Hailing from Middletown, New Jersey, Shotgun Bill began playing bass in 1973, playing in bands throughout high school and college, before life eventually took him in a different direction. He has been working with Frank Patrouch since 2012, through a solo CD of Frank’s. This reunion prompted them to make a new record as a duo, 2015’s ‘One Good Line’, and hit the road, playing coffeehouses with their own brand of 70’s country rock. In 2016 he released “ Shotgun Bill- the B- Sides”. Also in 2016, Frank & Bill release another CD entitled “ Unplugged and Uncouth”. ( all titles on Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby and Band Camp and Spotify.) His music style is a blend of coffee house americana with an original singer / songwriter vibe.

In this interview spotlight, we chat with Shotgun Bill about influences, his newest project, the digital age and more.

Full Q&A along with links and a stream of My Girl available below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I grew up on the New Jersey Shore and started playing out in high school and college..but many years of real life kept me away from music and playing out in public until about 4 years ago where I teamed up with an old friend , Frank Patrouch, and started playing and recording. Since then we produced 3 albums, Frank Patrouch- “Whiskey & Revenge”, Frank & Bill- “One Good Line” and Frank & Bill-“Unplugged and Uncouth”. During this time I started working on my own project and last year I released Shotgun Bill- “The B-Sides”. Since then I have been out on my own playing my material at various local coffee housed and festivals here on the Jersey shore. My style of music is a sort of singer/ songwriter with a country vibe.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?

I started playing piano in 2nd grade, guitar in 3rd grade and trumpet in 4th grade…so I started in music quite early. But in high school I started playing the bass and stuck with that for years then on. One of the 1st bands I was in was with my 2 brothers, and had the bug ever since (since 1972). So I’ve been doing this for a long time. Luckily I have been financially stable and I have never needed music to pay my rent….so this also makes it easy to follow my dreams.

How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?

Shot Gun Bill- “The B-Sides” was different from the 3 previous releases since they were all my compositions, I play many of the instruments and produced it. Could it have been better, of course, but it is what it is and I like it. I enjoyed the project and stand behind my songs and believe in them. I also had the great pleasure of having my son play the drums on it, I waited for that for many years! Now I am am finishing my new album project. I have recorded 16 new tracks and have tried to be a little more creative in the instrumentation and have found an old friend to collaborate with. Just having a great time!

Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?

This is a great time to be a musician, ( as long as you can afford it!) You can record a cd and get it out there on the internet and all the music sites. While maybe you don’t recoup a bundle of cash, at least you can feel good about people listening and liking your tunes. You now have the freedom to produce, record and develop your own music and get it out to the masses!

Where can we follow you online and hear more music?

• My website
• www.reverbnation.com/shotgunbill
• www.facebook.com/Shotgunbill
• www.cdbaby.com/cd/shotgunbill
• I am also on Spotify and Itunes.

Anything else before we sign off?

Thanks for letting me rant…I am sending you one of my new tracks “My Girl”. I hope you like it.