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A Country music enthusiast since the age of 14, Bill knew he wanted to be part of Country Music. An avid square dancer, he became friends with square dance caller, Slim Sterling. Unknowingly, Bill's conversations with Slim would become the foundation of Bill's career.
A few years later while helping his friend Steve Tucker (a DJ in North Carolina) set up equipment, Steve suggested Bill give DJ entertainment a try. Steve taught Bill about the equipment and DJ basics. The only music Bill knew was Country, so, he decided to give it a try with Country music.
Bill was introduced to DJ Gary (Hendricks) of Rock To The Beat Entertainment. Gary thought "a Country DJ in New York, that's a short career" but took Bill under his wing. Gary taught Bill the importance of putting on a "show", not just playing music (a jukebox plays music). Bill learned how to "read" a crowd, interact with and amuse them.
When the Line Dance craze hit, Rowdy Rockin' Ruthie (West) taught Bill how to play for a dance crowd. While working under "The Rowdy One" (as Bill calls her) he was given the name "Wild Bill". Bill never liked corny DJ names like this, but if he was going to be stuck with being called "Wild", he was going to live up to it.
Gary introduced Wild Bill to Sterling Stites and Lynn Epstein of StarWorks. Sterling was developing a Country music encyclopedia CD-ROM, now known as "Country.com's Century of Country" The Definitive Country Music Encyclopedia. Sterling asked Wild Bill to work on the project as a consultant (not bad for a "Country boy" from New York).
Ronni joined Wild Bill as his Dance Instructor. As a
team Wild Bill and Ronni proved why one person can't DJ and also be The Dance
Instructor at the same time. Individually, they have shown, if you have the talent you can make it happen with
"Country Dancing" done to "Country Music". Ronni and Wild
Bill opened Countryentertainment.com as a means to promoting "Country"
Music and Entertainment.
Today Wild Bill, with his new Dance Instructor Miss Erica,
is doing shows throughout the northeast. "I'd like a shot at Radio"
says Wild Bill. "Many have suggested it and I think I'm up to the challenge".
Never forgetting where he came from and who helped to make him (see "Thank You" below), Wild Bill still holds the same philosophies he did when he started:
"When in a Jazz club you hear Jazz, In a Rock and Roll club you hear Rock and Roll, When a placeadvertises Country Music you should hear Country Music."
And
"Country isn't a place on a map, or a space in time…...it's a frame of mind"
Wild Bill's arranges the show toward the people in the room. The show ranges from mild (suitable for all ages) to wild (a "college crowd" favorite) and audience participation is encouraged. He loves to have the crowd sing and/or become part of the show.
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