiration with his music, and what’s in store next for him and his music.
You’re originally from Canada, and spent time in Florida growing up. What was your familial upbringing when it comes to music?
Billy D. Rice: I have fond memories from when I was a kid and we’d go over to my uncle’s house to visit. It was usually Christmas time and my uncle and Dad would harmonize to gospel Christmas songs. Uncle Johnny would get inspired and pull out the pots, pans, and spoons to create percussion music to add to the Christmas melodies.
When we moved to Florida, I was in my teens and my Dad would enter a bunch of singing competitions at bars. He would usually win first prize when he did Elvis Presley impressions and would bring the party home with his fans. I remember my Dad performing songs like “Love Me Tender” and “Blue Suede Shoes” which really got the crowd going. That’s when I really started to delve into music.
I love the different styles of music you combine in your music. What’s the songwriting process like?
Billy: Growing up my brothers and sisters listened to all types of music as well as my parents. I combined different genres of music into what I think sounds good. That is why you’ll hear a little country, dance, rock’n’roll, and rap in my song “The One I Love”.
So, when I think of writing a song, I don’t think of any genre of music, I write from the heart. When I write music, I start with the chorus and melody first, and then after that, I write the verses. Once the song is written, I get together with my producer Tommy Gerencser who had a big hit with a group Kon Kan, “I beg your pardon,” and he builds the music around my melody and before you know it, the song is complete.
I’ve read you’re also a car recondition expert, while you’re pursuing your musical career. Do you find some overlap of inspiration from that side of your life when it comes to the music?
Billy: Yes, when I restore old and new cars, I am a perfectionist when it comes to my work. If you take a look at the Billy Buff Auto Spa website (https://www.billybuff.com), my work speaks for itself. I use this pursuit for perfection in my songwriting process. So, I try and make the song as fun and catchy as possible, then I hope the public will like it too.
Your latest single and music video for “The One I Love” features you, your love interest in the video and in real life, Ms. Bluepandora, and rapper Brian Bristow, with direction by Josh Tiller. There’s a lot of collabs going on here, along with farmland, horses, and tractors. Was the concept your idea initially, and what was the camaraderie like working on the video shoot?
Billy: The rapper Brian Bristow’s aunt owned a farm and when we realized that we knew we had to do the video there. Marsha, a.k.a Ms. Bluepandora, did an amazing job with the choreography, while Josh, Brian, and I bounced ideas off each other which made it quite easy to film the video. We all work well together and as you can tell, we had a really fun time making it and I think it shows.
What’s next for you and your music in 2021?
Billy: I am now working on my new single “Bump Stomp,” it’s a real upbeat country dance song that I am sure will get you out of your seat. I am also writing all the time on new stuff and I hope to have an album out by this summer. I’m really excited about it!
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Billy: My first concert was The Jackson Five, my sister took me there when I was twelve and it was the Triumph Tour. They started singing the song “Can You Feel It” in complete darkness then fireworks…The Jackson Five emerged from the smoke onto the stage. The stadium was full and the atmosphere was electric. Although I’ve been to a ton of concerts, I don’t think anything will compare to my first concert.
What was your first album on cassette, CD, and/or vinyl?
Billy: Believe it or not, it was the album We’ve Got Tonight by Kenny Rogers. “We’ve Got Tonight” was one of my favourite songs from Kenny Rogers, now I’ve dated myself. (laughs)
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Billy:
The artists I would not want to live without are:
Kenny Rogers
Prince
Garth Brooks
Led Zeppelin
Elvis Presley
This is because their music stood the test of time and are still enjoyed today. These are only five but there are so many more that I haven’t mentioned.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Billy: I love to listen to Justin Timberlake; he did a great duet with Chris Stapleton singing “Tennessee Whiskey” at the Country Music Awards.
What have you been reading, listening to, and/or watching?
Billy: I do have a martial arts background and achieved a third-degree Black belt, so I really watched a lot of martial arts movies growing up. One of my favourites was The Karate Kid. So recently, I got hooked onto the Cobra Kia series on Netflix.
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