Billy Joe Royal's career began with disappointment. Joe South wrote a song he hoped would be recorded by Gene Pitney. Pitney never recorded the song. Joe South was a prolific songwriter with many successes including Games people Play, which he recorded himself. That song won a Grammy Award in 1968 for Song of the Year.
Now back to Billy Joe Royal. In 1965, Joe South asked his roommate, Billy Joe Royal, to record a demo of the song he had written for Gene Pitney. The demo tape was played for Columbia Records who signed the unknown artist to a six year deal. That song, Down In The Boondocks, became his debut record and a Top Ten hit.
Treasure Island Oldies presents Billy Joe Royal in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote for either Cherry Hill Park or I Knew You When. I'll play the winner on next week's show.
