# Bill Deasy

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**Bill Deasy** is a singer-songwriter, recording artist and author born and raised in [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania. In the late 1980s, Deasy's musical start blossomed at open stages in and around Pittsburgh. Within a few years Deasy and his band, Shiloh, outscored [Rusted Root](/source/Rusted_Root) to win the 1991 Graffiti Rock Challenge, a local Pittsburgh competition.[1] By the mid-90s, with Shiloh defunct, a new group emerged and Deasy became the lead singer-songwriter of [The Gathering Field](/source/The_Gathering_Field), whose regional hit "Lost in America", from an album by the same name, led to a deal with [Atlantic Records](/source/Atlantic_Records) in 1996.[2] After parting ways with Atlantic, The Gathering Field released three more albums: *Reliance*, the self-titled *The Gathering Field* and *So Close To Home*. During that time Deasy also released a semi-acoustic solo album, *[Spring Lies Waiting](/source/Spring_Lies_Waiting)*.[3] [The Gathering Field](/source/The_Gathering_Field) did not record for several years during which time Deasy continued to record and perform as mostly a solo act.[4] In 2014, The Gathering Field reunited for their release *Wild Journey* and in 2017 Deasy and Gathering Field band-mate Dave Brown released *Glory Bound*.

## Career

*Spring Lies Waiting* was Deasy's first solo effort, made while The Gathering Field was still together and produced by the band's lead guitarist and producer, Dave Brown.[3] *[Good Day No Rain](/source/Good_Day_No_Rain)* followed as Deasy's first official release as a solo artist on his own Bound To Be Records label. Four of the songs on the CD were produced by [Gregg Wattenberg](/source/Gregg_Wattenberg) and the balance co-produced by Deasy and Dave McNair.[5] *[Chasing Down a Spark](/source/Chasing_Down_a_Spark)* was the follow-up to the 2003 release *Good Day No Rain*. The CD was produced by Kevin Salem and mixed by Joe Blaney. The majority of the new CD was recorded in [Woodstock](/source/Woodstock_(town),_New_York) and New York City and features guitar work from [The Clarks](/source/The_Clarks)’ Rob James and producer Kevin Salem. Two members of Deasy's Pittsburgh-based band, Scott Tamulinas and Dave Throckmorton provide bass and drums, respectively. Other session players were Rob Arthur on keyboards, Oli Kraus on cello and [David Mansfield](/source/David_Mansfield) on pedal steel and violin. The CD also features guest appearances by [Donnie Iris](/source/Donnie_Iris), The Clarks’ Scott Blasey, [Rachael Yamagata](/source/Rachael_Yamagata) and [Maia Sharp](/source/Maia_Sharp).[6][7] *The Miles* was Deasy's first self-produced recording, released in July 2007. Recorded in Pittsburgh, it features members of the Bill Deasy band and a guest appearance by Los Angeles singer-songwriter Renee Stahl.[8] *Drain Tapes, Volume 1* is a 7-song EP containing acoustic demos of songs not previously recorded. Songs include "Better Than Never at All," "Somebody Else’s Town" and "The Light I See."[9] In 2003 Deasy wrote "Learning to Fall" with Odie Blackmon, that was recorded by [Martina McBride](/source/Martina_McBride) for her album [Martina](/source/Martina_(Martina_McBride_album)). In September 2007 Deasy wrote and performed the promotional piece "Your Home" for [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh) TV Station, [KDKA](/source/KDKA-TV).[8] In November 2008 Deasy released *A Different Kind of Wild*, a collection of "heartfelt and earnest" songs that include him playing keyboards for the first time.[10] The collection of ten songs is another "thoughtful and intimate"[11] record on which Deasy penned nine of the ten songs without collaboration.[11]

One year later, Deasy released his sixth full-length solo CD *Being Normal*. One review of the CD states: "The full-band instrumentation on *Being Normal* is flavorful without being overbearing."[12]

In 2013 Deasy released *Start Again,* a record that he says is a reflection of the musicians who first inspired him such as [Van Morrison](/source/Van_Morrison), [Neil Young](/source/Neil_Young), [Bob Dylan](/source/Bob_Dylan) and [Jackson Browne](/source/Jackson_Browne). Produced by Chris Parker, the album includes songs co-written with Odie Blackmon and [Kim Richey](/source/Kim_Richey). Once again [Maia Sharp](/source/Maia_Sharp) is a guest vocalist.[13]

