His first recording, “A Lover’s Prayer,” was written by the renowned songwriter Van McCoy. Mr. Stone served in the US Army for two years; eighteen months was spent in the USO Special Service Unit entertaining troops. After serving, Mr. Stone continued his entertainment career working the Borsht Belt in the Catskill with The Herb Zane Orchestra’s Steven Scott Orchestra and The Epstein Brothers Orchestra. Bill signed an exclusive recording contract with Solar Records, where he recorded at Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee; there, he worked in the company of iconic greats such as songwriter Sir Mack Rice, Rufus Thomas, The Bar-Kays, and Isaac Hayes, to name a few. Mr. Stone was most anxious to broaden his career. He began taking scene study by acting coach Michael Beckett at the Herbert Bergoff School for the Performing Arts in New York City. He studied movement under the tutelage of noted dance choreographer Talley Beatty.

Mr. Stone had been experimenting with playwriting for some time. In 1978, he wrote the musical “THE PRODIGAL,” in which he played the lead role of Coopy Joe. Bill seems at Home as he performs Great Renditions of the Great Songwriters.” He was cast as principal song and dance man in a tribute to ROGERS & HART, GITLOW in PURLIE VICTORIOUS, and LEADING PLAYER in PIPIN. In 1981, he founded The Urban Stage Theatre Company. In its second year, he produced and directed the “Urban Stage Telethon fundraiser,” starring Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, with help from friends such as Muhammad Ali, Gregory Hines, and Jean Dushan. The endeavor was a success. In 1994, Mr. Stone played Ned in the Mystery who done it “A SILENT SCREAM,” which he wrote and directed. In 1995, he starred in his one-man show “JACKLEG,” where he was the librettist. In 1995, Bill was introduced to Roy A. Somlyo, the producing manager of the Tony Awards, by his friend, press agent Max Isen. Bill soon began working in Somlyo’s office and was involved in various aspects of the Tony Awards broadcasts. He also attended Isabelle Stevison’s “Working in the Theater” summer lecture series at CUNY in New York City, of which Bill was a part.                

In the summer of 1996, Bill produced and directed the Urban Stage Theatre Company’s fundraiser “TAP-IN-TO-US,” STARRING Savion Glover, Ossie Davis, Deborah Mitchell Honi Coles, and many other theater luminaries. In 1996, ABC shot a pilot of Bill’s earlier work, “THE PRODIGAL,” to develop as a made-for-TV movie. In 2006, Bill produced Welcome Home Marian Anderson at the University of Maryland’s eastern shore. 2007, Mr. Stone starred, directed, and produced “Sing It Again Sam. The life and legacy of singer-songwriter Sam Cooke at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland. In 2008, Bill continued performing his cabaret act in Ocean City, Maryland, and Bally/Dover Casino Resort.
After moving back to the greater New York area, Mr. Stone’s cabaret show had a long run at Hotel Le Meriden NYC. Fate would have it. Bill was invited to perform at Lincoln Center NYC for three incredible years. 2019 Bill teamed up with award-winning film producer Jeff wolk on the documentary about the life of legendary theater manager and Broadway producer Leonard Soloway titled “Leonard Soloway’s Broadway. After many in the entertainment theater industry and friends urged Bill to revive his musical The Prodigal, he finally decided to try it. Mr. Stone finished rewriting the dialogue and wrote two new music and dance numbers for the piece. As of now, he plans on directing the show. Come to think of it, my head can only wear one hat nowadays, says Bill. There is much more to read about Bill Stone, but who has that much corn for popping?