The son of Dorsey Burnette and Alberta Burnette, Billy was literally born into a musical family. His father and his uncle Johnny Burnette were two of the members of the 1950s Rock 'n' Roll Trio which also included Paul Burlison. It is written that Billy performed on occasion with the Trio around the age of three. Johnny had a son born around the time Billy was born named Rocky who also became a musician. It has been said that the term "rockabilly" comes from the combination of the two cousins' names, Rocky and Billy, however that is an unconfirmed rumor.