Bill Long
Bill Long began his musical education at Atkinson Elementary School in Newnan, GA, part of the public school system in Georgia, where he learned flute, xylophone, and wood blocks. Starting in the 5th grade, he began private piano lessons, which he took for 2 years, ending after his recital at which he played "Alley Cat" instead of one of the classical pieces that his piano teacher favored. At 14, he persuaded his parents to buy him a used Hofner electric bass and Silvertone amplifier, took 1 lesson, and formed a rock & roll band, The Zircons, with 4 classmates. With practice, and their parents' indulgence, the band began to perform in Coweta, Carroll, and Lamar counties. The Zircons broke up after high school, Bill went to college, and drove his roommates to distraction playing acoustic guitar. Then, by serendipity, he fell in with a bunch of really good players in his local community of Dacula, GA and has enjoyed a resurgence in playing and performing folk, bluegrass, country, gospel, and original music and has recorded a few of CDs as solo projects and with The Wild Heard Band. He has entertained at many fairs, festival, and events and can be contacted for booking at 770 339 3668.