Comments on: Lifenotes: Billy Deaton [updated 11/3]

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:46:19 +0000

I was stationed with Billy at Lackland AFB Texas in the late fifties and he brought a lot of good country music to the base when country music was country.

By: tex whitson

tex whitson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:34:51 +0000

Billy Deaton was a damn fine Man. Had a grand heart. The Deacon had a way of being a pain in the ass at times but his intentions were always good.
I once visited the place in Mississippi Billy was born in at Billy’s invite. The town had some sort of celebration for him, home town boy did good thing. I have never seen a poorer place. From that worn out dirt and cottonfields Billy made his way into the U.S. Air Force and on to Country Music. He met Jim Reeves while he was booking shows for the base he was stationed on in Texas. Jim Reeves liked him and was very instrumental in getting Billy started. After his discharge from the Service Jim Reeves cut a couple of records on Billy. Also loaned him some money for equipment and transportation so the “Deacon” could get his show on the road.
Billy finally realized his talent might be in some area other than Singing. He started the booking agency and did OK. Made a lot of friends and helped plenty of the “Old Time” acts.

Billy delighted in photos. If you ever wanted to get Billy up against a wall just pull out a camera. He had a great collection of photos with the people he worked with over the years.

I always thought his biggest challenge in life was trying to manage and make sense of Faron Young. Faron could try a mans nerve. He could make Jello get out of a bowl and take a walk. Billy hung in there and did his best with a problem entertainer.
The Deacon had a great line of promotional jargon. I listened to his pitch a number of times. My favorite was the line of reason he used when trying to get an act to add a date to the tour. There would be some strange burg, “Old Middesap”, “Doodlesville” or Cyanide Springs, in the middle of nothing but the Deacon would have some venue on the line. Might be a Gymnasium, old folks home or a pool hall but he had them dealing. His famous, ” YOU MIGHT AS WELL STOP AND PLAY THE DATE, YOU ARE GOING RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF TOWN.” was sure to be spoken.
Billy Deaton, “The Deacon” of Nashville booking agents. His word was good and he was good Soul. What more can you ask of a Man.

By: Lynda Walker Steed

Lynda Walker Steed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:28:31 +0000

Billy was my first cousin. We shared lots of good times. He will surely be missed by our family.

By: J'aime Rimer

J'aime Rimer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:30:06 +0000

I worked with Mr.D for the past five years and am grateful for the chance to have known this wonderful man. He always offered the best Nashville entertainment advice, and encouraged me often to listen to different artists. His smile and laugh will be greatly missed here at Bethany!

By: Kathy Herod

Kathy Herod — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:51:19 +0000

I work at the nursing home where Billie lived the last few years of his life. As the activity director you can only imagine the wonderful things I learned from this amazing man! A heart the size of Nashville, he never met a stranger and always made you feel like you were special! He blessed me with his friendship and he always had time to share his love for country music with me. I will miss my very special friend and I’m sure Heaven is welcoming him with open arms!
Thanks Billie for all you’ve done! I love you!

By: Tammy Clark

Tammy Clark — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:38 +0000

Billy was a great person I was proud to have known him.

By: scarlet gregory

scarlet gregory — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:53:18 +0000

Billy was my cousin and he did a lot of great things for a lot of people. May he rest in peace.

By: scott siman

scott siman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:13:47 +0000

Billy was a one-of-a-kind. Remembering pitching him songs for Faron Young with my dad. Rest in peace.