So We Hired A Rockstar…

by Susan

We’ve been working our children’s 67 year old grandmother harder than any labor law would ever allow.

As you may know, Janice, our mom and I own two e-commerce stores. We have a couple part time employees, but since Janice and I spend so much time working with 5 Minutes for Mom and wrangling our munchkins, our mother is basically left running the stores solo.

Over the last year, as our dear mother worked day and night, Janice and I insisted we need to hire another full-time employee to help her. But she argued that we’d never find the right person. And since we’re all so busy, months went by without us looking for a new worker.

Until one day, I finally decided to put an ad up locally on Craigslist and pray! We needed someone who was a creative (and FAST) writer, knew HTML, had worked on e-commerce store before, was a smooth talker who could provide outstanding phone customer service, and had a variety of social media experience. Basically, we wanted it all in one local person, and we never thought we’d find it.

But…

Timing + Craigslist + Prayer = Rockstar Employee

When the resumes started arriving, one caught my eye and I picked up the phone immediately.

After a few minutes chatting over the phone, I was pretty sure we’d found a superstar, but I didn’t realize that we’d actually found a ROCKSTAR!

It’s been just over a week now and as we’ve gotten to know our fabulous new helper, we have realized what an extraordinary gem we pulled out of Craigslist.

Billy The KidAllow me to introduce the unbelievably versatile and multi-skilled Billy The Kid.

The fact that Billy has landed in our little home office is so fantastic for us… but it does come because of a little interruption in her rock stardom.

As the music industry makes it tougher and tougher for indie artists to feed themselves, even one “one of Canada’s rising stars” (See Magazine) with her latest album produced by Raine Maida (from Our Lady Peace) is having to supplement her income.

Fortunately for us, in addition to rocking-out over the last few years, Billy (who has a degree in writing) has acquired an amazing variety of skills and experience. This “DIY poster girl” (Vue Weekly) created and ran Lost Records an independent record company, where she did everything from setting up an e-commerce store to building and managing a team of staff to promote other indie rock bands throughout the US and Canada.

Through social media, Billy helped artists like herself spread their sound without spending their dollars.

It was even through the social media giant MySpace that Raine Maida discovered Billy and offered to produce her album.

But as successful as Lost Records became, Billy still decided the income was too unpredictable and that it may be time to move on.

The last several months Billy worked on her album and toured with Raine and his wife Chantal Kreviazuk.

Billy The Kid and Randy CookeDuring the tour she and Raine’s drummer Randy Cooke fell deeply in love and they would be living happily ever after, except for that pesky Canadian citizenship issue.

Can you believe her luck? She had to fall for a drummer living in the US, who happens to ALSO be a Canadian. (Have I mentioned before what a hassle being Canadian can be?)

Anyway, we’re working on solving that whole Visa issue and soon I’m confident she’ll be living happily ever after with her rockstar boyfriend… and hey, maybe some rockstar babies.

But for now she’s all ours and we ADORE HER!!!

Well, okay… you can enjoy her talents too…

Check out her MySpace page (where Raine discovered her) and get some of her songs from iTunes or order her new CD from her online store. (It’s just 5 bucks). Her latest album is EXACTLY my style… I love it!

She used to front a punk rock band called Billy and the Lost Boys, but now she’s gone solo and her sound is just right for me.

So turn up your speakers and listen to our new favorite rockstar Billy The Kid!

If you’d like to win a copy of Billy The Kid’s latest CD, visit her myspace page and listen to the two songs she features there: “These City Lights” and “Just Trying to Get By”. Then come back here and leave us a comment telling us which of the two songs you like best.

(Also, it would be so great if you could share some link love with her. If you could link back to this post and/or her Billy The Kid Myspace page, that would be so nice!!!)

We’ll draw 3 random winners on Saturday, November 8th. Each winner will receive the just-released CD The Lost Cause.

(This giveaway is open to US and Canadian shipping addresses.)



Email Author    |    Website About Susan

Susan is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. Along with her twin sister Janice and their mother Joan, Susan also owns two online toy stores where they love to help other moms find the perfect gift like a Pedal Car or a Rocking Horse for their children to treasure forever. Susan has two sweet little girls and is constantly in awe of her luck in life.

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{ 101 comments }

1 Rebecca October 17, 2008 at 10:29 am

Wow, she is very talented! I especially liked the song, “These City Lights”…her music is right up my alley!

2 Angela at mommy bytes October 17, 2008 at 11:07 am

These City Lights is wonderful, thanks for sharing this new artist with us!

3 Go Amie October 17, 2008 at 12:22 pm

I liked “These City Lights” better, but both are fabulous!

4 Rachel October 17, 2008 at 2:00 pm

She is _gorgeous_!!!!
I like These City Lights.
Congrats on your new hire!

5 susieshomemade October 17, 2008 at 5:19 pm

Wow!! Some people have it all: Talent up the wazoo and a great job at 5 Minutes for Mom:-)

6 Christine October 17, 2008 at 6:02 pm

Who doesn’t love Billy? You are right, you have landed a gem. As for her music, all her songs are great.

