Tuesday, May 8, 2001
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After an AOL Live listening party for his new CD, 'Dare to Dream,'
12-year-old singing sensation Billy Gilman stopped in to chat about
his music, career and what it is like to be named one of Teen People's
25 hottest stars under 25. See what he had to say below! Scroll down to read the full transcript... ***************************************************** AOLiveMC21: Good evening, Billy Gilman! So glad to have you here! How are you doing? Billy Gilman: Good evening, it's great to talk to you! I'm great, I am very excited about this new album! AOLiveMC21: Here is our first question: Question: From Kids Only area, Brittany: What was your favorite song to sing? Why? Billy Gilman: Probably -- the best song that I've sung is probably ‘The Snake Song.’ It's a real kids’ song. Question: OK, the question every girl wants to know, do you have a girlfriend? Billy Gilman: No, I don't, so you never know! Question: Billy, what inspired you to hook up with St. Jude’s, and how did you know about the song ‘Elisabeth’? Billy Gilman: St. Jude is a privilege for me to be with, because it’s for kids that are less fortunate. Anything I can do, I will be there. I will do anything for St. Jude. AOLiveMC21: Our next question is from Kids Only again: Question: From Kids Only area, Tiffany: Hi, Billy! How does it feel to be on tour? Billy Gilman: It's real fun, because you get your own tour bus and get to sing with great stars and all that stuff, so it's really, really fun. AOLiveMC21: Imsomeoneelse123 sends this question for Billy Gilman: Question: OK, what is it really like to be named one of the hottest 25 stars under 25? Billy Gilman: That is amazing! That's the only word I can describe it as, amazing. AOLiveMC21: Jilibean1889 has sent this one in: Question: Hey, Billy, I live in Rhode Island. How did you become famous? Well, to word it better, what did you do to become discovered (talent shows, choir etc.)? Billy Gilman: Well, when I was eight, my grandmother took me to this vocal trainer in Rhode Island, and from then on she introduced me to people, and they introduced me to Sony Music and my new management company. AOLiveMC21: OK, sounds like you have a great grandmother! Here is our next question: Question: From Kids Only area, Megan: I wanted to know, how long did it take to make your album? Billy Gilman: We started it in March and ended it in April (the current one). AOLiveMC21: Lickety-split ! OK, next question coming up: Question: From Kids Only area: Why is your mom so cool? Billy Gilman: Ha! Because she lets me do everything I want -- nothing too bad. She lets me ride my four-wheeler, she lets me have friends over all the time. AOLiveMC21: Nymonique sent this in for Billy Gilman: Question: Billy, how do you feel about being chosen as one of the student advisors of the Scholastic Magazine? I am an adult fan with a teen daughter... LOL. We both love your music! Billy Gilman: Thank you, guys! Why I wanted to do it, I wanted to do it by myself. I thought to myself, I would never get a chance to be a student advisor. I got a letter back saying I was on it. It was real, real neat. By the way, I'm on AOL!! AOLiveMC21: Monkyb842 sent this question for Billy Gilman: Question: Do you think that your friends take advantage of you because you are a star now? Billy Gilman: Not at all. When I'm home, it's not like Billy the singer, it's Billy the friend. That's what I love. They are true friends. AOLiveMC21: ILuvBillyGilman6 sends this question: Question: If you could meet anyone, who would it be? ~Kim Billy Gilman: Oh, probably Robin Williams. I would just like to meet him, because he is so funny and I always looked up to him as an actor... he is one of the main people. Question: From Kids Only area, Bobby: Billy, did you ever get nervous and mess up in a concert? I am your Number 1 fan. Billy Gilman: Thank you, Bobby! Actually, before I had my record deal, I was singing in a local club, a good club, not where people drink or smoke, but a good club. I forgot the whole song for two of the songs. I was so nervous, because it was a big club, and I was off that day. I think I was sick; I think I was coming down with something. AOLiveMC21: Cowgirl6389 sends this question to Billy Gilman: Question: Hi, Billy. Will you ever maybe pursue a career in acting? Billy Gilman: Yes. I definitely want to act after my career has been built. Definitely looking into Broadway and into acting. Both of those things are my goals for the future. AOLiveMC21: Our next question came in from ClevBsk: Question: When is your birthday? Billy Gilman: My birthday is coming up in 17 days -- May 24. AOLiveMC21: A Gemini? Billy Gilman: Yep! I'm a Gemini! AOLiveMC21: Do you have a twin stashed away somewhere? ::grin:: Billy Gilman: No, I actually don't, but I do have a younger brother, and he is nine. AOLiveMC21: Our next question is from LilBrownie713 in our audience: Question: Hey, Billy! I luv yah! Where is your favorite place to perform? I’ve seen you twice in Connecticut, and you were great! Billy Gilman: Thank you!! I bet you saw me once at Foxwood! The favorite place to play is at the Houston Livestock Rodeo show. I was opening up for my good, good friend LeAnn Rimes, or as all the people call her, Lee. AOLiveMC21: Bebebug61687 