This is not a list of why you *should* be on Twitter. I’m sure everyone has already told you all about that. But have I told you why *I* want you on twitter?

Please, hear me out.

1. I MISS YOU

Yes, it’s true. I miss you! I know it’s not the Olden Days where we use to pick up phones and actually call each other but you know what? Just because we’re a bit busier now doesn’t mean I don’t like knowing what you’re up to. And on that note…

2. DEEP DOWN, WE’RE ALL CREEPY STALKERS

Admit it. You know it’s true. Sometimes you miss me too, maybe it’s 2 in the morning and you don’t know what time zone I’m in so you don’t want to risk calling and it’s actually 5am and then we’re no longer friends. Isn’t it nice to click a few links and know what I’ve been up to in the 2 days since we talked? Ok, maybe you don’t care. Actually I know you don’t care but I do! See: Reason Number One

3. I CAN’T BE THERE TO SEE WHAT YOU MADE FOR DINNER

I can’t always come over for dinner but that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna see what you’re cookin’ up! Please, post pictures, recipes…anything! While you’re at it, you know I really want to see how your kids/turtle/fish/dog/garden are progressing as well. I can’t always be there to see it first hand, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want you to share it with me 🙂

4. YOU’RE FUNNY. AND YOU KNOW IT.

Sometimes you think of your funniest thoughts and ideas when you’re alone. What are you going to do, wait until the next time you call me, 5 weeks from now, to tell me all about it? Just tweet it. And while you’re at it, make a funny face and post that too. You never know when I might need you to cheer me up.

5. BREAKING NEWS

Sometimes in life, between our jobs and commute and attempt to pursue leisure, we miss out on what is going on in the rest of the world. If you find something out that interests you, would you tell me about it? If you tweet it, I will know about it right away and you never know who else might be interested too! Don’t hide your breaking news away from us…inquiring minds want to know!

Well there you have it. There’s why I would love it if you joined me on twitter and helped me feel a little closer to you, even though we’re out here living our lives. Thanks 🙂

http://www.twitter.com/billypettinger

Just wanted to post this new bio that Keith Carman wrote for me. If you’d like Keith to write your bio please contact me and I will pass on his contact info. I thought he did a really great job 🙂

Billy The Kid

Life tends to give us what we want…but never how we expect it.

Witness phenomenal Vancouver, B.C. singer/songwriter Billy The Kid. Culled from the same passionate ambrosia that spawned musical greats such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg and Elvis Costello, this golden throat has been accosting the world of music for years with her refined craftsmanship, bold musical talent, extraordinary songs and overt beauty—aesthetically and aurally—epitomized on latest EP The Lost Cause (Lost Records).

As The Kid will admit however, while initial goals of success were envisioned as a collective, Life had other plans in store. Recognizing her innate abilities, it prodded her towards independence and therefore greatness.

“My parents put me in piano lessons at eight. I hated it,” she notes, admitting that despite a sour introduction to music compounded by her difficult early life as a foster child who left home at 12, creativity quickly took over her life. “I’ve been playing solo for as long as I can remember. I started learning to play guitar in the corridors of my high school and my first show was around 16 years old. I had a band but any time the band couldn’t show up, I’d still take the gig. Any chance to play, I’d take it.”

Grasping those opportunities eventually thrust Billy The Kid into many unexpected spotlights. From punk rocker to pianist, folk crooner and eventually label owner (founding Lost Records in order to support poignant underground music), all of these experiences culminate in the striking and powerful experience that is The Lost Cause, a call-to-arms for individual thinking, personal pride and refusal to relent.

“I’ve always liked all sorts of music and I’ve always played all sorts of music,” she notes about her musical diversity. “I grew up in punk but always loved roots and folk. Songs, really. Any song with a story or a life of it’s own were always my favourites. I’ll still put out rock music and write songs on pianos because at the end of the day, they’re all songs, aren’t they? That’s the thing about The Lost Cause and those whom adhere to it. It’s about finding your own way regardless of what others may think.”

Contextually, The Lost Cause is founded on The Kid’s desire to stay rooted, natural and sincere. Compelled by her struggles as a genuine artist constantly confronted by masked jackals both personally and professionally, The Kid never finds herself with a lack of inspiration, deeming The Lost Cause to be culled from one particular emotion:

“Honesty,” she declares bluntly. “I write a lot about hard times. There seems to be a lot of inspiration for that these days. There is a lot of music out there that is made to make money. It doesn’t really stand up for much. I strive to stand up for what I believe in; don’t really care about what musicians are ‘supposed to do’ in order to succeed.”

“My hope is that this thirst for honesty is what attracts our supporters,” she continues. “People are smart. They know they’re being advertised to and music is just the soundtrack to the pop star commodity which takes away all credibility. I’m independent through and through. I believe in throwing out the map and finding my own way.”

Considering that The Lost Cause was produced by Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace, Kelly Clarkson, Hillary Duff, Avril Lavigne) and boasts a vast array of legendary talent including pianist Garth Hudson (The Band, Bob Dylan), drummer Randy Cooke (Ringo Starr/Dave Stewart), guitarist Ben Peeler (Jacob Dylan/The Wallflowers) and harmonica player Stan Behrens (Ruth Brown, The Four Tops) it’s safe to say that Billy The Kid was never off course.

In fact, amassing accolades faster than one can keep count, The Lost Cause is becoming a blueprint of its own for heartfelt music: attaining the Number One position on Much Loud’s charts, The Kid being hand-picked to perform as a part of the legendary Warped Tour, featured Indie Spotlight/Folk Music Spotlight on iTunes Canada, an MSN Sympatico Indiscover Featured Artist, nominated for XM Radio’s The Verge Artist of the Year, holding the top two positions on Earshot’s college listings, radio and television support, winner of three Georgia Straight Reader’s Choice Awards and more. The Lost Cause has certainly found itself at the top of the musical Mecca.

Still, with The Kid’s congenital musicality, professionalism and spirit comes a healthy dose of humility. Gracious, she is thankful for The Lost Cause’s distinctions yet refuses to let them throw her off balance. Instead, they prompt her to sets sights even stronger on the ultimate goal: creating the music in whatever fashion Life has in store.

“The main goal always has been and always will be to just keep on keeping on,” she smiles. “I’m here to spread the Gospel of The Lost Cause; make music for whomever will lend their ears to listen.”