Bill Nash doesn’t know the meaning of “slow down.”

As the Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter prepares to complete his 80th trip around the sun, Nash – who has lived in Richmond for the past 13 years and who is active in several Katy community chambers of commerce – has a number of projects in progress.

Together with his wife Kim, and son Jimmy, Nash will host the Texas Best Music Fest concert on June 23rd at Mo’s Place. Founded in 2013, the event raises money for the cause dearest to Nash’s heart – Champions Kids Camp, which helps to nurture children who have survived a traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss, such as the loss of a parent or sibling. This year’s line-up is headlined by “Voice” winner Sundance Head and also includes performances by Bill and Kim, as well as by Jimmy Nash. Doors open for the event at 21940 Kingsland in Katy at 2 p.m. with the music starting at 3 p.m. Parking is free. Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased at texasbmf.com. The event will also celebrate Bill’s 80th birthday and 70th year in the music business.

The Nashes have a very personal interest in Champions Kids Camp – which was born out of the family’s own traumatic experience. Their older son, Billy, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2 at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Even knowing that “you can’t bargain with God,” Bill Nash said that he prayed for three days without ceasing for his son’s recovery – promising, “Jesus, if you will heal my boy, I will sing for you for the rest of my life.” Bill Nash said that even doctors were surprised when the boy was found to be cancer-free shortly after his initial diagnosis.

“Only God could have orchestrated all this,” Bill Nash said.

The Nashes subsequently started Champions Kids Camp in 2001 to help nurture children who have survived an traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss. The camp at Carolina Creek Christian Camp near Huntsville ”helps kids get past what they will never get over,” said Bill Nash. The expense per camper is about $500.00 each, he said. Some of the cases they see are tragic, he said, in describing the trauma endured by a young boy who found his father’s body after the man had committed suicide. “The main objective at camp is to help instill a sense of pride in every child and let them know that they’re not victims, they’re survivors, and therefore, champions!” says the organization’s website.

But that isn’t enough to keep the couple busy.

Bill and Kim also recently completed production of a public service announcement (PSA) video to promote the arts in Fort Bend County. The video, produced by their son, Jimmy, has now been nominated for an Emmy® in the PSA category, the Nashes announced at the June 5 luncheon meeting of the Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce at Midway BBQ, 6025 Highway Blvd. in Katy. The short video, which was filmed in 2023 at the City of Sugar Land Courthouse Square, features the song “This Little Light of Mine” sung by Bill and Kim Nash and the Fort Bend Boys Choir and the Hot Shots Banjo Band with choreography by Cookie Joe’s Dancing School of Sugar Land. The video was first aired on StrykTV.com last fall and may be viewed on YouTube at

youtube.com/watch?v=G6l6WnBGTgA. The Katy Times reached out to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for additional details on the nomination but did not receive a response by press time.

“We created this video to promote youth in the arts – singing, dancing and playing musical instruments,” Kim Nash said in a November Facebook video post when the video was first completed. “We encourage you to watch it and share it – you are sharing joy that you will see on the faces of these kids as they perform.”

Bill Nash recorded “This Little Light of Mine” on one of his early albums. His career began in the 1950’s, as he performed as a gospel singer with his mother and brother, earning a spot on Gene Rayburn’s TV Show “Do Re Mi.” He was the first to record two songs written by a then-unknown janitor-songwriter in Nashville, Kris Kristofferson – “For the Good Times” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” He chronicled his life and career in the music business in his autobiography “Saint Sinner Singer” which was published in 2021.

And the prolific songwriter – whose work includes Reba McIntyre’s big hit “They Asked About You” and “In God We Still Trust recorded by Diamond Rio on their Grammy® winning album “The Reason” -- continues to create music – as evidenced by the 106 song ideas he has stored on his cell phone. He takes his mantra from his mother – “never quit” – which he said was a product of her German work ethic. “Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse,” she told him. She played music until she passed away at age 95, he said.

“God never takes back his gift or his calling,” Nash said. “I thank God for the gift that propelled me from the edge of a cotton field in San Benito.”

A native of Pharr, TX, Bill Nash has strong ties to the Houston area. He attended the University of Houston and has lived all over Houston, he said, in neighborhoods including the Heights and Pearland in addition to his current home in Richmond. He is active in the Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce in addition to the Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce.

“My whole life is to tell people that Jesus loves you just like he loves me,” said Nash. “He took me back.”