wants to ask Billy this question: Question: How did you get the songs for the new album? Billy Gilman: We pick and choose to see if they are too young for me or too old for me. What strikes me is good, good, country versus real funky stuff -- that's my idea of a perfect song. Question: Do you ever have problems with girl fans? Billy Gilman: No. Not at all. There've been marriage proposals, but other than that, nothing much. AOLiveMC21: Here is a follow-up question to the May 24 answer... ::grin:: Question: What do you want for your birthday? ~Kim Billy Gilman: Probably going to have a big rollerblading party. Question: Billy, do you find it hard to get along with other country singers because of your age? AOLiveMC21: That came from Brend98. Billy Gilman: No. That's one thing I love -- they treat me just like their own. They love me, especially Tim and Faith. Question: Hi, Billy! I'm Laura from Atlanta. I have been a fan ever since I saw your first music video! You are truly an inspiration to me! What has been the most memorable event in the past year? Billy Gilman: The video we shot. We shot it in St. Jude Hospital, and it was for my first song on the album. It was probably the most memorable and honorable. Question: From Kids Only area, Kelsey: Were you ever too shy to sing in front of other people? If so, how did you get over it? Billy Gilman: The only time I got really shy was when I sang in front of the president of the United States. That was a big night. I stuck myself in a room with no one there and pictured myself singing, and all the shyness went away. I sang for Clinton, and now I am going to sing for Bush. AOLiveMC21: Hbogirl10 in our audience tonight sent this question for Billy Gilman: Question: I bought the new CD last night, and it says that it will unlock exclusive content on your Web site, but I could not get it to work, so I was wondering how you got it to work. Billy Gilman: Well, you put the CD in your computer, and you put the disc in, and it automatically... well, I'm not sure. I think what you do is go to www.billygilman.com. Question: Billy, I am sure that your newfound notoriety lets you do things you always wanted. What do you like most about it, and what do you miss most that you might not have time for anymore? Billy Gilman: Probably the most things I don't have time for anymore is friends. That's always sad. The best thing, you get to go to DisneyWorld, and guess what? You don't have to wait in line. That is probably the most coolest part. AOLiveMC21: ShootingstarQ29 sends this to Billy: Question: Hello, Billy, I’m a huge fan of your music. I love it, love you too. Are you a fan of Celine Dion? You remind of me of her when you put so much emotion into your music. Thank you. Billy Gilman: I am a huge fan of Celine Dion. I love her voice. It's just impeccable, it really is. AOLiveMC21: ARUNAWAHKAH asks this: Question: Who’s the biggest star you've met so far? Billy Gilman: Britney Spears. Period. AOLiveMC21: SarahSand7 asks this question: Question: Do you ever dance during a concert? Billy Gilman: If it's dancing in my show, I like to move around and do some choreography. I just like to get down. Question: Hey. My name is Jacob. I wanted to know, how do you get the courage to get on stage in front of lots of people and sing? Billy Gilman: What I do, I picture myself in a room that is completely empty. That is how I overcome the stage fright. I really don't get stage fright. But if I do get stage fright and I am nervous, I picture myself in an empty room. AOLiveMC21: Billysgurl12 sends this: Question: When is your music video for ‘She's My Girl’ going to be shown on TV? Billy Gilman: It is going to be out in a couple of weeks, so be watching for it on CMT and GAC. AOLiveMC21: A nice message from BoydKevin017: Question: Billy, I gotta say D2D is your best work yet. I’m 15 and a cancer survivor. What you [are] doing with St. Jude’s and all is awesome. Keep up the good work, and Billy, Stay Gold. Billy Gilman: Thank you so much! Question: Hey, Billy, what is it about you and your grandma's cookies? I read you love them! Billy Gilman: Yeah! Chocolate chip! They're my favorite! AOLiveMC21: OK, looks like our time is running out :-( Here is a last question, from BizzerBee14: Question: Will Billy be on the awards show to sing or appear to receive an award? Billy Gilman: I am going to be singing at the ACM tomorrow night, and I've been nominated for three awards, so wish me luck! AOLiveMC21: Billy, could you share an e-mail address or Web site for fans to write to you at? And good luck with those awards, by the way! Billy Gilman: The official fan club Web site is at www.billygilman.net. And of course, the Web site is www.billygilman.com. AOLiveMC21: Great! Thanks, Billy Gilman! Good luck at the ACM tomorrow night. We have our fingers crossed for you! Billy Gilman: Thank you, and thank you, fans, for the great questions! AOLiveMC21: Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Good night, everyone! Copyright 2001 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service. |
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This page last updated: 05/13/01 18:38 © 2000, 2001 by BillyGilmanFanSite.com, All rights reserved Created on Saturday, July 15, 2000 (18:08) |
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