7 Ray October 17, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Wow what nice things to say about my beautiful daughter….A PROUD DAD!!!

8 Sue October 18, 2008 at 1:37 am

I ordered the CD! I loved the music on MySpace. Makes me realize how many really cool musicians we miss out on with the “biz” running things. :( If I do win another CD, I think I’ll give it as a gift!

9 Marilyn October 18, 2008 at 8:10 am

These City Lights is my choice.

10 Nora SP October 18, 2008 at 8:41 am

Much talent. I loved these City Lights.

11 Sandy October 18, 2008 at 9:10 am

these city lights- amazing

12 Ann Fantom October 18, 2008 at 10:13 am

I like These City Lights

13 Karen Gonyea October 18, 2008 at 10:34 am

City Lights :)

14 Tom Showers October 18, 2008 at 11:05 am

Awesome!

15 Linda October 18, 2008 at 11:58 am

These City Lights-I am a subscriber.

16 Alexandra Hancock October 18, 2008 at 12:53 pm

These City Lights was rocking! I’m so glad you guys introduced her. I would never have found out about her. :)

17 Baba October 18, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Just trying to get by sounds great. Billy will go far. Great inspiration!

18 Valerie Mitchell October 18, 2008 at 1:42 pm

What a wonderful prize!

19 Elaine R October 18, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Such Talent! I like These City’s Lights.

20 crystal adkins October 18, 2008 at 2:23 pm

My choice is These City Lights, it makes this small town girl dream :)

21 Adrienne Gordon October 18, 2008 at 3:54 pm

what a crazy story

22 Barb P October 18, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Wow! You couldn’t have paid someone to write a more AWESOME review for Billy. Wait till everyone else hears the rest of her EP/CD …personal fav’s are “I Don’t Want To Know” and “City Lights” of course. Guess who?

23 susan varney October 18, 2008 at 6:01 pm

just trying to get by

24 keith james October 18, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Just Trying to Get By, perhaps i just relate

25 christopher h October 18, 2008 at 9:37 pm

these city lights

26 Damart (from my space) October 19, 2008 at 12:52 am

She is just a magnificent talented ARTIST great refreshing voice! – very complete and has a simbolic cause for the Lost. She really deserves a BOSS like Susan from “5 minutes for mom”,the love of Randy and tons of Fans that Support her Music~ City lights is a great song!
Dama*
:)

27 David Bertolo October 19, 2008 at 1:29 am

Just Trying to Get By

28 Carol Lawrence October 19, 2008 at 3:42 am

These City Lights

29 judy brittle October 19, 2008 at 6:06 am

These City Lights I really enjoyed. Thank you!

30 david basile October 19, 2008 at 9:34 am

These City Lights

31 amandasue October 19, 2008 at 9:51 am

I liked Just trying to get by (and the title sounds like my life story lol)

32 dawn October 19, 2008 at 10:12 am

very talented young lady.

33 Michele October 19, 2008 at 10:54 am

Fabulous! I really liked “Just trying to get by”.

34 Tonya Froemel October 19, 2008 at 12:11 pm

love to win this

35 Terri D October 19, 2008 at 1:38 pm

These City Lights

36 The Gang's All Here! October 19, 2008 at 2:50 pm

I’d love to win some new music – this sounds up my alley!

37 SJ October 19, 2008 at 3:07 pm

I loved both songs, but These City’s Lights was my #1 pick. Great stuff, such a talented musician!

38 veronica sandberg October 19, 2008 at 3:16 pm

City Lights

39 Thomas Gibson October 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm

These City Lights

40 Bonnie October 19, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Such a talented writer and singer. She’s going to go far and become a BIG STAR!

41 kristi blackstone October 19, 2008 at 5:00 pm

These City Lights def!

42 Leona P October 19, 2008 at 5:19 pm

these city lights

43 ELLIE October 19, 2008 at 8:58 pm

These city lights is grand – I love it! i am an instant fan – CONGRATS on finding your rockstar!
WELCOME BILLY!!!

44 Sylvia October 19, 2008 at 9:40 pm

These City Lights for me

45 Corrie C October 19, 2008 at 10:31 pm

hi, i have never heard of them. But would still love to win.

46 Christina October 20, 2008 at 2:47 am

I like These City Lights best.

47 Barbara October 20, 2008 at 6:31 am

I like “These City Lights” best

48 Meg Munson October 20, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Love “These City Lights.” Great choice for a new hire:)

49 lisalou October 20, 2008 at 5:34 pm

these city lights
funny how providence finds us, and meets our needs when we’re open to “outside the box” fits.

50 Joanne October 20, 2008 at 10:56 pm

“Just Trying to Get By” is my fav! Rock on!

51 Karen October 20, 2008 at 11:05 pm

WOW! WOW! WOW! What more can be said! WOW!

