Billy Mickelson. Our oldest son. He was born to be a musician. From his earliest years, when he donned his father's headphones, listened to the music on the stereo, and sang to the top of his voice for all the world to hear, we knew that something wonderful was going to evolve from this little one! At the age of 2, he would climb up onto the stool in front of a drum set in a music store and bang on those drums to whatever beat was going on in his head. Or he would sit in his dad's lap at the piano or harpsichord and move his little fingers across the keys, making his own little sounds. At the age of 4 he was taking violin lessons (Suzuki) in Taos, New Mexico. And at the age of 14 he was given a guitar by his step-mom for Christmas, had only a month's worth of lessons, and the rest is history.
He has always had a beat going through his brain. His teachers couldn't stop him from drumming on his desk with a pencil and while driving, his hands are moving constantly to some unheard beat. Sometimes, I wish I could climb inside his head and hear what he hears and feel what he feels
When Billy was in High School, some of his friends and he got together and formed a rock band. After High School, that rock band morphed into "Mr. Potato!" His father and I attended some of his shows in Bend and Redmond, and, by golly, that boy was really good. His friends Beau (on drums) and () (On bass guitar) stayed with Billy for quite some time.
Eventually, Billy formed a few other bands with friends like Casey, who wrote some amazing blues songs, and Robert Kinisten to form Misle. Robert played the piano, and by this time, Billy had picked up and mastered the cello. From all of these groups, Billy eventually morphed into a solo cellist "band"called Third Seven (he does percussion and vocals and other sounds on his cello using a looping technique which turns out a song that sounds like he is not alone!)
In 2006 or '07, Billy took his music (Third Seven) on the road, traveling across country several times and then "over the pond" to Europe and Scandinavia to introduce his music to a new market. He was quite successful and completed three tours in Europe.
For several years, Billy pretty much stayed local in Bend, Oregon and would hit the road only a few times a year to play in various venues, festivals and has even finished a musical score for a movie short which had plans to open somewhere in the south last year with some success. He has decided that 12 years on the road has tired him out a bit, so he has slowed down.
I can't understand how the musical brain works. His dad has the same gift, but I only hear music in my head and can sing a tune here and there, but playing an instrument eludes me. I am just grateful for the gifts this young man has been given and the creative way he has shared them with the rest of the world.
Billy's dad and I recently moved to Arizona, and in the brutal winter this year, Billy decided to move south with us. He has been living with us (it is his base) for several months now, picking up some shows in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Come summer, he plans to return to Bend and escape the heat of Arizona. He says, "I'll probably become a Snowbird--escaping the winter for Arizona and the heat for Oregon."
Music is his life! He knew it early in his life, and with our support he had the courage to follow his dream. He has managed to make it as successful as he wants it. He does not crave fame or fortune, his only goal with his music is to bring some joy and sense of belonging to those who care to listen. He has traveled far and wide and has gathered many friends and loyal fans along the way. He doesn't ask for much in return, only the joy in his heart that he has pleased someone.
God bless you, son! I pray you can continue to share your gifts for a good many years to come, if that is your destiny. And as you continue to mature, I look forward to what new and creative melody you give voice to in the future.
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