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. Current musicians like Ray Lamontagne, Amos Lee, Cee Lo Green, 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 now 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, Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars), G Love and Special Sauce, Switchfoot, Funky Meters, P.O.D, The Four Tops, Alice In Chains, 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 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.
Reviews
"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
