Fresno Rodeo

Billy Charne is as real as the wide open spaces of the American west. His music could be described as “Urban Western”, and the songs he writes, are contemporary standards.

A native of Grand Forks, British Columbia, Billy draws from a rich background of experiences. Grooming and exercising race horses, rough-necking in the Alberta oil fields, riding bareback horses, clowning and working barrel in Oregon and Nevada.

It was while clowning a rodeo in John Day, Oregon that Charne entered a talent show and placed second. He decided to pursue a career in music and headed to Toronto, where he began playing in clubs. An independent record session led to Charne being signed to RCA by Jack Feeney. Charne’s songs “Suzies’ Better Half” went top five, and “When You Were A Lady” went number one on Canada’s national charts.

The move was made to Nashville when Chet Atkins agreed to produce Billy in the States. From that first session “To Ma Ray Tom O Ray” was eventually released, and hit the top of the charts nationally in Canada and regionally in the U.S. Bureaucratic red tape halted the release and recording of future projects, and Charne moved to California. A five year management deal was signed with Great Western Music Inc. and an album was produced for Sussex Records. While touring with Larry and Lorrie Collins, Casey Tibbs heard Charne’s song “Fresno Rodeo”. He had it nominated for a Heritage Award with the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

Sometimes the music business can take the music right out of an artist. But for Billy Charne, the music is an element so vital to who he is, that he continues to perform his art for the music’s sake. His latest album “Fresno Rodeo” is wonderfully produced and Charne’s vocal is as pleasing and comfortable as that of an old friend. It’s good travelling music for going up and down the road. It’s music to think to and to music to think about.

Charne is more than a studio musician/artist, and his music can adapt readily to a guitar-vocal around a campfire. He writes about cowboys, outlaws and banditos, yet hidden in these characters are pieces and experiences of ourselves. His music invokes images of the west, and it is as refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

Billy Charne didn’t bury his talent, nor did he make it dependent on money or business deals. His art is a true expression of the gift God gave him, and it only gets better as time and life weave their stories into the heart of the music.

David Smith: bass
Mike Chapman: bass
Ralph Childs: bass
Milton Sledge: drums
Lonnie Wilson: drums
David Huntsinger: piano
Rodger Morris: piano
Gary Prim: piano
Brent Mason: electric guitar
Gregg Galbraith: electric guitar
Pete Wade: electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Leo Jackson: acoustic guitar
Mike Severs: acoustic guitar
Pat Severs: steel
Weldon Myrick: steel, dobro
Rob Hajacos: fiddle
Randy Howard: fiddle, mandolin
Ronny Light: back-up vocals
Jennifer O’Brien: back-up vocals
Margie Cates: back-up vocals

Produced by Ronny Light for Chilly Barn Productions
Recorded at Reflections Studio, Nashville
Mastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto, Ontario

Cover photo by Bill McKeown
Finished art by Paul Mitchell & Brian Green

For information & bookings contact:
Billy Charne Music
Box 2225
Grand Forks, BC
V0H 1H0