Billy Mize RIP

Billy McCombs · Post by **Billy McCombs** » 2 Nov 2017 9:01 am

Billy Mize passed away. Condolences to his family. RIP Billy. He was 88.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 2 Nov 2017 11:03 am

Sorry to hear about this.
Another member of the original Bakersfield crew has left us...
RIP, Billy. You were the real deal.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 2 Nov 2017 11:24 am

Another pioneer down. Sorry to hear this.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 2 Nov 2017 12:00 pm

I'm really sorry to hear this! Billy was one of the nicest guys I've ever worked with and a great talent. I developed a good ear working with him as when we'd welcome him to the bandstand he'd just walk up to the mike and start singing and we'd have to know what key he was in or sound like a dunce. A really great guy, singer, steel guitarist, song writer and all. Here's an action shot taken in 1979 on the bandstand at Bonnie Price's Foothill Club in Signal Hill (Long Beach) California with me on my old ShoBud S-12..............JH in Va.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 2 Nov 2017 7:02 pm

Ouch. Ouch!!!

My favorite tune by Billy, circa 1953, with Bill Woods' band:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48bLzWymzOQ

Steven Finley · Post by **Steven Finley** » 2 Nov 2017 7:24 pm

By the way, whoever cleans out Billy's belongings, when you run across my CCM Band Member award for non-touring band from the early 80's,
please contact me so that the award will finally come to me--the rightful owner. My award was last seen on Billy Mize's mantle for his extended viewing pleasure--over 30 years!!!
It is a shame that Sandy Pigano has passed on and will never get to see his award, but since Billy wanted to keep it so badly you might as well put it in Billy's coffin.

Other previous band members who also await their awards are Procter Roger and Carl Macall; there may be more.
Anyone who can finally resolve this please email me. It is only right and fitting that we should receive our awards; it is time that our awards come home.

Skeeter Stultz · Post by **Skeeter Stultz** » 2 Nov 2017 7:31 pm

RIP Billy. You made the job easy. Jerry was right , Walk up to the mic, hit a chord and start singing. The pickers were allowed a lot of freedoms. You and Cliff's voices blended very well. The band upstairs just got a new leader. Once again,RIP.

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 3 Nov 2017 9:58 am

A sad day for country music !! Billy was a favorite of mine from The Cousin Herb's Trading Post TV Show days in the 50's and 60's, then Melody Ranch. One of a kind. He could sing anything and was a talented musician as well. With his looks, he would have caused Cleopatra's heart to flutter. Roy Nichols said that when Billy was around nobody else stood a chance with the girls. LOL !! RIP !!

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 3 Nov 2017 12:21 pm

He played steel on the old Town Hall Party TV show on KTTV channel eleven in LA for a good while after Marian Hall left... I remember one night at the Foothill when Billy sang Joe Carson's "Helpless". I'd never played it before and more or less just faked through the changes on the ride. When we took a break Billy asked me if I'd ever heard the record and I wasn't really familiar with it. He told me that he was the steel guitarist on the session and sat down at my steel and showed me how the ride on the record went and I learned it just for him so anytime he'd do that song after that he'd turn around and give me a smile while I was playing the break (with his licks)......RIP Billy....JH in Va.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 3 Nov 2017 12:46 pm

The very first country song that I remember hearing was "The Lights of Albuquerque". Used to hear it on WJRZ outta Hackensack (I think) New Jersey. It was my first influence in the country genre. R.I.P. Billy.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 3 Nov 2017 2:30 pm

Would love to see the doumentary about him, seemed like an interesting g person and life.

RIP Billy!

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 4 Nov 2017 8:31 am

Craig...there is one.
Check these out, and there's plenty more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXHnqBIj18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-PsJDgpis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r71BClL1ZQ

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 5 Nov 2017 12:41 am

Sorry to hear that. My condolences to family and friends.

Kind Regards, Walter

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 5 Nov 2017 5:36 am

Thanks Skip, I will check those links out!

Skeeter Stultz · Post by **Skeeter Stultz** » 10 Nov 2017 9:15 pm

I am so glad the CMA acknowledged him in memoriam.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 11 Nov 2017 8:02 am

Billy Mize Gave me " HEAVEN FOR THE WEEKEND " and Cliff Crofford gave me " WHISKEY HEAVEN " and my mentor FATS DOMINO gave me life in music!... RIP my dear friends. The " BLUE CRAWFISH CUP " for JESUS song is for us all. AMEN in Heavens Music.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 12 Nov 2017 5:30 am

Skeeter, I saw that picture of Billy in the In Memorium part of the show. His was the last picture they posted..... I'm glad they recognized him at long last, just sorry it had to be in this way.........JH in Va.

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Billy Mize RIP

Billy Mize RIP

Condolences to the family