Biography

Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, the city where DJ Alan Freed first coined the phrase “Rock and Roll”, singer / songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Billy Buchanan has a deep musical heritage. Digging into his father’s LPs at a very young age, he became a disciple of all the soul, blues, and rock trailblazers. Not only does this gritty song and dance man belt out the classics like nobody’s business, he is an exceptional, award winning songwriter. As a recording artist, Billy Buchanan has released seven solo albums, two albums with his former band Fusebox, and another album with the band Beehive. He’s had three Top 20 songs on the CCM charts and has performed in all 50 states and in 26 countries. As a sideman, he’s played bass, guitar, keyboards, or sang background vocals for many established artists, including Grammy winners Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait, and John Carter Cash. As a songwriter, he’s written songs with Dave Cobb, Busbee, Mike Hartnett, Marc Byrd, and other established writers. He was a Top 3 finalist in The PGA Tour Songwriting Competition, a winner of The Atlanta Local Music Award, a winner of The Battle for Florida Award, a Top 3 finalist in the Yamaha Music Showcase (two years in a row), and a Top 5 finalist in Buzz Magazine’s “Musicians For Homelessness” songwriting competition. He was nominated for a Dove Award for his role in the touring production, Hero The Rock Opera, and has been nominated for four Sunny Awards at The Sunburst Celebrity Impersonator’s Convention (including a win for “Best Website” in 2018). Even with all of this success, Billy has never forgotten where he came from and the artists that inspired him as a child. That is why he created his Pioneers of Rock ‘n Soul Show; To pay tribute to the city that he loves and the music that changed his life and the lives of millions around the world. Billy impersonates many of the soul and early rock legends including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, David Ruffin (from The Temptations) and many more. 

Billy has opened for or shared the stage with Tower of Power, Jersey Boys On Tour, Harry Connick Jr., Betty LaVette, The Four Tops, Morris Day and The Time, Chaka Khan, KC & The Sunshine Band, Funky Meters, Josh Turner, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Brothers Osborne, David Ryan Harris, Shawn Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer, JohnnySwim, The New Orleans Suspects, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars), Super Cat, G Love and Special Sauce, 24-7 Spyz, Switchfoot, Extreme, P.O.D, N’Dea Davenport (from The Brand New Heavies), Skillet, Alice In Chains, Rebecca St. James, Salt-n-Pepa, and Jennifer Nettles (from Sugarland) to name few. 

Back to performers