Album Notes

Been lucky enough to do some traveling. Usually inspires a song. Especially the twists, turns and sidetracks that make up most trips. The songs on this CD were written on or inspired by those travels and celebrate the sidetracks which usually are the most interesting and fun.

1. Says Who? - Holed up in an Austrian hotel room after a skiing accident, was subjected to two solid weeks of U.S. Cable TV news. Had to vent.

2. Rollback - Ran into this character on a shopping errand in Tennesee. This is what Jack's character in "The Shining" would be doing in retirement.

3. The Road - Sometimes where you end up depends on paying attention to how you got there.


4. Prescription Drugs - Speaking of trips. This one hit me after a trip to the Medical Center.

5. The Diva of the Silver Top Diner - Inspired by the waitresses in a Florida Waffle House. They have a language all their own.

6. I Know a Guy - A tribute to the way things work in most home states. Especially mine.

7. Waiting on Oblivion - Written for a songwriting showcase. Observing the timelessness of weird times.

8. The Square - Written during a stay in the Bastille Square section of Paris.

9. Cyclades Surprise - Toured the Greek Islands. Always felt the ancients were walking alongside. See if you can identify this most excellent Greek philosopher.

9. Meet Me under the Shepard's Clock - Time travel to Victorian Providence, RI

10. The Key - A daily trek delivering newspapers as a kid delivered a big lesson.

11. Week 41 - A mostly truthful recounting of an incident and subsequent financial transaction on The Gulf of Mexico.

Billy’s music is like a trip to Key West via “The Twilight Zone”. An unabashed Boomer, his original music resonates, involves and entertains, spanning emotionally from hilarious to heartfelt.

Billy's music is recorded on five CDs: "What's So Bad About Feelin' Good?", "The Diva of the Silver Top Diner", "Gumbo Beach", "Trop Trip" and now "Detour".

Billy has been performing for over 30 years on Rhode Island waterfronts and regionally in venues like Boston's Dick’s Last Resort and The House of Blues in L.A. He originally sang in a cappella doo-wop quartet The Hudsons, and is front man for Classic Rock band New York Minute, in addition to solo shows.

He is a published ASCAP songwriter with a catalog of over 50 original songs and is a board member of the Rhode Island Songwriters Association, Billy also produces Radio & TV jingles and other digital media and branding programs with his company JYNGLZ .

With music inspired by the wit of Shel Silverstein and the eccentricity of John Prine, few people can connect with an audience like Billy Mitchell.