Billy Lemons Jr. started performing at open mic nights around the
South Bend area in 1998. In August 1999 he established his own open mic night
and by October 2000 it increased from Wednesday Night to Wednesday and Friday
nights. His success gave him the opportunity to join his fellow musicians in
performing for private parties and benefits. In February 2001, Billy recorded
his first CD entitiled “Luni Tunes”. This CD received local air time on such
radio stations as WZOW and WAOR in South Bend, IN, and The Bear in Fort Wayne,
IN. In November 2001, WZOW held a Battle of the Bands contest. Each contestant
received 45 minutes of air time, in which Billy performed selections from his
CD. The song entitiled “I Don’t Drink Whiskey” was selected and re-recorded in
August 2002, for a compilation CD sponsored by WZOW, Budweiser, and Monastic
Chambers Recording Studio in Fort Wayne. This CD was entitled “Special Cuts 2002
Best of The Midwest’s Original Rock”. Available at Borders, Barnes & Noble,
and www.wzow.fm. In November 2002, Billy joined a well-established band called
Faultline, providing rhythm guitar, harmonica and lead vocals. The band has
opened shows for Travis Tritt, The Kentucky Head Hunters and The Charlie Daniels
Band. In January 2004 Billy toured with Rorey Wesney and The Unwound Band. Billy
also played with the staff band, “Boys from the Country” from the fall of ‘05
till June ’07. In May 2007, he also started his own dinner show and now performs with The CMR Band at the Newton
Center in Lakeville IN, sponsored by Hoosier Racing
Tire.
Billy Lemons Jr.
