Artist Bio: BILL TURNER & BLUE SMOKE
The BLUE SMOKE band was founded by Bill Turner in February 1972 in an attempt to recapture the Country and Rockabilly roots of a "post-Woodstock" music industry so completely dominated by, and lost in a haze of Psychedelic Rock. The band began working almost immediately in local Brooklyn clubs, and began building its reputation gradually but steadily. In the ensuing years, the band developed into a highly polished, professional and widely known nightclub and stage attraction, appearing at fairs, concerts, conventions and all types of public and private events throughout the northeast and even into Canada.
In 1974 Bill divided his time between Blue Smoke, and a two and a half year stint with Bill Haley & His Comets, playing lead guitar with this Inventor of Rock & Roll, a gig which took him around the world.
In July of 1996, MTV hired Bill and the group to record the soundtrack music for the four 30 second commercial spots heralding their new M-2 Satellite Network which made its worldwide debut on August 1st of that year. Bill and the band recorded the instrumental "C.C. Rider" chaser heard in each of the spots, which featured a cast of 24 Elvis’ acting out poses and dancing.
Through the years, Blue Smoke became the 'band of choice' for many of the country's top Elvis Tribute performers, which led to their being discovered by MTV at a convention in Wildwood NJ where they were the backup orchestra for an Elvis Competition which drew over 4,000 in attendance. Soon after this, the band released its first CD "Mississippi Maserati Breakdown" on the independent MANSION RECORDS label.
In the past year Bill Turner & Blue Smoke won two film industry awards; a 2004 Bronze Telly Award, and a 2005 Platinum Aurora Award, both for "Best Use of Music" in an independent film "The Crusaders", a spy film with a soundtrack heavily laced with retro-surf and jazzy lounge music...a Blue Smoke specialty.
Since 1999 Bill Turner & Blue Smoke have been appearing regularly in Atlantic City at Bally's Wild, Wild West Casino.
