Album Notes

B. J. THOMAS BJ Thomas owns one of the most distinctive voices in American pop music; with over 70 million records sold, his vocal versatility is as apparent today on his latest album, Love To Burn, as it was when he recorded his first hit in 1967, “I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry”. Nothing about the identifiable sound of B.J. THOMAS' voice has changed. Recognizing the continued loyalty of his fans, B.J. has established his own label, B.J. Thomas Music (www. Bjthomasmusic.com), which debuts with the release of LOVE TO BURN. Since the mid-1960s, BJ Thomas has become one of the most recognized and respected voices of the American musical landscape. He impacts many areas of popular music and received 15 Top 40 pop hits, 10 Top 40 country hits, 5 Grammys, 2 Dove awards and 15 Gold and Platinum Records. “As a singer,” he says, “I have the chance to lift the spirits of the audience and make them feel good, at least for the evening.” It’s an attitude people notice. Fans frequently approach BJ to thank him for the positive impact of his songs on their lives ranging from the mega hit “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” to country smashes like “New Looks From An Old Lover.” BJ’s music is testimony to the fact he is a survivor. He has overcome personal adversity and addiction as well as weathered professional storms to emerge musically stronger than ever. LOVE TO BURN synthesizes the wide-ranging styles that have influenced his career. It includes a barrelhouse version of T-R-O-U-B-L-E, a song originally associated with Elvis Presley, LOVE TO BURN digs into Allen Toussaint's New Orleans-flavored Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues) and features a Dobie Gray-penned ballad, Stranger In The Mirror, that finds B.J. in movingly sensitive form. Love To Burn contains a masterfully blended mix of 8 ballads and 4 up tempo songs which allow B.J. to demonstrate his marvelous voice and virtuosity which have placed him at the pinnacle of success, with a history of more than 70,000,000 record sales. This album is a must for everyone who enjoys beautiful music, full orchestration, and the voice of B. J. Thomas. Billy Joe Thomas, nick-named BJ by his baseball coach at age 10, was born in Hugo, Oklahoma, and grew up in Houston, Texas. He moved with his family to Rosenberg, Texas at age 15 and was a “charming, energetic cut-up”, according to his friends. BJ was a member of his high school and church choirs. As a teenager, he developed a passion for R&B. As his passion grew, he began sneaking into nightclubs to hear blues legend Bobby “Blue” Bland. At the age of 15, BJ joined a local Houston rock band, the Triumphs. Early influences range from Ernest Tubb to Jackie Wilson and Little Richard. BJ made his biggest local splash as lead singer for the Triumphs, a six-piece rock and roll band that started out playing at dances and a Saturday morning radio show. The Triumphs became one of the biggest acts in Texas, opening at the Houston Coliseum for headliners like Roy Orbison, the Dave Clark Five and the Four Tops. The Triumphs’ first album was recorded in Beaumont. They released several well-received local singles. In 1965 the band went into the studio to record an album of vintage rock and roll. They needed one song to finish the project. BJ recalled his father had told him, “Don’t come back unless you record something country”. With that in mind, BJ suggested Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. It was recorded at 5 a.m. after an all night session. Reflecting on his childhood, BJ recalls a major turning point in his life. “I remember seeing Hank Williams with my father,” he says. “He was unbelievable that night. He came out on stage and he was feeling good. I remember him getting on his knees and playing the guitar. I’ll never forget the look on my daddy’s face at that show. I guess that’s the night I decided I was going to communicate with my daddy through the music he loved. It was the only way I could communicate with him