ALMOSTS:
Bill's "ALMOST" Opportunities:
Bill recorded (2) songs for Lee Daniels' "The Butler" and wrote (2) songs for "The United States VS. Billie Holiday" but both unfortunately were not included in the films' final cuts. :(
Recording session in NYC with Bill, Denetria Champ and Lee Daniels for "The Butler."
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*Bill's 2020 "Stevie Wonder at 70" tribute at the 2020 Berks Jazz Festival was unfortunately CANCELLED due to the coronavirus.
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Bill almost becomes the musical director for a late night TV show in LA for basketball legend John Salley in the 90s. This show was to replace the Arsenio Hall absence. There were 3 available TV slots. Quincy Jones' Vibe show took one, Keenan Ivory Wayans' show took one and The Magic (Johnson) Hour (who was a friend of John's and initially interviewed for John's pilot) took the final slot leaving John (and me) empty handed. However, all 3 shows were eventually canceled.
Bill idolized guitarist George Benson and always wanted to play with him. He approached George in LA about joining his band and George said that he had an opening and that his manager would call Bill. George's manager called Bill's hotel in LA and left a message that the hotel never relayed to Bill (this was before we had cell phones.) Bill lost the gig because he didn't return the message to say yes.
