John Billings has worked as a touring bass player with national acts including Donna Summer, Wynonna Judd, and Rick Springfield, as well as various incarnations and combinations of the ’60s pop superstars The Monkees.
My guest, John Billings, and I discuss:
- Jeff Dwoskin shares his Monkee memories with John who was at two of those concerts! The Monkees 50th Anniversary Show in Detroit and the Mike and Micky Show in Chicago.
- John Billings discusses working with Rick Springfield on the road
- John discusses giving up a career in the pawn show and leaving LA for Nashville whereas his musical career just took off!
- We discuss John's love of KISS and his favorite KISS songs
- Working with Donna Summer for 17 years and how he learned about her passing
- John makes a solid case that Donna Summer deserves the same treatment that other artists received after their passing
- John and Jeff draw and share comparisons of being on stage doing comedy vs music and how similar it is in terms so how the show is impacted by the energy of the audience
- Meeting and becoming a part of Micky Dolenz's band and ultimately a part of The Monkees.
- Touring with the Monkees and the freshness the Goodtimes album brought to the tour with its contributions of so many solid new Monkees songs
- John shares many touching memories of being with Michael Nesmith on the final tour before his passing
- John discusses Wine Down Nashville, a cozy little spot in the same little strip mall where you can get great wine and great entertainment.
- and much more!
You're going to love my conversation with John Billings
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