The Diamond Experience

(see online EPK for band Biography)

BILLY FARMER
Billy Farmer is an accomplished acoustic guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has been a full-time stage performer for 25 years. It was clear very early on that music was alive in Billy Farmer. As early as the age of five, Billy recalls being enthralled with the songs that family friends would sing and play. By the age of 9 he was singing solos in his church choir. On the Christmas he was ten, he received The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Rolling Stones’ Let it Bleed. Life changed after that. Rock ‘n Roll captured his heart and there was no turning back. Billy began playing guitar at age 12 and by the age of 16, he was writing his own songs. In high school he began forming bands and playing locally, then in 1983 at the age of 22, Billy began professionally performing full-time. Over the course of his career he has he has led a number of bands while singing and playing multiple genres of music including blues, bluegrass, country, folk, and rock. He has toured parts of Canada and the western US extensively and he has released four CDs with 2 more on the way this year. Billy currently lives in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington performing regionally as a solo artist as well as in a number of bands, but performing in The Diamond Experience is especially meaningful to him. Neil Diamond has always been and continues to be a great inspiration to him.

TERENCE PAUL O’HARA
Terence Paul O’Hara has been performing regionally for more than ten years as musical director, pianist, and accompanist. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Cornish College of the Arts in piano performance. He has covered the gamut, performing Broadway musicals, jazz and blues, popular music and avant-garde. Neil Diamond has always been one of Terry’s favorite singer/songwriters and it is a pleasure to perform his music. Terry says “Playing with these musicians - Jay, Rick and Billy - makes the Diamond Experience a very special experience for me.”

RICK GONZALEZ
Singer-Songwriter Rick Gonzalez was born and raised just outside of Chicago in Cicero, Illinois. He grew up in a cultural melting pot of family and community. Rick was exposed to many musical styles, from R&B, blues and jazz to folk, rock and country. They all left a lasting impression and influence both his writing and playing to this day. As a teenager, he landed his first gig playing guitar and singing in a rock band and has spent most of his adult life as a working musician. He played rock, blues and jazz in Chicago, traditional and contemporary country in Arizona. He traveled throughout the west with a road band and opened for national acts in the Phoenix area. Over the last few years, Rick's focus has been on writing and he is currently enjoying a solo career playing acoustic guitar and singing as well as playing bass and singing back-up in The Diamond Experience.

JAY DOUGLAS
Jay Douglas was born in Tacoma, Washington and is well regarded as a premiere drummer in the Northwest music scene. Jay graduated from Bates Technical College with a radio and television license. Jay started playing drums and percussion at an early age. He sharpened his drumming skills playing in local high school bands. Jay went on to play with Northwest groups such as Ready Made Family and the Local Blues Brothers Revue. He was a member of the Seattle Seahawks Sea Pit Orchestra for three years. Jay has also played with Northwest greats Darren Motamedy and Tony Gable & 206. Additional highlights in his career were playing with The Platters and The Drifters. Jay Douglas owned the Tacoma Drum Shop for 10 years and has been teaching drums and percussion for 15 years.

For more information visit http://www.thedxp.com