About Bill Brickey
Introduction
Bill Brickey Musician & Music Educator
From his early musical theater education to his many years as a frontman in bands of most every genre, Bill has demonstrated an unrelenting passion and deep understanding of the performing arts.
A 36 year veteran of the Old Town School of Folk Music headquartered in Chicago, Bill is a much respected instructor and recipient of 3 Inspired Teaching awards and recognized as an OTSFM Music Legend. A teacher who freely shares his gifts, talents, skills and experience with his students. Teaching Rhythm and Fingerstyle Guitar, Pop and Soul Music Ensembles, Wiggleworms, Songwritng, Vocal Tech 4 Guitarists, Engineering for Home Recording and Performance.
A founding member of Chicago bands Red Handed, Steam Shovel, BLT, Groove Cognizance, Wood, Bone & Steel, Count the Days, and Come Sunday (whose first critically acclaimed CD received a rare 3.5 stars from Downbeat Magazine), Bill has built remarkable career and a dedicated following. A compelling vocalist influenced by R&B, he is just as comfortable with Country, Folk, Gospel and Rock Music.
Brickey is an infusion, an influential voice on the music scene, a skilled guitarist and masterful vocalist. Bill takes his audiences on a wild ride through groove-based jams, blues tinged traditions, and personal story-songs of love and loss. Bill heard music calling and he answered it with his life’s work.
Music Educator
Bill has been lovingly referred to by students as the “Zen Guitar Teacher” because of his self taught stylings and open minded approach to learning. Bill’s classrooms are dynamic and full of laughter. While he follows a lesson plan, he is often inspired by feedback from his students, which he uses to customize the class. He often teaches a song by ear in addition to the songs written in the class packet.
Bill studied film and video production in London. While there, he also studied classical guitar with Gerry Garcia of the London Philharmonic. He hosted a children’s after school TV show on the Waukegan public access channel where he read books on air. Bill is certified by the state of Illinois as a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade music teacher. He has received two Old Town School Inspired Teacher Awards and was featured on two of the Old Town School Songbook CDs. Bill was the founder of the School’s Juneteenth program, which eventually developed into World Music Wednesday concerts. He is also the founder of Elastic Revolution’s Emerging Artist series in Logan Square.
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