Billy Floyd

Most musicians claim to know that music was their passion long long ago. If you told me that I would be pursuing a musical career 19 years ago, I would have thought you were insane. I'm not your typical musician. I didn't start playing guitar at the age of three, and I don't have a particular style of music to hold me back. As a Sophomore in college, I was handed my first guitar by Neil Kennedy; a four string Fender Strat Bass. Over the next 2 years I worked closely with renowned bassist Chris Hadden, honing my bass skills. Mark Smythe and I played at various coffee houses and clubs in Inverness, Tampa and Ocala, Florida to create a solid musical foundation for our future move to Orlando. However, I wasn't through with College yet. As a Junior, the band Toaster12 was started. Two years later, two talent competition wins and endless gigs, Toaster12 met its end after several members graduated and the thrill was gone. Never being one to give in, I moved to Ocala to pick things up once again with Smythe, THEN we moved to Orlando, Florida and started the band "OPEN" together. After a few years, and the realization of some personal goals I moved to Tampa to try a new path, and begin my solo career. In 2004 it was time to take the next step, I left behind friends, family and my profession to move back to Orlando. With $17.50 in my pocket and support from close friends, "My Reality, Baby!" my acoustic cd was recorded, mixed and mastered within less than one month of my, apparent, impulsive move. The same day my debut album was released longtime friend Garrett Manning along with Allen Geddes, and Joe Abisambra entered a Battle of The Bands at St. Leo University under the name "Sagittarius" which eventually lead to the birth of "Smilin' McGee". Smilin' McGee has been up, over, around, and through the South East Continental United States moving hearts and rocking faces for years. After Smilin' Mcgee reached it's stopping point, I hit the solo circuit once again, playing with numerous musicians including Bradley Garrison, Nikki Sirfillipi, Brett Lieberman, and Ryan Brown. I joined up with the Tina Nicole Band, adding that into the musical mix as well. And then, January 16th happened. Fresh back from a 3 day retreat in Georgia, I got the call. Black In The Mind had called me up, and it was time to hit the big show. What a roller coaster ride that was... On September 12th 2010, the day after my last show with Black In The Mind, I left on my first national tour with MIGGS, a Pop-Rock band out of Tampa, FL. 4 National tours later and I found myself, for a short period of time in the greatest band ever built. Jason Williams, Sean Nothstine, J.D. Wheeler, Anthony Furtney and I had formed... "Trigger Happy Love Story" The greatest band in the world. Buuuut 3 months later that fizzled out and here I am, once again, on my own and still pushing, still running, still... Solo Artist Billy Floyd