## Collaborations

Although Deasy pens the majority of his own material by himself, some collaborations do appear on the full-length CDs cited in this discography and the Gathering Field's *Reliance* album. Among the co-writers represented are Odie Blackmon, [Paul Brady](/source/Paul_Brady), Molly Bancroft and [Teitur](/source/Teitur_Lassen). However, Deasy collaborates more frequently when he is writing for artists other than himself. Some of these songs have appeared on albums by [Martina McBride](/source/Martina_McBride), [Kim Richey](/source/Kim_Richey), [The Clarks](/source/The_Clarks), [Bijou Phillips](/source/Bijou_Phillips), [Howard Jones](/source/Howard_Jones_(British_musician)), [Billy Ray Cyrus](/source/Billy_Ray_Cyrus) and [Michael Stanley](/source/Michael_Stanley). He has written with songwriters such as [Mark Hudson](/source/Mark_Hudson_(musician)), [Darrell Brown](/source/Darrell_Brown_(musician)), [Richie Supa](/source/Richie_Supa_(songwriter)), [Stephen Bishop](/source/Stephen_Bishop_(musician)), [Maia Sharp](/source/Maia_Sharp), [Kim Richey](/source/Kim_Richey), [Jane Wiedlin](/source/Jane_Wiedlin) and Jamie Houston.[4]

In 2001, during a trip to Nashville, Deasy and [Larry Gottlieb](/source/Larry_Gottlieb) wrote a song called "Good Things are Happening". A demo of the song was submitted to the television show *[Good Morning America](/source/Good_Morning_America)* and was selected to appear as part of a promotional campaign. The 10-week campaign was extended for four years and the song became known as the Good Morning America theme song. [5][14]

In early 2007 Deasy joined creative forces with Rick Jacques, formerly a guitarist in the Pittsburgh band Brownie Mary. Within a few months Deasy and Jacques had co-written a handful of songs. Continuing their collaboration, the result was a "shimmering studio product"[15] titled *The Invisible Ocean* released in early 2008. The duo chose to release the CD under the name *Thomas Jefferson's Aeroplane* which, Deasy says, was sparked by a discussion about the book *[The Disappearance of the Universe](/source/The_Disappearance_of_the_Universe)* which stated that Thomas Jefferson had his own version of the bible.[16]

## Published works

Deasy's debut novel, *[Ransom Seaborn](/source/Ransom_Seaborn)*, was published to in August 2006 by Velluminous Press. The novel was the recipient of the 2006 Needle Award.[17] One reviewer said, "There's no shortage of [coming-of-age novels](/source/Bildungsroman), so any addition to the genre best have something unique about it. Bill Deasy's debut, *Ransom Seaborn*, has an original premise, one amazingly eccentric character and some solid writing to recommend."[18]

Velluminous published Deasy's second novel, *Traveling Clothes,* in October 2009.[19] The third novel in the trilogy – *Ghost Tree* – was published in 2010.[20]

## Interesting facts

– The song "Levi" was inspired by getting his hair washed before a haircut in New York City. The salon was located on the second floor, hence the beginning line: "I was baptized by Levi in a second floor sink". He finished composing the bulk of the song on a [subway](/source/Subway_(rail)) back downtown.[6]

– Deasy tours across the country as a headlining act but has also opened up for artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, [Rosanne Cash](/source/Rosanne_Cash), [Patty Griffin](/source/Patty_Griffin), [John Hiatt](/source/John_Hiatt), [World Party](/source/World_Party), [Norah Jones](/source/Norah_Jones) and the late [Warren Zevon](/source/Warren_Zevon).[4]

## Discography

- {|class="wikitable"

