Billy Lee

Biography of Billy Lee, The Entertainer

The expert stylings of vocalist, arranger, and lyricist Billy Lee paired with the accomplished musician, arranger, and musical director Pat Herlehy have given way to a calibration to be respected by today's top producers, artists, and entertainers.

Billy Lee, having strong roots in funk and soul has worked with an array of seasoned professionals. From Sly of Sly and the Family Stone to Loretta Lynn to Gary U.S. Bonds, Billy Lee brings a warm soulful sound to all his endeavors.
The many musical influences of his formative years helped to develop the sound he has today. As a young man, he performed with Gwen McCray (wife of George McCray) and Timmy Thomas. Relocating to Ft. Lauderdale from New Jersey in 1982, he joined the band "Phantasy," a 7-piece Top 40 show band which became the #1 show band in South Florida three years consecutively and led to a brief merger with Sly Stone. Billy Lee has shared the stage with The Drifters, The Flamingos, and Chubby Checker, a versatile list that reads like a who's who of the entertainment world covering various genres.

In 2005, Billy Lee collaborated with Grammy nominee guitarist, saxophonist, and keyboardist Pat Herlehy and released the CD entitled "590 Dogtowne Road." Old school meets new school is often the phrase used when describing this tasty, funky, soul, and rap conglomeration from the team of Lee and Herlehy. The CD engulfs the life experiences and lessons of love, passion, reflection and hope. Billy Lee's long standing friendship and work partnership with Pat are highlighted in 590 Dogtowne Road. Pat's talent for writing music coupled with Billy’s skill as a lyricist makes them a natural duo.

Pat has lent his expertise on many production projects with artists that have changed music from today, yesterday as well as tomorrow. He is continuously on tour in both the U.S. and Europe as the producer, arranger, and musical director with the legendary blues entertainer Mighty Sam McClain. Pat's expertise is sought by the finest musicians and entertainers in the industry today. He is a former production assistant to Dave Frangioni who's worked with names such as Madonna, Aerosmith, and New Kids on the Block to name a few.

Songwriting, producing and arranging are Billy Lee's true passions. These skills do not go unrecognized in his latest work which is near completion. Billy Lee solicited the talents of a very close friend, Victor Wooten. Victor is a five time Grammy award winning bassist who performs with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones. Billy Lee and Victor Wooten have been long time friends since an early working relationship with a version of the world renowned singing group “The Platters.” Billy Lee was a featured performer with The Platters and Victor the Music Director.

Victor is not only assisting Billy Lee on his latest project but has also performed on several tracks providing that signature bass sound and feel and marrying it with the silky sultry tones of Billy Lee. The CD is entitled "Beside Myself" and is a soulful compilation of original material along with a few cover tunes. This latest work of Billy Lee’s promises to leave the listener with a definite link to life experiences of love, passion and pain.