Hitman: Billy, thanks for the taking the time to do this update. You and I haven’t put anything down on paper in two years.

BC: Hey Hitman, great to hear from you again and my pleasure as always.

Hitman: I recently talked with Jon Coleman about his solo CD, “Make it Fast”, which you did play on, that is a facet of the family atmosphere of the entire band, yes?

BC: Yes it is. Jon and I write together from time to time and have a blast. We also share a special spiritual kinship.

Hitman: And now, some more music by you on your MySpace page. You’ve recently added four songs, “Girl Country”, “Pretty Much”, my favorite “Dandelions in December” and “TGIM”. Can you give the readers some info on who plays on those tracks with you?

BC: Wayne Killius plays drums, the Rock of Gibraltar, Randy Threet plays bass, Troy Johnson is singing, and I play everything else. “Dandelions” is co-written with my wife. By the way, she is a great little writer herself and you just made her day!!!!!

Hitman: You must get some satisfaction also with over 7,000 plays of “Runnin’ With the Rebels”, and over 9,000 for” The Last Ghost Town”. Also, is this rumor true that “Last Ghost Town” may wind up on? The group’s CD?

BC: It is very flattering that people go and listen to my songs. We have worked “Ghost Town” up with the band and it sounds great. The plan is to put it on the record. I am especially proud of that one since I usually co-write songs and this one I wrote by myself, and the band was gracious enough to want to record it.

Hitman: I’ve made it a point by not saying the group’s name, which in itself is still a touchy issue. So, I’ll ask this one only question about that subject. Would you agree in my assertion, that no matter what the band may be forced to call it self, you are The Outlaws in the eyes of the fans you’ve played in front of the last two years?

BC: You know, I started hanging out with the Outlaws in ’73 and it was Hughie, Henry, Billy, Frank, and Monte, with David coming back in later. That is what I always considered the Outlaws. Everyone else, including myself, came along after the fact. The only common denominator in my book is Henry and Monte, since the rest have passed away, so I feel they rightfully get to carry on the torch. Without them, there are no Outlaws.

Hitman: Jon Coleman said his CD came about because of his stockpiling of songs he had written over the last few years. Do you think that may happen for you also?

BC: Maybe at some point. I am not the singer the other guys are so I don’t know how confident I would be with that although I have been hailed the Neil Young of Country Music here in Nashville, LOL…..

Hitman: There’s been a long running story, a comical one, on Facebook, of your neighbor known to us as “Rooster Boy.” Does he have any sense, any idea of how we have all come to love hearing about his misadventures?

BC: Good grief, I hope not or I will have another lawsuit on my hands!!!!! I don’t think the poor boy is aware of the internet. Actually, he is really a thorn in our side and it is a way to deal with the frustration over the situation. I have made the Boy famous and am thinking about writing a book.

Hitman: Your wife Sandy is quite an accomplished horsewoman. How’s she doing, competition wise? I’m not sure if you two are aware, but here in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen’s daughter, Jessica, is quite a rider. I know this past fall she won the nation’s top equitation prize, the Pessoa/USEF Hunt Seat Medal.

BC: Sandy IS quite the accomplished horsewoman. She loves to compete but mainly for fun. She has a real God given talent with horses and believe me her horses are well trained!!! Of course, I can get on their back and they will look at me like, “What the hell do you want?” My horse, the fabulous Mary the Mare, just kind of meanders where she

Hitman: As a whole, how is the state of affairs for the horse farm business down your way? Here in Jersey it’s been a struggle with attendance down at the race tracks, the economy affecting so many people. The stables that have trail riding, teach horsemanship, etc, have struggled over the last few years.

BC: It is the same here. The real downside of it all is there are a record number of neglected and abused horses from people not being able to afford to care for them. THAT breaks my heart.

Hitman: You’ve written for other artists in the past, such as Martina McBride and Poco, anything you are currently working on now for someone we are familiar with or may have just completed?

BC: I have been working with a young lady by the name of Jordyn Shellhart. She is 15 years old and an amazing talent. She has a record out right now at Best Buy. I’m excited about having the privilege to write for Jon Coleman’s new project Brother Jon. It is composed of Jon and a guy named Jon Nite. I think they are amazing and great things are going to come from them. You should go to their website and check them out. Of course I am working with Henry and Chris whipping up some new band songs.

Hitman: “B.C.”, one thing I do know, how everybody over these last two years have all remarked about what a great guy you are. The way you have extended yourself to the fans has been just wonderful. I know, as we have spoken, sometimes you may have gotten burned, but for the large part, I’m sure you realize how admired you are by us. Have you sensed that there has been overwhelming acceptance as to your presence in the current band?

BC: Yes there has been. I was very apprehensive about doing this because Hughie was larger than life. Everyone has embraced me and it is just absolutely great. You know Hank, God has given me a wonderful talent and I NEVER want to abuse that talent. I consider you all not just fans but real friends. If it were not for you guys, I wouldn’t get the honor and pleasure of playing Hughie, Henry, Billy, Frank, and Monte’s great music. There have been a lot of things said good and bad but no one has personally said anything hurtful to me and I am grateful for that. Even those that don’t agree with the band carrying on have been very gracious and I am thankful for that.

Hitman: I have always been meaning to ask you this, and I have asked other musicians, is there anybody past or present that you wished you had an opportunity to play with? And along those lines, how’d you ever get to play Duane Allman’s Les Paul that is pictured on MySpace?

BC: I wish I could have played with Duane Allman. Another HUGE regret was not doing the Outlaws ’05 Reunion Tour and getting to play with Hughie. I was under contract at the time and couldn’t do it and I dearly regret it. On a high note, I did get to play “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” with Dickey Betts on a late night in a hotel room in Philadelphia on the ’80 ABB tour. I also got invited out many a night to play “Freebird” with Rossington Collins by Allen. I really cherish those moments. On a funny note, I once got scolded by Charlie Daniels for playing too many drum fills when I jumped in for one of their sick drummers in Chattanooga!!!! In 1977, I was playing with the Bobby Whitlock band, and we were opening for the Dixie Dregs in Nashville at the Exit Inn. Twiggs Lyndon was the Dreg’s road manager and happened to admire Duane’s influence in my playing. He asked me if I wanted to play Duane’s Les Paul that night and I flipped. What a cool memory. I also got to play Steve Gaines’ Stratocaster that was in the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash on the Feel The Heat album. You talking about some vibes!!!!!

Hitman: “B.C.”, thanks for this update, I hope to see you again soon. You stay well, and good luck to Sandy in any future competition she may have.

BC: Thank you Hitman, it has been a pleasure as always and hope to see you this summer.