Billy Crawford: Ground Zero and counting

MANILA, Philippines – The road to hell is paved with the good intentions of former child stars. For every Ate Vi, who began her film career at age three, and then most gracefully and graciously transitioned from Star for all Seasons to Governor of Batangas, there are dozens of child prodigies thrown by the wayside, who have been unable to reconcile the surreal glare of early stardom with the nitty-gritty reality of adulthood. Billy Crawford is not one of those casualties of early stardom.

Billy Crawford (his first recording company in America made him drop the ‘Joe’) first came to Philippine consciousness in 1985 on German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment, after being discovered in a bowling alley. He himself concedes, “To many people, I’ll always be that kid with the apple-cut hair.” When he was eleven, his family decided to move back to his dad’s home state of Texas, where Billy enjoyed a normal childhood, chores and all. But the spotlight beckoned again. He moved to New York and attended a performing school. In 1996, at the age of 14, he was able to perform with his boyhood idol Michael Jackson in the MTV Video Music Awards. He even had a teenage romance with Mandy Moore that lasted for about a year. By age 15, he had recorded a solo album. And yet he remained under the radar in America. He chuckles, “Even some of my closest friends in New York, would ask me, ‘You sang that Pokemon song?’” Billy sang the theme song of the Pokemon movie in the late ’90s. So, off to Europe he went to try his luck there.

In 2001, his single Trackin’ hit No. 1 in the French charts, and went on to top charts in Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, and in the same year, another single, When You Think of Me. In 2002, his second album, “Ride,” also went gold in France. In 2005, his album “Big City” was released, and Billy did a Big City tour. By 2007, Billy’s stardom in Europe started to make news back here in the Philippines and he was offered to return to be part of the reality show MOVE on GMA to pick the back-up dancers for his concert at Araneta Coliseum. After the concert, Billy went back to the States, but returned when he got the offer to host Pinoy Dream Academy on ABS-CBN. He is currently part of ASAP and just released the album “Groove,” a reworking of favorite ’70s and ’80s hits.

When you interview celebrities, there are two unwritten, unspoken expectations. First, they will be late. Second, they will have an entourage. Billy Crawford was punctual, plus warm, accommodating and gracious; in short, the perfect gentleman. And only his road manager came with him.

PHILIPPINE STAR: You’ve certainly had your share of comings and goings, starts and stops and starts again. Let’s make a quick rundown of all your different “ground zeros.”

Billy Crawford: Well, that’s why I love being part of this campaign, because I can really tell people and show people, that in life, starting (again and again) is possible. For me, starting from zero is a kind of spring cleaning. Really, anything is possible.

Well, my first start, as a kid, was the easiest. Really, it wasn’t work, it was just playing. But still, when we moved to Texas, when I was about 12, it was a relief. I liked having my own space. I got to play! And at least I got into the habit of doing chores. My dad was big on music, so I got to listen to it all—Otis Redding, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye. So even if both my parents don’t sing, they both can dance.

At 13, I moved to New York. That was great. The biggest change was moving to France. The language barrier alone. And let’s face it, they’re a bit snobby. Like sometimes, they’ll pretend they don’t know where the Philippines is but I can tell that they know. But still, I’m the kind of person, put me in the middle of anywhere, Italy, France, Germany, I will be able to find that one person that I will get along with, who can help me out, whether or not I can speak (their language). . .

But you are fluent in French?

Yes, yes, I can speak. But I’m not good at writing.

What was a bigger cultural adjustment, moving to Europe or moving back here?

Here! It was so funny to go around, and have people still call me “Billy Joe! Billy Joe!” And the way people want to do everything for you. I’ve never thought of myself as a star, and I have friends who keep me grounded and humble. So at home, I do all the chores, with a little help from my driver.

So why did you move back to the Philippines?’

I am more in love with the Philippines now. When I was younger, I guess I really didn’t understand. We are such a spirited people. We are used to struggling, so we know how to handle things. But I’ve met so many interesting people here. And I’m really interested in people. Why shouldn’t I be here? It’s home. I can always still pursue my international career and be based here. And it’s my first time to really get to explore Asia. Last year, I was able to go to Bangkok and Singapore for the first time. I’m ready for excitement.

Let’s play a little game of word association of your biggest hits. What are you “Trackin’” now?

My career. It’s all about my career now.

“And When You Think About Me ...“

Think of Coke Zero!

“You Didn’t Expect That...”

That I would move back to the Philippines!

Why do you think you are so adaptable, that you are able to handle change so well?

Hmm... (thinks for a few seconds) I think I learned it from my dad. If you first see him, he looks just like a teddy bear, but he’s a Korean war veteran, who’s got a lot of tattoos! He’s also had to move around a lot in his life, so I saw from him (how to adjust). He speaks French, German, Spanish, so I think I got that (gift for languages) too. I’m just a very open person.

Speaking of tattoos, you have some, too? Can you talk about them?

Well, when I got my first one, a gecko on my arm, my mom didn’t speak to me for a month! Even if my dad has them! But when she saw some of the newer ones, she said, “Ah maganda naman pala kung may kulay!” (Oh, it looks much better if it’s colored!) I have a Japanese symbol, a cowboy, an angel. I got inspired to get tattoos when I learned more about Polynesian culture from some time I spent in Maui. But I don’t have piercings. I’m just a little bit too scared of my dad to do that.

So what are your thoughts on style?

Well, I certainly wouldn’t wear (this, referring to a black blazer and red tie he’s got on during the interview) if I’m out in Rockwell malling. But when it comes to style, I’m all about sneakers. I think I must have about 600 in my collection. Some are here, but some I keep in my parents’ house in the States,

Would you say you are the Imelda Marcos of sneakers?

I wouldn’t go that far!

* * *

When the interview officially ends, I observe how Billy interacts with the people who ask him to pose with photos, both corporate hotshots and even media people who turn out to be unabashed fans. I overhear people say, “He’s so nice!” and I can see the look of surprise in their eyes. They are moved by something that has become so uncommon these days: common courtesy.

Years of meeting famous people can make you jaded, but once in a while, someone comes along who can still shock you. Just by being kind.