Come Meet Billy Droze

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1986, the 10th of 12 children, Billy Ryan Droze grew up in Alabama.

As far back as he can remember, he knew that music was his life. “It’s as if I was inserted with a computer chip that made my life revolve around music.” But, the reason is just as likely the influence of his father, Bob Droze, a dedicated country, gospel, and bluegrass musician. Billy was on stage with his dad by the time he was 4 years old, and spent his childhood singing with him everywhere from churches to bluegrass festivals to honkytonks, developing a passion for traditional country, gospel, and roots music that has influenced him ever since. He learned to play guitar when he was 12, and as a teenager would perform anywhere, anytime, for anyone who would listen, sometimes walking miles down country roads, carrying his guitar, just for the chance to play a few songs.

When Billy was 16, his dad had moved to Texas, so he followed him there and spent a year or so playing with his band. After rambling around Texas for a while, he decided it was time to move to Nashville and has lived there ever since. He continued to play anywhere he could, constantly honing his skills as a songsmith and musician. Using the name, Billy Ryan, his ever-growing fan base dramatically increased singing lead on several tours for the Grammy-winning Shenandoah.

After a family tragedy, Billy felt the need for a change of scenery. Billy booked a thirteen-city, nine-country tour of Eastern Europe to promote his third independent album, “Ready For The Ride” which was extremely well-received by fans and reviewers. ”Ready For The Ride” earned him three #1 singles on the European Hot Disc charts.  This tour also led him to Lithuania where he found his soul mate.  When he returned to the United States, it was with his new wife, Marija and their son Nickie.  Billy has appeared in “Country Weekly” numerous times, as well as other magazines and Web sites in the US and Europe. Billy has had 2 major-network country music videos.

And, this “truly unique artist and highly prolific songwriter, with lyrics that dig deep into the heart of life, melodies and guitar style that combine his traditional roots with a modern twist that’s all his own, and a voice so beautiful, earthy and sincere that every song gives you goose bumps,” is just getting started.