Billy Pilgrim

Billy Pilgrim (also billy pilgrim) was an American folk rock duo based in Atlanta, Georgia, comprising Andrew Hyra (a brother of actress Meg Ryan) and Kristian Bush. The band's name itself was borrowed from the time-traveling protagonist of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. The name was adopted in 1994, prior to that the duo simply billed itself as Andrew Hyra and Kristian Bush. The band has released two albums on a major record label (Billy Pilgrim, Bloom) and several independently. The songs "Get Me Out Of Here" and "Sweet Louisiana" were released as singles.^[1]

History

Kristian Bush and Andrew Hyra first began working together in 1990. After performing together for about a year they started recording their songs to tape. The self-release St. Christopher's Crossing was recorded in two days in a studio in Knoxville and appeared in 1991^[2] (credited to "Andrew Hyra & Kristian Bush") on cassette. The album was released on CD in 1992 when Amy Ray of Indigo Girls helped them with the release costs. Playing hundreds of shows in the Southwest their effort was noticed and they proceeded to record their second album Words Like Numbers under the indie label Sister Ruby. After this they signed to Atlantic Records, naming the group "Billy Pilgrim". ^[3]

In 1993 Billy Pilgrim recorded their debut album at Nickel and Dime Studios with Don McCollister producing and Hugh Padgham mixing the record. The eponymous album was a moderate success when released in 1994. With the next album, Bloom, the band launched a fall tour, headlining larger venues than they had in the past. Yet in early 1996, the band was dropped by Atlantic. After releasing several albums thru Internet only, the album In the Time Machine became their last effort to date, released on May 12, 2001.^[1] Billy Pilgrim are not currently active (2006), but no official disbanding has been announced.^[4]

Other projects

Both Hyra and Bush have released solo albums and worked with other musicians. Bush formed the country music group Sugarland in 2002 with Jennifer Nettles and Kristen Hall (who left in 2006, reducing Sugarland to a duo). Hyra released a solo album, Lost Songs, in 2006.^[5]

Discography

Billy Pilgrim has released albums from 1991 - 2001.^[1][2]

Official albums

• Billy Pilgrim (January 1994)
• Bloom (May 1995) - Billboard Heatseekers #37^[3]

Independent releases

• St. Christopher's Crossing as Kristian Bush & Andrew Hyra (1991, cassette; 1992 CD)
• Words Like Numbers as Andrew Hyra & Kristian Bush (1993, 1994 re-issue)
• Live From Wildhack, MT (September 1999)

• recorded live at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia in December 1998

Singles

• "Hurricane Season" (1994 USA)
• "Insomniac" (1994 USA)
• "Get Me Out Of Here" (1994, Germany)
• "Try" (1994 USA Promo only)
• "Sweet Louisiana Sound" (1995)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Billy Pilgrim Homepage bio
2. ^ ^{a b} Billy Pilgrim discography by Stacie Pierce
3. ^ ^{a b} Allmusic.com biography
4. ^ Billy Pilgrim homepage
5. ^ Andrewhyra.com Lost Songs album info

External links

• Billy Pilgrim homepage
• Billy Pilgrim discography by Stacie Pierce
• Kristian Bush homepage
• Andrew Hyra homepage
• Andrew Hyra MySpace page