Singer/songwriter Billy Shaddox is a Lyons resident, though he’s currently making waves nationally. He’s playing a low-key show close to home in Estes Park on August 9, so we had a chat.S
Yellow Scene: When did you start making music, and then taking it seriously as a career?
Billy Shaddox: I started when I was pretty young. I felt like I was taking it seriously for a while, but I was always doing other things on the side. It was about a year-and-a-half ago that I focussed on music.
YS: What brought you to Lyons?
BS: I’m from San Diego originally. My family and I always wanted to settle in the mountains somewhere. We wante to move to a town that had something to offer, an we did want to live in a city like Denver or Boulder. Lyons is a nice place for us. We found a home kind of between Lyons and Estes Park. There are places in Lyons to play, but I tour all along the western states. I like to play my hometown, but right now I’m in California.
YS: What do you think of the larger Colorado scene currently?
BS: I’m just getting to know it. I’ve only lived in Colorado for a couple of years, and for most of that I’ve been up in the mountains. I haven’t really jumped into the music in Boulder or Denver. There are a lot of great places to play here, and a lot of great musicians playing. People in Colorado are pretty supportive of art and music, and open to different styles. That’s really neat. I appreciate that.
YS: What can we expect from the Estes Park show?
BS: This one’s going to be very special because I’ll be playing with my brother and my dad. My brother lives in Maine and my dad lives in San Diego. They’re visiting around town, so it’ll be a family affair. This show is a songwriter’s engagement, so it’ll be fun to have family on stage. We’ll play each other’s songs and do some family harmonies. Have a blast.
YS: When this show’s done, what’s next?
BS: Touring in September and October, so I’ll be on the road. Playing a homecoming show in October.
Billy Shaddox plays at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 9 at the Rock Inn; 1675 Hwy 66, Estes Park; 970-586-4116.