Texas Musician Bill Simmons Leaves A Legend Behind

1-2-2005

Bill Simmons (1924-2005) the keyboardist for the Light Crust Doughboys passed away recently. His lifetime accomplishments include:

Grammy Award winner; 7-time Grammy Award Nominee;
Inductee: Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame,
Rockabilly Hall of Fame, International Country Gospel Hall of Fame,
Texas International Music Association;

His 70-year career as a radio musician began in 1934, he became a recording musician in 1945, made his debut as a TV musician in 1949, and his career as a jingles musician/vocalist/pianist/organist began in the late 1950s through 1960s;

He was the co-composer with Curly Williams of the pop standard, "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I," recorded by numerous stars including Ella Fitzgerald, Red Foley, and The Light Crust Doughboys with the SMU Mustang Band;

Bill was a pioneer of western swing, country, blues, gospel and pop music for legendary sessions at famous Dallas and Fort Worth studios featuring Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, The Light Crust Doughboys, James Blackwood, Nokie Edwards of The Ventures, Slim Whitman, Sonny James, Ivory Joe Hunter; pianist for 1963's top hit "Hey Paula", selling 3 million singles in 1963;

Bill's career and artistry is covered in the book, "The Light Crust Doughboys Are On the Air!" (University of North Texas Press).

He was a pioneer stage show musician beginning with The Light Crust Doughboys in 1954; orchestras including various symphonies and wind bands throughout Texas; SMU Mustang Band recording collaborator in 1997; and musician/sideman for the most famous Dallas and Fort Worth night clubs and showrooms in the 1950s and 1960s.

Member of The Recording Academy and Lifetime Member of Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association.

"Bill Simmons is my favorite piano picker, and a bright and shining star on all our Light Crust Doughboys shows." -Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery;

"An era has passed. Bill is 'Mr. Western Swing Piano and Mr. Cowboy Jazz Piano'. I've never shared the stage with a finer or more creative musician and player. And to top it all off, Bill was a good, honorable man whose word was his bond." -Art Greenhaw, member-manager---The Light Crust Doughboys;

Special musical tributes to Bill Simmons will take place at The Light Crust Doughboys' concert, Feb. 7, at Dallas' Pocket Sandwich Theatre, 214-821-1860 reservations.

For further bio info on The Light Crust Doughboys, visit www.thelightcrustdoughboys.com BIOGRAPHY pages.