Folk Heritage Award Recipient William Billy the Kid Emerson to be Honored in Ceremony in Tarpon Springs

The Florida Folklife Program and the City of Tarpon Springs will
recognize 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award recipient, William "Billy
the Kid" Emerson, in a special ceremony hosted at the Tarpon Springs
Heritage Museum on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. This ceremony
which is free and open to the public, will recognize Mr. Emerson's
lifelong contributions as a songwriter and producer, and will include
a video presentation.
"We invite the community to take part in celebrating Mr. Emerson's
contributions and achievements," said Secretary Detzner. "His
dedication to his craft and his lasting influence contribute to the
rich musical and cultural heritage of Florida."
William Emerson was born in Tarpon Springs in 1925, where he learned
to play piano in church. Following in the footsteps of his uncle
George Hannah, Emerson began performing publicly throughout the area.
He joined the Navy in 1943, and after the war, resumed performing with
Tampa area acts including Ivory Mitchell, the Billy Battle Band, and
Alfonso Brown Band. He acquired the nickname "Billy the Kid" while
playing with a band that dressed like cowboys.
Also a talented athlete, Emerson attended Florida A&M University on an
athletic scholarship, but left to serve in the Air Force during the
Korean War. He later met Ike Turner and after being discharged, joined
Turner's Kings of Rhythm. In 1954, he signed a contract with Sam
Phillips and wrote and recorded hits for Sun Records including "When
It Rains It Really Pours" (later recorded by Elvis Presley) and "Red
Hot." In 1955, he joined Vee-Jay Records, where he released "Every
Woman I know (Crazy 'Bout Automobiles)." Shortly after, he joined
Chess Records as their recording manager. Emerson later formed Tarpon
Records, and continued to record and perform rhythm & blues both
internationally and abroad.
In 1978, Mr. Emerson rededicated himself to his faith, became a pastor
and returned to Tarpon Springs where he continues to serve his
congregation and compose sacred music. Although he no longer performs
secular music, the compilation album, Red Hot: The Sun Years, was
released in 2009, and Mr. Emerson was inducted into the Rockabilly
Hall of Fame.

The Florida Department of State presents Florida Folk Heritage Awards
annually to citizens who have made long-standing contributions to
Florida's cultural heritage by perpetuating community traditions. Like
the National Heritage Fellowships, the Florida Folk Heritage Awards
honor the state's most influential tradition bearers for excellence,
significance and authenticity as folk artists or folklife advocates.
Information on how to make a nomination is available
here and additional information regarding past recipients, including
photos and bios, is available here.
The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National
Endowment for the Arts' Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For further
information about the Florida Folklife Program, contact State
Folklorist Amanda Hardeman at 850.245.6427 or visit
flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.
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About the Florida Folklife Program
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of
State's Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents
Florida's folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a
wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the
awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida's traditional
culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and
present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk
arts programs in the nation.