Bill Horn got his first guitar for Christmas of his 6th grade. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, his first profound musical experience came from his 3 years tenure in an Old English type  boys choir. Bill studied at the Royal School of Church Music in Berkley, California, and at the early age of eleven performed at Disneyland, the Air Force Academy  in Colorado, and Grace Cathedral  in San Francisco. From these formative experiences, the future musician gained invaluable experience in ear training, and singing became second nature to him.

By the time High School rolled around, Horns’ major musical influences had been the Byrds, Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, and the Rolling Stones. He spent hours practicing guitar to the LPs he loved so much. Turning professional in 1974, he joined a Texas based country-rock band called Cahoots. Cahoots soon learned that in order to make a living playing music in Fort Worth and the North Texas area, a band had to be able to play “Country-dance” gigs. Under the guidance of steel guitar player (and now Nashville Producer) Tommy Spurlock, Horn took to learning telecaster licks from Merle Haggard’s guitar player, Roy Nichols, and other greats such as James Burton, Phil Baugh, and Clarence White (of the Byrds & B-Bender fame)... And in 1975, Bill had his first B-Bender installed in his ’58 Telecaster, which helped to shape and develop his fluid, snappy style.

 The prestigious Dallas based Buddy Magazine’s “Most Promising Newcomer” award went to Cahoots in 1977, and by 1980, after a record deal gone bad in Nashville, Horn and the band packed up and moved to L.A. to pursue the California Country Rock dream. Led by the Eagles, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, the Flying Burritos Bros., and Poco, this brand of sophisticated new country had by then set the standard for what we know as today’s “Hot New Country”. However, before the Cahoots band dissolved in ’84, they had built their own recording studio and recorded an unreleased album under the direction of Producer Daniel Moore (Co-writer of “My Maria”/”Brooks & Dunn”). Daniel, a veteran of Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” and producer of many albums for Capital Records, took  Bill under his wing and taught him how to produce Records. Since that time, Horn has turned session player/producer and has appeared on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” backing Kim Carnes. Additionally he has performed at countless other gigs and recording sessions. (see attached resume).

In 1987, Horn formed a new band with fellow Texans Candy Chase (Bass & Vocals), and Michael J. Dohoney (Drums & Vocals). Five years later they added keyboardist Dave Fraser and landed the house gig at the Neon Cactus within the Disneyland Hotel. For three consecutive years, they entertained international and local crowds five nights a week. It was here where their band, FORT WORTH WEST, built up an impressive following. They converted many non-country fans and  turned the heads of avid country listeners with their great vocals and kickass, Texas brand of country. Their debut CD, FORT WORTH WEST, is now available on DJM records at record stores nationally, and the following web sites:

DJM Records: http://www.djmrec.com    

Blockbuster:http://www.blockbuster.com/

CD Now: http://www.cdnow.com/

CD Universe: http://www.cduniverse.com/

Compact Disc World: http://www.clubcd.com/

CUC Int'l: http://www.musicspot.com/

E! Online: http://www.eonline.com/ **MUZE for Video  

Tower Records: http://www.towerrecords.com/
 (some of these sites have changed along with our distributor)

To bring you up to the present, Horn was recently awarded the CCMA Orange County LEAD GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR ’97 and continues to work on many other projects and gigs including fellow CCMA winner Delbi Smart, nominee Marti Taylor and her Southern Comfort Band, and actress Kim Lankford (of Knott’s Landing fame). As of July 2000, Fort Worth West has been awarded the 1999 European Country Music Association’s “BAND OF THE YEAR”. http://www.europeancma.org/awards.htm
 

For more info email       billhorn3@netzero.net

Here’s a list of his discography:
FORT WORTH WEST (self titled) DJM Records Oct.’98 (Country)
DREAMLAND / Bill Horn’s solo album White Rose Records ’95 (Adult MOR)
RIDING A HORSE AND HOLDING UP THE WORLD / Daniel Moore’s solo album DJM ’98
DOC WEST AND THE YARD DOGS / Doc West on Rockin’ Records ’98 (R&B)
MONSOON RAIN / China Sea ’95 MRMC Records (New Age)
ON THE RUN / Philip Norris Amazing Records ’92 (Country Rock)
MUSIC FROM KANKODORI / China Sea ’91 MRMC Records (New Age)

Here’s a look at his current resume:

Bill Horn
Aco. & Elec. 6 & 12 string / B-Bender & Slide Bottleneck Guitars
Dobro / Mandolin / Longhorn Bass / Vocals / Songwriter / Producer

TV - Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” backing Kim Carnes (Mandolin)
        Soundtrack for “ABC All Star Pro Sports Awards Show”
        (Guitar, Mandolin, Bottleneck, and Banjo)
        “Who’s the Boss”  (Guitar & Extra)
         Soundtrack for James Bond Documentary (Guitars)

Film - “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”  co-producer, lead guitar & BG vocals on featured song: “No right To Do Me Wrong” by RANGE WAR / Lee Ving

TV Commercials - “Kentucky Health Care Reform” (Dobro)
                             “American Assoc. of Health Plans” (12 string Rickenbcker) 
                              “Progresso Soup” (Guitar & vocals)

Radio Commercials - “Old El Paso Salsa” (Vocals)
                                   “Geoffrey’s Restaurant in Malibu” (Guitar)
 

Session work for:  Daniel Moore (songwriter/producer “My Maria”/Brooks&Dunn, “Sweet Forgiveness”/Bonnie Raitt, “Shambala”/Three Dog Night),  Jerry Williams (Songwriter for Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt), Zacka Creek Band (Giant Records), B.W.Stevenson (MCA), 
Morgan Cavet (producer/writer Steppenwolf, Karla Bonoff, Blues Image, Captain & Tennille) 
Tommy Spurlock (Nashville producer for Philip Norris’s upcoming new CD), Dusty Wakeman (owner/engineer of Mad Dog Studios).