Born in Arkansas and raised in Poteau, OK, country singer Billy Hoffman was diagnosed with a severe hearing disability at the age of three that doctors feared would keep him from ever learning to speak. Fortunately, the dire prognosis never came to pass although he endured a succession of operations from before he entered pre-school until high school. In high school, Hoffman nurtured his love of roots rock and country, beginning to play out. Following college and a stint in the Army, he returned home to work for the family construction business. His father, though, encouraged him to give a music career a shot and Hoffman soon landed his demos in the hands of legendary country music figure Joe Stampley. Stampley not only produced Hoffman's self-titled debut, but the pair collaborated on several tracks. Although not a major success, Hoffman received good notices for the effort and attracted attention with his cover of Paul Davis' "I Go Crazy" and earned airplay for the video accompanying "Bar Room Athlete." ~ Tom Demalon, Rovi
