Billy Brimblecom Jr.

Location: Nashville, TN

Challenge: Leg Amputee

Website: facebook.com/StepsOfFaithFoundation

Billy Brimblecom Jr. has been playing the drums for more than 20 years. He has had the opportunity to play with many talented musicians and producers over the years and has toured all throughout the U.S. as well as Japan, Europe, and Canada playing music.

In 2005, Billy discovered he had a tumor in his leg and was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. To save his life, his left leg was amputated above the knee. Billy is now cancer free. Remarkably, with the help of a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg, his playing was not affected by the loss of a limb. His passion for music is stronger than ever. His leg has become a conversation starter that has helped him connect with others in very unique ways he never thought imaginable. Given the opportunity, he wouldn’t change a thing. He loves to meet new people and hopes to use music to inspire others to overcome obstacles and challenges.

In 1997, Billy formed the rootsy, power-pop band, The Creature Comforts with songwriter Christopher Tolle. Billy then began frequent tours of America and The Creature Comforts released 2 full length albums. The Creature Comforts reunited in June 2009 after a 7 year break to play one show in Kansas City before Billy relocated to Nashville.

In the fall of 2004, Billy teamed up with Jim Suptic of The Get Up Kids to form Blackpool Lights. He recorded Blackpool Lights' 2006 Curb Appeal Records release "This Town's Disaster". In 2005, after 13 rounds of chemotherapy and a few months of rehab, he re-joined Blackpool Lights and began touring (on the drums with a prostheic leg) in March 2006. Billy Brimblecom and the band did extensive tours of the U.S., Canada and Japan as well as support slots for Social Distortion, Anberlin, Angels and Airwaves.

Billy parted ways with Blackpool Lights in 2007. He has since been doing session work with producer/songwriter Don Chaffer (of Waterdeep). He has had write ups in Modern Drummer and Relevant Magazine as well as Kansas City's The Pitch.

Above all, Billy is a true fan of music across many genres. His friends and family rely on him as a walking encyclopedia of musical trivia and facts. If you’re in a pinch and need the answer to a radio station contest question to win concert tickets...don’t Google it. Call Billy.

In July 2009 Billy and his wife Allison relocated to Nashville to pursue more studio and road work. Billy has continued to work with Don Chaffer, recording new material with his band Waterdeep. He has also been doing session work and production with friend and bandmate (from The Khrusty Brothers and The Klangs), Greg LaFollette.

Billy Brimblecom Jr performing with Katie Herzig - "Lost and Found"