Born in New London, Connecticut, Febuary 1,1941, Shor'ty Billups(pronounced Shor-tay), started at an earley age singing and playing the piano . He started traveling and performing for our "Troops" at the age of 15yrs. old with the U.S.O. At the age of 18 years old he set aside his "dancing shoes" for the purpose of serving our country for the next four years, never losing site of his vision.
After his tour of duty , he returned home and accomplished four years of college. Mr. Billups, decided to focus solely on his music(lucky for us) in the late 50's. He then went to New York seeking his "fame and forture" as a recording artist There he almost starved to death eating a bag of potato chips a day(1/2 morning 1/2 night) He made his first hit "BLACK CATS"(his first of many 45's).
In 1961, he taught himself to play the drums and he has been keeping that "funky" beat every since to this present day. He is one of the first with the ability to keep the beat while singing and "wooing the crowds.
Mr. Billups, has had an illustrious and captivating career( still going strong),writing, singing, and performing all over the world. He plays and sings his heart out , whether it was on the "chit'ling circuit" or at Corneige Hall with Johnny "rockhouse" Green and even the Apollo Theatre.
If we dig deep we will find that "the short man with the funky foot" has graced the paths of many great Artists. Just to mention a few; Oscar Toney,Jr. ,Wlson Pickett,Clarence Carter,Tommy Hunt,Bill Doggett, Carla and Rufus Thomas, King Charles , Jackie Wilson, Latimore, recently, James Cotton, Lousiana Red, Elmore James Jr., James Montgomery, the list goes on and on.
He moved south for 15yrs, continued to captivate the crowds with his electrifying voice and unforgetable performances through out the South. Not forgetting his Northern "roots", He resides in Boston, Ma. lending his "soulful expertise" when available.
You can check out his new CD called SHOR'TY'S GOT THE BLUES. He has written , sang and produced approximately 26-28 songs on his label SOLID GOLD and other various labels.
He recently help form a Blues Society called "The Down Home Blues Society,Inc, in which
he is the Music Co-ordinator. It is a non-profit organization.
