Artist Profiles: Billy Welch

“The Nord Electro 3 was the first and only keyboard that I have ever bought almost entirely on word of mouth. While I had heard it used by several other keyboard players live from time to time, it wasn't until after I spoke with them that I realized just how impressed they were with the instrument. I was looking primarily for something to replace what I had been using for my B3 "clone" and the guys who owned B3's and had played them for many years were telling me how the Nord was the closest thing they had ever played to a real B. Well, I took their advice and have never looked back. This is the most inspiring instrument I have ever owned. The functionality, from the ultra accurate drawbars to the layout of the effects section, make it hard for me to keep my hands off of it. I'm constantly trying new harmonic combinations effects and percussion settings while shaping the sounds in real-time during the course of any given song. I could go on forever about the "organ" portion of the NE3 (it has really cool Farfisa and Vox emulations as well), but I wouldn't want to neglect the Piano/Sample section which combines great samples of what every keyboard player loves. Grand Pianos, Wurlys, Rhodes, and awesome Clavinets. Again, the effects section is right there in front of you- dynamic, immediate and as always, inspiring.” - Billy Welch, keyboardist for the Jake Owen Band

Gear: Electro 3 73

Bio:
Billy Welch, keyboardist with Jake Owen, began his career in Tennessee playing with several artists such as Trace Adkins, Julie Reeves, Mindy McReady and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas fame. Billy became part of Tim Rushlow’s newest project at the time, “Rushlow.” The newfound band was signed to Lyric Street in 2003. They had a top 15 single “I Can't Be Your Friend” from the “Right Now” album released in 2003. In 2005, after parting ways with Rushlow, Billy began playing with Canadian artist George Canyon. George won 5 awards at the 2005 Canadian CMA Awards. In 2006 Billy joined up with new artist and old friend Rockie Lynne (Universal South). Then, in the spring of 2007, Billy began playing with Jake Owen. Since that time, Jake Owen has had 5 singles break the top 15 charts with his most recent “Don't think I Can't Love you” climbing to #2. Jake also won New Male Vocalist of the year at the 2009 ACM and grabbed a 2009 CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. Jakes current single, “8 Second Ride,” is climbing the charts and the video is circulating with great popularity. With the Jake Owen Band, Billy has toured with Kenney Chesney, Sugarland, Brooks and Dunn, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and many others. The band has appeared on Good Morning America and has been featured on Several GAC and CMT specials. You can catch an hour long profile on Jake Owen called Origins on GAC which features live acoustic performances shot in Florida and a live version of "Don't Think I Can't Love You" filmed at LP field (Titans Stadium.)!