Billy May's Kiss Nation As The Starchild's His Journey & Beyond EP : 006

🎸 Alright Rock ’n’ Rollers — buckle up! This episode of Tribute Band Sessions dives into the electrifying world of Kiss Nation with Billy May, the powerhouse frontman who doesn’t just play Paul Stanley — he becomes the Starchild. Billy shares his journey from lifelong KISS superfan to stepping into those platform boots and living the dream on stage. From his early days as a confident performer (but shy offstage) to fronting one of the most respected KISS tributes in the world, he reveals what it takes to make a tribute truly credible. Spoiler: it’s not about makeup or pyrotechnics — it’s about pure musicianship. As Billy says, “If you’re not a good musician, just go trick-or-treating!” We explore how Kiss Nation honors KISS’s legacy — capturing the power, spirit, and theatricality of the originals while keeping every show authentic and musically tight. Billy also gives a sneak peek into his new project, One Live Kiss, a Paul Stanley solo tribute, and talks about performing at the legendary KISS Cruise Landlocked event. He opens up about the physical grind of maintaining his voice, the realities of tribute-band economics, and how to connect with fans beyond imitation. It’s equal parts inspiration, education, and pure rock ’n’ roll energy. This isn’t just an interview — it’s a masterclass in becoming your musical hero. 🎸 Listen & Follow Tribute Band Sessions: 🌐 Website 🎧 Spotify 🍎 Apple Podcasts 📘 Facebook 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X (Twitter) 💬 Threads Find Billy May Here : 🌐 kissnation.com From Fan to Starchild: Billy May’s Origin Story (0:00) Growing up steeped in KISS lore, collecting bootlegs, and finding early comfort on stage — setting the foundation for his future as the Starchild. Becoming Paul Stanley (4:00) Starting in original music but constantly compared to Paul Stanley. The “blessing and curse” of sounding like a rock legend — and the fateful call that led him to Kiss Nation. Musicianship Over Makeup (6:53) Billy’s philosophy: great musicianship comes first. Why nailing the sound always trumps fancy props — and how smaller, raw KISS shows inspired his approach. Crafting the Illusion (9:34) How Kiss Nation recreates the feeling of a real KISS show, not just a scaled-down copy. Prioritizing iconic elements like the logo, amps, and accurate song arrangements. Band Life, Vocals & Setlists (14:32) Managing vocal fatigue, performing with seasoned pros, and evolving the setlist. How discipline and rehearsal keep the magic alive. One Live Kiss & Tribute Economics (25:29) Billy’s solo Paul Stanley project and how tribute artists make it work financially. Staying authentic while navigating today’s social media landscape. Connecting with Fans (32:40) Creating magical “Mickey Mouse moments” for fans, from meet & greets to crowd sing-alongs. Why certain songs are untouchable KISS staples. Advice for Musicians (46:29) Develop rare skills: strong vocals, harmonies, melodic bass, and keys. Focus on finesse over volume — and learn how to elevate everyone on stage. Looking Ahead (50:55) What’s next for Kiss Nation and One Live Kiss — from casino residencies to tours in Japan and South America. 🎸 Tribute Band Sessions — where legendary music is reborn every week. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Episode Chapters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices