PRODUCER'S BEAT BILLY NICHOLS
Music Producer of the Month
Billy Nichols (aka Papadollabill) was one of nine children born to Laura Bell and Tom Sanders in Carrollton, Mississippi. They were a farming family. At the end of the work day, Billy's father played blues on the guitar. Billy and his family gathered on the porch to listen.
When he was 14, the family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. Billy joined the high school band and played in a local band with his brother Ernest, Lyn Perry and Bob Burgess. After high school, he joined the gospel group The Bells of Harmony and traveled from church to church.
Billy then joined Jimmy Vick and The Victors. After they recorded a single in 1963, they had their picture in Billboard Magazine and got some local radio airplay. However, by November, the group broke up. In 1964, Billy went to Detroit to live with his brother with his guitar.
He and Tony Newton were hired by Motown Records where his first job was playing with Martha and the Vandellas.
Billy was also in the Motown Road Band led by Choker Campbell where Billy played for the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, The Spinners, the Four Tops, and many other Motown artists. Later he became the musical director for Marvin Gaye touring and working with the band at all of his concerts.
His first hit song was "Ask Me What You Want" recorded by Millie Jackson in 1972. It reached the top twenty on Billboard. In 1973 penned the all-time classic entitled, "Do It Til You’re Satisfied," recorded by B.T. Express and released in 1974.
Billywent on to write and produce a couple of other hits for the group such as “Can’t Stop Groovin’” and “Shout It Out.” In 1979, near the end of the disco era, Billy wrote, sang and co-produced with Andre Saundersa disco classic entitled, “Give Your Body Up to the Music.” Billy produced two rap records, which are hip-hop classics, the pioneering: “The Adventures of Super Rhymes” and “Rhythm Rap Rock.”
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