I’ll never forget the first time I met Billy Powell. It was in Atlantic City, backstage at the VH-1 Decades Rock Live show for Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was still on tour with Bo Bice, who was invited to make a guest appearance for the program. Although I did not get to jam with Skynyrd, I was able to wander around the grounds, and was able to meet some legends. Hank Williams, Jr. was there, Kid Rock showed up backstage, Three Doors Down made an appearance, and, of course, the guys from Skynyrd.
Some of us in Bo’s band were hanging out in the hallway of the dressing rooms when Billy Powell walked in to get ready for the interview portion of the show. Everyone knew how much I revered Powell’s keyboard playing, so they encouraged me to go introduce myself. At first I did not want to… I was so extremely star-struck, I didn’t even know what I would say.
“Just tell him you think he’s great!” the guys told me.
“Ok!” I said as I slowly walked towards Billy.
He could see me coming a mile away… but Billy stood there and let me approach him. This was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life… I get to meet Billy Powell!!! I kept looking back to the guys for support. They waved me forward, mouthing words like, “Go on!” and “Do it!” My confidence grew with each step until I was finally standing in front of Mr. Powell.
He stared at me, expecting me to say the first words, but I just stood there.
Silence.
He kept staring at me, smiling, probably wondering, “What’s with this guy?”
I finally mustered up the strength to say all the things I’ve always wanted to say to him… I wanted to tell him how much I love his playing, how he’s been such a big influence on me… but all that came out was:
“You’re Billy Powell.”
Billy replied with, “Yes, I am Billy Powell.”
Silence.
“You’re… Billy Powell!”
His smile widened… “Yes, I am Billy Powell.”
“Wow. You’re Billy Powell!”
Me & Billy Powell’s keyboards
What happened next is something I’ll never forget. Billy looked at me, then to the room he was supposed to go into, and said, “I’m gonna go now… into this room. Ok? Here I go…”
And with that, Billy Powell smiled and went to do the interview segment.
I just stood there and waved. I think I stood there for a good thirty seconds before I realized that I never got a picture with him, nor did I even shake his hand.
When I turned towards the guys, who had watched the entire exchange, they all had looks on their faces like they had eaten a whole lemon. Some of them gave me the thumbs-up sign… “Nice!” was all they could think of saying to me.
Well, I watched most of the show backstage, standing right in view of Billy Powell’s hands. I still marveled at his playing style, the notes that he chose, and how fluid he was with just about everything he did.
Right after the show, Billy passed me again in the hallway. Just like before, I froze up… but this time, he pointed to me, saying, “Hey, I’m Billy Powell!” Billy then grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. I swore I would never wash my hand again.
And I haven’t… to this very day. You do NOT want to see this computer keyboard.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to not only have had the opportunity to see Billy play live, but to also have had the chance to meet him. His legacy will live on in all the Skynyrd records, and within the hands and hearts of the thousands of keyboardists he had a direct hand in inspiring. I’m gonna go spin some Skynyrd now… you should do the same…
Fly, Free Bird… Fly.
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