|2023 |*Live at Club Cafe* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2022 |*If the Creek Don't Rise* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2018 |*Swingers, Scamps & Stallions* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2017 |*Glory Bound (with Dave Brown)* |Mudpuppy Records |- |2016 |*Timeless Things* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2014 |*Wild Journey (Gathering Field)* |Mudpuppy Records |- |2013 |*Start Again* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2011 |*Gathering Field Live (Gathering Field)* |Mudpuppy Records |- |2010 | *Express (Thomas Jefferson's Aeroplane)* | Cousteau Records |- |2009 |*Being Normal* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2008 |*A Different Kind of Wild* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2008 |*The Invisible Ocean* (Thomas Jefferson's Aeroplane) |Cousteau Records |- |2007 |*The Miles* |Slightly Aimless Records |- |2005 |*Chasing Down a Spark* |Bound to Be Records |- |2004 |*Drain Tapes, Vol 1* |Bound to Be Records |- |2003 |*Good Day No Rain* |Bound to Be Records |- |2001 |*So Close to Home (Gathering Field)* |Mudpuppy |- |2000 |*Spring Lies Waiting* |Onoma Records |- |1999 |*Reliance (Gathering Field)* |Onoma Records |- |1996 |*Lost in America (Gathering Field)* |Atlantic Records |- |1994 |*The Gathering Field (Gathering Field)* |Mudpuppy Record |}

## References

1. Hayes, John. [Bill Deasy writes country tunes while still performing his own folk-rock songs.](http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20031230deasy1230p2.asp) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, December 30, 2003. Retrieved December 2, 2008.

1. Masley, Ed. [Weekend Music: Optimistic frontman keeps the Gathering Field playing to win.](http://www.post-gazette.com/magazine/19990409gather8.asp) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, April 9, 1999. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Masley, Ed. [The Buzz: Bill Deasy took a quiet approach in creating his solo album.](http://www.post-gazette.com/magazine/19991208people8.asp) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, December 8, 1999. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Zuchowski, Dave. [Deasy bringing band to Uptown.](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05107/488362-58.stm) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, April 17, 2005. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Behe, Regis. [Bill Deasy set to release 'happier' solo CD.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_125365.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, March 25, 2003. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Masley, Ed. [Concert Preview: Bill Deasy hopes new record takes his career to next level.](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05195/537259-42.stm) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, July 14, 2005. Retrieved Nov. 25. 2008.

1. Behe, Regis. [Deasy takes next step in solo career.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_353883.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, July 16, 2005. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Behe, Regis. [Deasy hopes 'The Miles' goes the distance on the charts.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com:8000/x/pittsburghtrib/living/events/s_525855.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, September 6, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Masley, Ed. [Bill Deasy taps into archives with 'Drain Tapes'.](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04331/417049-42.stm) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, November 26, 2004. Retrieved November 25, 2008.

1. Behe, Regis. [For rocker Deasy, it's all about experimentation.](http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/s_599381.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, November 21, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2008.

1. Mervis, Scott. [Deasy gets to the heart of songs with new record.](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08325/929157-42.stm) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.

1. Tady, Scott. [Deasy makes it look easy/5Q's with one of Pittsburgh's top songsmiths.](http://www.timesonline.com/entertainment/entertainment_details/article/1401/2009/december/13/deasy-makes-it-look-easy5qs-with-one-of-pittsburghs-top-songsmiths.html) *Beaver County Times*, December 13, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2009.

1. Mervis, Scott. [Singer-songwriter Bill Deasy recommits to his roots on 'Start Again'.](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/preview-singer-songwriter-bill-deasy-recommits-to-his-roots-on-start-again-684850) *The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, April 25, 2013.

1. Behe, Regis. ['Good Things are Happening' for Gathering Field's Deasy.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_91118.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, September 15, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2008. [dead link]

1. Behe, Regis. [Songwriting collaboration takes flight as CD.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_566269.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, May 8, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.

1. Mervis, Scott. [Music Preview: Bill Deasy and Rich Jacques pilot Thomas Jefferson's Aeroplane Ready for takeoff.](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08129/879829-388.stm) *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, May 8, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.

1. Pod-Dy Mouth.com. [The 2006 Needle Award Winner!](https://girlondemand.blogspot.com/2007/03/2006-needle-award-winner.html) March 7, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2008.

1. Behe, Regis.[Songwriter Deasy puts pen to paper for debut novel.](http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/books/s_472663.html)[dead link] *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review*, October 1, 2006. Retrieved November 24, 2008.

1. Velluminous Press website. [*Traveling Clothes* – Bill Deasy.](http://velluminous.com) Retrieved November 24, 2009.

1. Amazon.com. [Bill Deasy: Ghost Tree.](https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Tree-Bill-Deasy/dp/190560520X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b)

## External links

- [Bill Deasy official website](http://www.billdeasy.com)
- [Bill Deasy on MySpace](http://www.myspace.com/billdeasy)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bill Deasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Deasy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Deasy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.