Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Stoops has called the Pacific Northwest home for over two decades.
The energetic and charismatic front man was named "Entertainer of the Year" and "Best Male Vocalist" by the Washington Blues Society, while his distinctive guitar style on both electric and acoustic along with his groove-oriented songwriting garnered him a Tacoma Music Award for "Male Performer of the Year".
Billy's new release "Dirt Angel", the long awaited follow up to his acclaimed 2007 recording "Little Devil" features Stoops' rich, soulful vocals and poignant lyrics on 10 all-original pure-D Americana tunes. His new band, aptly entitled Billy Stoops & the Dirt Angels, supports the album and tour with an all-star lineup of root's rockin' musicians.
Stoops is also a founding member of the popular swamp/roots band Junkyard Jane, a group with a briefcase full of accolades that has released seven CD's of original music in their 19 year tenure.
A former president of the Wichita Blues Society, Billy served on the Board of Directors for LMIA (Louisville Music Association), MERF (Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation), and the Tacoma Music Awards Committee. He is currently in his 19th year as Emcee of the semiannual "Sunbanks Festival", and was promoted to Director of Festivals in 2001.
Billy recently joined forces with Mighty Mouth Entertainment as Vice-President of Talent Acquisition and Festivals. His other past and present festival involvement includes production coordinator for the "Untapped Brews and Blues Festival", co-producer and emcee for the "Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival", talent coordinator and board member of the "Leavenworth Music Festival", emcee and talent coordinator for "Moonfest", and emcee and co-director of the "Emerald City Music Fest".
And if all that's not enough - the Reverend Billy Stoops is a wedding officiant and has performed over 25 unique and interesting ceremonies since 1999.
A proud father and grandfather, Billy's hobbies include cycling, cooking, and most of all hanging out in Sayulita, Mexico where his kids and grandchildren live.