The Sound…
More than 30 years of musical evolution incorporating an eclectic blend of influences have produced the precision and warmth that his guitar style now exudes. Perhaps the editors of “Charlotte’s Best” magazine summed it up most eloquently when they voted him “Best Local Acoustic” musician in July, 1994… “Tom Billotto plays brilliant guitar… [he] caresses many a song with sweet notes…” Tom’s sound is often described as “classy”…”tasteful”, and certainly his extensive musical training and influences are at the heart of these descriptions.
His adept finger-style guitar technique (melody, rhythm and bass simultaneously) took flight during formal music studies in college, culminating in a degree in Classical Guitar. Profoundly influenced by guitar greats Chet Atkins, John Williams, Earl Klugh, Joe Pass, Andres Segovia, Guy Van Duser and Martin Taylor, and many other classical, jazz and finger-style virtuosi, it’s no wonder audiences and fellow performers have described Tom as a “musicians’ musician”.
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tom Billotto passionately pursues a full-time music career, averaging 250 performances per year in: restaurants; concerts; festivals; country clubs; private, corporate and fundraising events; radio and TV. In so doing, Tom has polished his craft to bring an extraordinary assortment of music to his shows.
“Best Local Acoustic Musician…Tom Billotto plays brilliant guitar and his mellow voice caresses many a song with sweet notes.” Charlotte’s Best magazine
“Dear Tom, I want to thank you again for providing your marvelous guitar music for my daughter’s wedding ceremony. So many people mentioned how much they enjoyed it. Your music suggestions were perfect and you played them so beautifully. You made it very easy to create just the feel we wanted! I can’t thank you enough and would love to give you a personal recommendation anytime!” Suzanne Smith, Charlotte NC
“Tom, Thank you for doing such a beautiful job on our music during our wedding ceremony. As a newlywed yourself, you know the small touches are what make the day a special one. Thanks for adding such a beautiful touch to a day we will always remember!” Cathy and Greg Cullbertson, Charlotte NC
“Tom, Your music at the reception contributed to the entire event. I wanted you to know how happy my daughter was with the wedding and reception, and to thank you again for contributing to her happiness.” Alex Diffey, Charlotte NC
“Tom, Your music was beautiful and I can’t thank you enough for making our wedding day special. Thanks again for everything.” Sara Johnson, Charlotte NC
“Hi Tom, I want to thank you again for the wonderful job you did at our rehearsal dinner party last Friday. Your music and lovely singing were the perfect background for the evening! It was a grand night for our families, and you certainly added to the ambience. I am soooo glad you were available and that we found out about you. We had a great time.” Jane Ellsworth, Charleston SC
POPULAR INSTRUMENTALS
James Taylor
“Carolina In My Mind”
“Something In The Way She Moves”
Carol King
“You’ve Got A Friend”
The Beatles
“And I Love Her”
“Here, There And Everywhere”
“In My Life”
“All You Need Is Love”
“Here Comes The Sun”
“Something”
“I Will”
Stevie Wonder
“Overjoyed”
George & Ira Gershwin
“Someone To Watch Over Me”
Irving Berlin
“Always”
Christopher Cross
“Sailing”
Norah Jones
“Come Away With Me”
Michael Buble
“Home”
Orleans/Chet Atkins
“Sails”
(Disney)
“Someday My Prince Will Come”
Isham Jones/Gus Kahn
“It Had To Be You”
Edith Piaf/Louis Gugliemi
“Le Vie En Rose”
Vernon Duke/John Latouche
“Taking A Chance On Love”
Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke
“Polka Dots And Moonbeams”
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTALS
Wagner
“Bridal Chorus”
Johanne Pachelbel
“Canon In D”
Mendelssohn
“The Wedding March”
Clarke
“Trumpet Voluntary”
S.Bach
“Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring”
“Air For The G String”
“Prelude No. 1 from Well-Tempered Clavier”
(a.k.a. “Ave Maria”)
F. Handel
“Hornpipe”
Fernando Sor
“Variations On A Theme From Mozart”
“Estudio No. 2 “
Matteo Carcassi
“Etude No. 3”
VOCAL SELECTIONS
Irving Berlin
“Always”
“Blue Skies”
Disney’s Lady And The Tramp
“Bella Notte”
James Taylor
“Carolina In My Mind”
“You’ve Got A Friend”
“Something In The Way She Moves”
“The Secret O’ Life”
“You Can Close Your Eyes”
Fats Waller
“Louisiana Fairytale”
George & Ira Gershwin
“Love Is Here To Stay”
Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields
“I’m In The Mood For Love”
Isham Jones/Gus Kahn
“It Had To Be You”
Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart
“My Romance”
Percy Wenrich
“On Moonlight Bay”
Alan Brandt/Bob Haymes
“That’s All”
Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington
“The Nearness Of You”
Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields
“The Way You Look Tonight”
Johnny Mercer/Richard Whiting
“Too Marvelous For Words”
Anne Murray
“Could I Have This Dance”
Harry Warren/Mack Gordon
“There Will Never Be Another You”
Vincent Youmans
“More Than You Know “
Guy Wood /Robert Mellin
“My One And Only Love”
Ray Noble
“The Very Thought Of You”
