Live Music: Hamilton Loomis

Hamilton Loomis

Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, Loomis is the son of musician parents who listened to blues, rock, and soul. Music ran in his veins and, with instruments readily available around the house, he picked up drums, piano, guitar, and harmonica, honing his multi-instrumental talent in addition to performing regularly as part of his family’s doo-wop group.

“My parents had a fantastic record collection and, when I started writing, I gravitated towards what I’d been listening to all my life. I have a huge reverence for the blues and all it encompasses, but I’ve always been fond of R&B and funky music.”

A protégé of Bo Diddley, Loomis met the icon backstage at the age of 16 at Houston’s famed venue Rockefeller’s. Before the night was over, Loomis was onstage playing guitar with the legend. Diddley quickly became a friend, mentor, collaborator, and supporter, appearing on two of Loomis’ albums and presenting a cherished red guitar that he still plays.

Billy Stoops

Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Stoops has called the Pacific Northwest home for over two decades.

The energetic and charismatic frontman was named “Entertainer of the Year” and “Best Male Vocalist” by the Washington Blues Society, while his distinctive guitar style on both electric and acoustic along with his groove-oriented songwriting garnered him a Tacoma Music Award for “Male Performer of the Year”.

Billy’s new release “Dirt Angel”, the long-awaited follow up to his acclaimed 2007 recording “Little Devil” features Stoops’ rich, soulful vocals and poignant lyrics on 10 all-original pure-D Americana tunes. His new band aptly entitled Billy Stoops & the Dirt Angels support the album and tour with an all-star lineup of root’s rockin’ musicians.

Stoops is also a founding member of the popular swamp/roots band Junkyard Jane, a group with a briefcase full of accolades that have released seven CDs of original music in their 19-year tenure.

A former president of the Wichita Blues Society, Billy served on the Board of Directors for LMIA (Louisville Music Association), MERF (Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation), and the Tacoma Music Awards Committee. He is currently in his 19th year as Emcee of the semiannual “Sunbanks Festival”, and was promoted to Director of Festivals in 2001.

Billy recently joined forces with Mighty Mouth Entertainment as Vice-President of Talent Acquisition and Festivals. His other past and present festival involvement include production coordinator for the “Untapped Brews and Blues Festival”, co-producer and emcee for the “Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival”, talent coordinator and board member of the “Leavenworth Music Festival”, emcee and talent coordinator for “Moonfest”, and emcee and co-director of the “Emerald City Music Fest”.

And if all that’s not enough – the Reverend Billy Stoops is a wedding officiant and has performed over 25 unique and interesting ceremonies since 1999.

A proud father and grandfather, Billy’s hobbies include cycling, cooking, and most of all hanging out in Sayulita, Mexico where his kids and grandchildren live.