Very early in life, Billy Henson knew he wanted to be an entertainer. He taught himself to play guitar and was soon writing songs and dreaming of a big career. In 1952, while still in high school, he began his professional career with Carl Tipton & his Mid-State Playboys on WGNS radio in Murfreesboro, TN. In 1953, he joined the Goober & His Kentuckians show on WSIX television in Nashville. He and Patsy were married in 1960; with her help and encouragement, he attended business college and began to work in earnest to develop his singing and songwriting skills. In 1962, his hard work and perseverance caught the attention of the comedy team Lonzo & Oscar. He got a songwriting contract with their publishing company, a recording contract with Nugget Records and a job as their lead guitar player on the Grand Ole Opry. Billy toured the United States, Canada, and Europe with Lonzo & Oscar the next two years. Later, he was a featured vocalist on the Pee Wee King & the Golden West Cowboys Show, booked by Nashville’s Bob Neal Agency. In 1964, Billy formed his own road band and worked with Red Foley and Martha Carson on a package show under the direction of Smiley Wilson of the Wilhelm Agency. In 1967, Billy had the chance to work in California under the direction of Steve Stebbins of the Americana Agency in Hollywood. He was booked up and down the west coast, working in many of the famous California venues. During these years on the road, Nugget released five singles and one album, and Billy enjoyed impressive airplay worldwide.

As a songwriter, Billy has written over 100 published songs. In addition to Lonzo & Oscar Music, he has written for Window Music and Sure-Fire Music. His songs have been recorded by Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, The Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Pete Drake, Lonzo & Oscar, Herb Pedersen, the Bluegrass Alliance (Vince Gill’s early bluegrass band), and countless others. His most well-known song, “Lonesome Feeling”, has been recorded by more than 30 artists, most recently by the Josh Williams Band and the Travelin’ McCourys, and is considered a standard in the bluegrass music industry.

As a record producer, he works with other artists who record for his labels. His production of Curly Seckler’s landmark album, 60 Years of Bluegrass with my Friends, garnered a 1996 IBMA nomination for Recorded Event of the Year. He released projects on Melba Montgomery and Stringbean, culled from masters that he owns. He is also a long-time member and active board member of ROPE (Reunion of Professional Entertainers).

Billy and Patsy still live in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. Their oldest daughter, Laurie, lives nearby; their youngest daughter, Jen, passed away in late 2010. When not performing or writing, Billy runs Wildwood Entertainment Inc., administering his record labels and publishing interests.