Inducted October 4, 2015 HOF #668
Hall of Fame
Biographies
Hall of Fame
Biographies
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Bill Mitchell
Born into a musical family in West Texas, Bill was exposed to music from the crib. Fiddles, guitars, upright bass were fixtures almost in every house. Uncle, aunts, and his Dad played together until Bill “came of age”. Joining in the house bands brought new ambitions to learning the guitar. Being exposed mainly to breakdown fiddling and Western Swing, Bill became the rhythm instrument in the band. Not having time to play professionally he spent his years playing for and with musicians such as Johnny Gimble, Randy “Snuffy” Elmore, Chuck Hays, Jimmy Burson, Wes Westmoreland and Ricky Boen. Randy, Wes, and Ricky were all Branson musicians at different times. Randy and Wes played for Mel Tillis. His biggest inspiration, and fan, came from Bill Gilbert, one of the founders of the Western swing Music Society of the Southwest. Wanting to keep his special guitar player a good rhythm man, Gilbert caught Bill trying to play lead at the insistence of other members. “Stop that” he said, “I don’t want to ruin a good rhythm man.” So, Bill continues to accompany, not lead.
Bill played with many fiddlers at the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association contests. He even won the State Accompanist Contest in 1983 and runner up the next year. During this time he became wanted by many fiddlers who wanted to make records, then tapes, and then CD’s.
Bill was inducted into the Western Swing Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame in 2004 and as a Hero in the Cowtown Society of Western Music in 2010. He still plays regularly with bands from both of these Societies.
Married to his wife, Jill, for 54 years has been his major achievement in life. He is blessed with three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. One daughter plays fiddle and all of the grandchildren have been involved in music and dance through their respective schools.
Bill’s “barn” is the place for music for everyone. Jams are still held monthly in honor of Bill’Gilbert and for the love of music. Many people still drop by to just jam a little and Bill is always ready and willing. Western Swing still holds a special place in his heart, but always likes to stray into Big Band and Early Pop.
