Baillie & the Boys

Baillie & the Boys was an American country band formed in Newark, DE in 1973. Kathie Baillie (lead vocals, guitar) and Michael Bonagura (backing vocals, guitars) after meeting on a blind date at the University of Delaware formed an acoustic pop/folk duo performing at local taverns and coffee shops throughout the Wilmington, Delaware area. With the addition of longtime friend Alan LeBoeuf (backing vocals, bass) the duo turned trio developed its’ unique vocal blend; similar to groups like Crosby Stills & Nash; America and other West Coast vocal country influenced rock bands of that time. With Kathie’s powerful heartfelt lead vocal embraced by the creative harmonies that distinguished this group from others; it was eminent national success would find Baillie & The Boys way into the history of American country music. First gaining industry awareness through national commercials for; Burger King, Gallo Wine, Soft And Dry (and others) the trio was signed by industry giant Doug Morris to the Atlantic Records division Big Tree Records; releasing the group’s first Billboard charted single; “Please Don’t Tell Me Goodnight” in 1976 under the name Bittersweet. Disassociated and feeling out of place in the New York music scene of the late 70’s the trio moved to the island of Bermuda for a two year residency at The Robin Hood Pub. It is there that the group after performing over 200 shows in a two year period developed its unmistakable present day country / pop sound. Relocating to Nashville, TN in 1983; determined to achieve relevance in the Nashville country music scene; the groups 3 part vocal harmonies soon found their place and were used by many of the biggest names in country music including; Vince Gill, Randy Travis, Lynn Anderson, Marie Osmond, Dan Seals, Mo Bandy and many others.

Nashville

After singing background vocals on dozens of hit country records as well as writing hit songs for some of Nashville’s biggest stars one night; while performing at one of Music Rows infamous night spots; The Hall Of Fame, the trio was discovered by Jeff Cook: (founding member of the group Alabama) who brought them to the attention of Joe Galante (president of RCA Records) who immediately; after hearing the trio perform “a live 30 minute audition” in his office; signed the act to a recording contract. The first single; “Oh Heart”, produced by Kyle Lehning and Paul Davis was a Billboard Top Ten Hit (Awarded one of the years most performed radio singles by ASCAP)and was followed by 10 consecutive Billboard country hits such as; She Deserves You, I Can’t Turn The Tide, Wilder Days, (I Wish I Had A) Heart Of Stone. In 1990 the group released what was to become one of their biggest hits which hit #2 on the country airplay charts; the remake of Hank Snow's classic, "A Fool Such As I" followed by "Treat Me Like A Stranger" and "Perfect" completing a perfect string of 10 consecutive Top Ten Hits while on the RCA label. In 1995 Kathie Baillie co-hosted one of TNN's top rated variety shows; Yesteryear as well as hosting several award shows and television specials. Numerous award nominations for Vocal Group Of The Year by the Country Music Association, Academy Of Country Music, and The Music City Awards along with years of constant touring led to the departure of Alan LeBoeuf who was replaced by Lance Hoppen (bass and backing vocals) best known as a founding member of the pop group, Orleans, (Still The One, Dance With Me).

Background

Singers Alan LeBoeuf and Michael Bonagura were originally members of a New Jersey-based musical group called London Fog.^[1] In 1977, Bonagura met singer Kathie Baillie after a friend sent him recordings of her work; Bonagura and Baillie married the same year.^[2] Shortly afterward, Bonagura and Baillie joined up with LeBoeuf, forming the lineup for Baillie & the Boys. The trio toured throughout the state of New Jersey, and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee after a friend persuaded them.^[2]

The trio first found work singing harmony vocals on singles for Ed Bruce, Dan Seals and Randy Travis, and Bonagura co-wrote Marie Osmond's single "There's No Stopping Your Heart".^[2] In 1987, Baillie & the Boys were signed to a record deal on the RCA Records label. Their self-titled album was released that year, producing three Top 20 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts. Turn The Tide, their second album, was released a year later. It produced four consecutive Top 10 hits on the country charts, including "(Wish I Had a) Heart of Stone", their highest-charting single.

LeBoeuf left the group in 1988 shortly after the release of Turn the Tide.^[2] Baillie & the Boys then toured as a duo, with their 1990 album The Lights of Home including only Baillie and Bonagura, although Lance Hoppen, formerly of Orleans, filled in while the band was on tour with George Strait.^[3] The role was later filled by Roger McVay, who had toured with the band since 1992 but was not declared an official member until 1995.^[4] McVay's first appearance as an official member was on the 1996 album Lovin' Every Minute.

The group then went on hiatus before reuniting in August 1998 to perform a benefit concert in Daytona Beach, Florida, one year before McVay left. LeBoeuf again assumed the role of high harmony vocals, returning the band to its original lineup.^[5] A fifth album, titled The Road That Led Me to You, was released on an independent label in 2000.^[1] Baillie also released a solo album, titled Love's Funny That Way, on February 20, 2007. The title track of Baillie's solo album was released as a single shortly after. In December 2011, Baillie & the Boys released their latest album Unplugged, through the New York-based SynErgy Entertainment label.

Discography

References

External links

• BaillieAndTheBoysMusic.com - official website