52 Jennifer Stewart October 21, 2008 at 1:28 am

I like “These City Lights” Great giveaway!

53 Lenora Garrett October 21, 2008 at 2:13 am

“These City Lights” is incredible.

54 Katie October 21, 2008 at 4:19 pm

I like Billy! I added her to my friends list on MySpace. I liked both songs but, my favorite was Just Trying to Get By. thanks! Would love to win the cd.

55 charline s October 21, 2008 at 9:01 pm

I like These City Lights

56 Darla October 21, 2008 at 10:54 pm

Not only is she SUPER talented she is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet! such a pleasure to be around <3 I know she’ll be a Rockstar! =D

57 Karen October 22, 2008 at 10:11 am

I love both of these songs. I will buy the CD. A great writer!

58 Sarah October 22, 2008 at 12:42 pm

these city lights

59 Linda Moeller October 22, 2008 at 7:37 pm

Just Trying To Get By

60 jesse October 22, 2008 at 8:19 pm

i like just trying to get by, because she wrote it while i was looking for a job ;)

61 Kari Follett October 23, 2008 at 5:27 am

These City Lights!

62 charles cunningham October 23, 2008 at 5:19 pm

these city lights does it for me

63 Sue Farrell October 24, 2008 at 3:30 pm

I like These City Lights best

64 sito October 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Love it! These City Lights is maybe the one I like better.

65 Milo October 25, 2008 at 3:56 pm

I seem to be in the minority, but I like “Just Trying to Get By” better.

66 tiffany pettey October 31, 2008 at 2:07 am

city lights =)

67 ky2here November 2, 2008 at 7:56 am

Let’s go with These city lights.

68 Tina Rath November 2, 2008 at 11:39 pm

These City Lights is my fave!

69 Steve Scott November 4, 2008 at 2:29 pm

These City Lights

70 Jennifer hedden November 5, 2008 at 3:03 pm

These City Lights

71 R Hicks November 5, 2008 at 6:39 pm

luv those city lights!

72 Patricia November 5, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Have anyone heard “Drown”. I bought her CD from ITunes and it is great.

73 claudette flanigan November 5, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Love, love, LOVE “These City Lights”

74 Kathy Amos November 5, 2008 at 7:49 pm

I love these City Lights

75 delores November 6, 2008 at 1:04 am

city lights!

76 romero November 6, 2008 at 1:06 am

city lights

77 Erma Hurtt November 6, 2008 at 8:39 am

I like just Trying to Get By.

78 Vicki Wurgler November 6, 2008 at 11:35 am

I picked These City Lights

79 Susan Ledet November 6, 2008 at 3:17 pm

City Lights for me too. She has a beautiful voice and know that her talent will take her far.

80 Ed Nemmers November 6, 2008 at 6:18 pm

“These City Lights” and “Just Trying to Get By”

81 Joyce Jacobs November 6, 2008 at 6:34 pm

Just Trying to Get By was the one I liked best.

82 Elizabeth M. November 6, 2008 at 7:29 pm

I liked them both but I think I like Just Trying to Get By the most.

83 Robert R November 6, 2008 at 11:53 pm

I like These City Lights

84 Chrysa November 7, 2008 at 2:04 am

I like These City Lights best.

85 Lara Aleff November 7, 2008 at 2:38 am

I liked These City Lights!

86 Ruthann Rhodes November 7, 2008 at 7:56 am

Beautiful voice but preferred Just Trying to Get By. Thanks

87 John Deal November 7, 2008 at 11:57 am

I like These City Lights.

88 kathy pease November 7, 2008 at 12:01 pm

i like Just Trying to Get By

89 Melissa B. November 7, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Just Trying To Get By.

90 Veronica Garrett November 7, 2008 at 12:21 pm

I like These City Lights.

91 Kathy November 7, 2008 at 1:17 pm

“These City Lights” is my favorite.

92 sarah b November 7, 2008 at 6:56 pm

i like These City Lights

93 Timothy Sternberg November 7, 2008 at 7:46 pm

I especially liked the song, “These City Lights”.

94 Christina E November 7, 2008 at 8:53 pm

These City lights

95 Lily Kwan November 7, 2008 at 10:36 pm

I love These City Lights!

96 Carol Drury November 8, 2008 at 12:38 am

These City Lights!!

97 Brenda S. November 8, 2008 at 1:35 am

I liked “These City Lights” better, but both are fabulous! Thanks!!!

98 Timothy Sternberg November 8, 2008 at 3:19 am

Wow, she is very talented!

99 Peggy Gorman November 8, 2008 at 10:00 am

These City Lights,great songs and you have a wonderful voice Billy, May you find the path that leads you to Rock Stardom,you have the talent!

100 paul November 8, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Wow….sorry I didn’t know about the CD giveaway earlier…I would have entered. I have purchased the CD from ITunes today as a result of hearing about her on your site.

101 amy November 8, 2008 at 3:24 pm

love to enter…pick me pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

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