In his prophetic career, Billy Mize earned 11 Academy of Country Music Award nominations, and 5 wins, including Most Promising Male Vocalist. His song Who Will Buy the Wine is considered to be one of the top 50 country western songs of ALL TIME. His body of work has been covered by a diverse group of artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Ray Price, Waylon Jennings, Barbara Mandrel, and others. But Billy wonʼt be remembered for golden statuettes or billboard charts, his legacy will be an unwavering dedication to family.

This dedication emerged from a tragic beginning to Billyʼs story. When he was 3-years- old, his father, Earnest Forth, skipped town leaving Billy and his mother to suffer the dust bowl depression in Kansas. Billyʼs mother re-married Ray Mize and the family headed west to California in search of jobs. The abandonment by his birth would instill in Billy a keen understanding of what a father and husband should be. In the face of lifeʼs challenges his response is always, ʻfamily firstʼ.

It was clear from an early age Billy was a gifted musician. His father bought him a steel guitar at an auction and Billy quickly taught himself how to play. It didn’t take long for Billy to become a main stay performer in the club scene in Bakersfield, despite being too young for admittance in what is commonly regarded as a rough and tough bar scene. Word of Billy’s talent traveled fast and shortly after getting married, Billy went on tour with his idol, Tommy Duncan. During this brief tour through Texas, his wife miscarried their first child. Billy never went on tour again, much to the chagrin of his record labels. In the 50s, touring was THE method to promote record sales. But times were changing. A new technology was sweeping the nation: television. His natural good looks and charm made him the perfect host for country music variety shows. The growing popularity of TV, coupled with his desire to stay rooted near his family made a career in television a perfect fit. He began an unprecedented television career that would earn him a three-year sweep of Best Television Personality in the 60s, logging more than 7,000 hours on the tube. He was a principle cast member on such iconic country western shows as Cousin Herb’s Trading Post, Chuck Wagon Gang, Town Hall Party, Melody Ranch and The Billy Mize Show. He had the best of both worlds, and was continuing to write and record hit songs.

Since Billy was already established on the scene, many young musicians came to him looking for advice, opportunity and in some cases, a guitar. A scrawny Buck Owens approached Billy one evening after arriving to Bakersfield. Buck had lost everything he had, and needed a guitar to audition for job that evening. Without knowing him, Billy Mize gave Buck his own guitar – and Buck never forgot the favor. Buck Owens went on to be become the face of the Bakersfield Sound always praising Billy for his kindness. Country legend Mae Axton said of Mize, “he is the compassionate kind of person who reinforces the confidence of friends, allays their fears and truly cares about them and their problems.” Another young musician came to Billy asking for a job, his name was Merle Haggard. Billy recognized his talent immediately and was the first person to give Merle a shot on stage. Merle and Billy remained close friends until their final days.

In the prime of his career, just after being nominated for Single Record of the Year (his competition included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Glen Campbell), Billy and his wife Martha befell a series of family tragedies. In the words of his brother Buddy, “something like that happens and it either pulls a family closer together or tears it apart.”

Mize turned to his music for solace and went on to write some of his most popular songs including, Don’t Let the Blues Make You Bad and Make it Rain. Catapulted by the success of his new albums, Billy was set to revive his career, but fate, it seems, wasn’t done with Billy Mize. At the age of 59, Mize suffered a stroke and lost his ability to speak and play guitar.

Billy went a full year without speaking a word. During this time there was no shortage of support from friends and family. It seemed every month someone was throwing a celebration for Billy, gathering others from across the country. Bakersfieldʼs mayor even declared April 29th Billy Mize Day in Kern County. The support was overwhelming, and Billy went to all of them wishing he could say ʻthank youʼ.

Billy passed away on October 29th 2017 at 88 years old. His life achievements and accolades were captured in a critically acclaimed and award winning documentary, Billy Mize and the Bakersfield Sound. The documentary surrounds Mize’s 80th birthday party, his impact on the Bakersfield Sound and his struggle to sing again after his stroke.

This site is dedicated to Billy Mize’s music, TV shows and his impact on the country music scene of the 50s and 60s. Please help us spread the word by sharing this page, his music and his story. Stay tuned as we update this site with more history, more videos and most importantly, more music!