Billy Gilman was The Voice runner-up. Then he chose bluegrass

One Voice began his recording career in 2000

Gilman grew up in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, with a grandmother who encouraged his singing. Vocal coach Angela Bacari helped put him in front of audiences, and visitors from Nashville came to Rhode Island to hear him. His debut album, One Voice, arrived on Epic Records on June 20, 2000, and earned double-platinum certification in the United States. Its songs included “One Voice,” “Oklahoma” and “There’s a Hero.” He followed it with Classic Christmas and Dare to Dream. His voice changed during puberty, and he temporarily stopped singing. Everything and More followed in 2005, with a self-titled album in 2006.

Adele’s song turned four chairs in 2016

For his blind audition, broadcast on September 20, 2016, Gilman sang Adele’s “When We Were Young.” All four coaches turned, and he chose Adam Levine. Blake Shelton recognized him and said, “Now you’ve found your sound and where you belong musically.” Gilman’s season included “Man in the Mirror,” “Fight Song,” “The Show Must Go On” and “All I Ask.” He finished as runner-up on December 13, following finale performances of “My Way” and “Because of Me.” In his interview with Reality TV World that month, Gilman described wanting to continue in pop. He also explained how Levine had helped find his original finale song: around 1:30 in the morning, his coach sent an audio clip of a song Maroon 5 had passed on recording. Gilman loved it, and it became “Because of Me.”

He recorded “One Voice” again with Home Free in 2021

In 2021, Gilman joined Home Free for a new recording of “One Voice.” The collaboration brought him back to a song he had initially resisted. “I did not like the song,” Billy Gilman recalled, explaining that his debut album had been finished and another first single chosen when the song arrived at the studio. With Home Free, he felt the harmonies brought the words forward and gave the recording a new sound. He had also spent years hearing from listeners about the song’s effect on their lives. “It becomes your anthem,” he said. He described feeling honored to have that song to stand with.

Pinecastle signed him to record bluegrass in 2023

By February 2023, Gilman had signed with Pinecastle Records and recorded a bluegrass project. The first single, “Roller Coaster,” followed in March. His explanation reached back to the music his grandparents played when he was growing up. “I really wish that they were here today to hear this album,” Billy Gilman said at the single’s release. He believed they would have been proud of their influence on his music. He also described reaching a point where he allowed himself to record the music he wanted. The plan extended to further bluegrass albums and getting to know people in the field. As he told MusicRow, “This is where my heart is right now.”

Rhonda Vincent joined his bluegrass tribute in 2024

On January 19, 2024, Gilman released “That’s Bluegrass To Me” with Rhonda Vincent. He wrote it with Dan Murph and Philip Douglas as a tribute to the music and its audience across the country. He played the song for Vincent, who agreed to record it with him. “What an honor that is!” Billy Gilman said. The Rage played on the studio recording. Its references included the Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, Nashville’s Station Inn, Sunny’s Bar in New York City and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Gilman and Vincent had first performed it together during her sold-out Ryman show the previous summer.

“Til You Come Home” told of waiting for a loved one

Gilman continued working with Murph and Douglas on “Til You Come Home,” released on August 14, 2024. The song followed the person waiting at home for an absent loved one. Billy Gilman described wanting to capture “the boredom and routine of being alone in the house.” He played guitar on the recording. John Mailander supplied fiddle, Jarrod Walker mandolin, Jake Stargel guitar, Vickie Vaughn bass and Gabe Hirshfeld banjo, with harmony vocals from Martha Christian. The release announcement placed the single within a planned full-length project called Roller Coaster, which was scheduled for early 2025.

“Waylon” led to a suicide prevention partnership in 2025

“Waylon,” released on May 13, 2025, told the story of someone who held on to life for the sake of a dog. Gilman wrote it with Murph and Douglas. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention partnership developed after the recording: his producer listened again months later and suggested the song could help people who felt lonely or depressed. “So I am all in on that!” Billy Gilman said. Its release coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month, with plans for him to help the organization raise awareness and support through social media. He sang and played guitar, with Mailander, Walker, Stargel, Vaughn, Hirshfeld and Christian joining him on the track.

Delta Queen collected his bluegrass singles in 2025

The released collection arrived as Delta Queen on August 29, 2025. Pinecastle issued it as Gilman’s debut bluegrass EP, gathering his first five singles in the genre. The title song had reached No. 2 on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart. The track sequence began with “Roller Coaster,” followed by “Delta Queen,” “That’s Bluegrass To Me,” “Waylon” and “’Til You Come Home.” Gilman had co-written every track with Murph and Douglas. He spoke about his uncertainty over how the move into bluegrass would be received. He said he was happy that the songs had done well on the charts and connected with bluegrass listeners.

• Listen to “Delta Queen” on Apple Music

His 2026 schedule marked a quarter-century in music

In September 2026, Billy Gilman spoke to the South County Star about his years with audiences. “My fans have never let me down,” he said, describing them as family and thanking Bacari for her continued support. His anniversary concert, 25 Years of Hits & Showstoppers, was scheduled for November 1 at the United Theatre’s Black Box auditorium in Westerly, Rhode Island. It had been moved from September 26 because of a storm. On November 29, 2026, he is scheduled to perform an afternoon of Christmas music and hits at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls, New York.

• Billy Gilman: career and music
• Listen to Billy Gilman on Spotify
• Listen to Billy Gilman on Apple Music