Bill Rice & The Homesick Gypsies Country Band from Austin, TX

Take plenty of heartache, two near death experiences, a whole lotta backroadin therapy, a couple of bar scars, the perfect farmers tan, combine it with meaningful lyrics, a soulful voice, solid guitar work and you have got Bill Rice. He is truly one of the brightest new stars in the Texas music scene. Bill Rice was born and raised in rural Oklahoma. After high school, he attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK.. He worked as a bouncer at the world famous Tumbleweed Dancehall, where he got to meet some of his country music idols and also became friends with fellow red dirt artists Stoney LaRue and Jason Boland. The time spent working at the Weed had a profound effect on his decision to withdraw from college just shy of having a degree and pursue his dream of being a singer songwriter. Bill decided to move to Texas in search of a home for his original music. He new lives and tours out of Austin, TX and says he can not think of a cooler place to live. He also has put together a talented group of guys known to most as The Homesick Gypsies. They have played around the country making a living as musicians. Bill spends most of his time writing, recording and playing live shows, but on the rare occasion when he takes a day off, he is either spending time with his family or hunting and fishing with his buddy Kevin Fowler. Bill is currently finishing up his new CD “Friday Night”, that is set to be released in October 2009. His 2008 debut CD, I’d Do It All Again, spawned 3 Texas Radio singles and drew rave reviews from those in the Texas Music Scene. Bill plays Original Texas Music. Some of his musical influences include: Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, Walt Wilkins, Jimmy Lafave, Monte Montgomery, Mel McDaniel, Don Williams, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban “Bill’s record is top notch! His songs are great and his voice is as soulful as you will hear. The great production on this record adds to the high quality he was goin’ for. “I’d Do It All Again” is as good a debut album as you will find in my opinion.”- Kevin Fowler "I was honored to sing on Bill Rice's record. His voice is as warm & open as the Texas plains. He writes & sings about real life, with a no-bullshit sensibility. It's going to be fun watching folks get their ears on Bill."- Walt Wilkins "Bill Rice's songs remind me of Dallas Frazer or Bob McDill. They're great songwriters too. And when I hear Bill sing, I think of Merle Haggard. That's about as good as it gets in my book."-Kent Finley (Songwriter/Owner-Cheatham St Warehouse)