One of two musicians associated with Louis Armstrong who were actually "Hicks," if in name only, Billy Hicks was a trumpeter who had a pretty happening combo of his own during the '30s, Billy Hicks His Sizzlin' Six. In interviews, the magnificent jazz and studio drummer Panama Francis often recalled getting his chance to join this group as it represented his first chance to play a big show at a venue such as the Apollo. The other Hicks on the Armstrong bandstand was trombonist Henry Hicks, and though the two were unrelated they were both members of the expanded Armstrong lineup in the '30s known as the Louis Armstrong His Orchestra. This group actually developed out of a large ensemble sometimes known as Carroll Dickerson's Savoyagers. It was initially led by Carroll Dickerson, who wisely got out of the way and let Armstrong take over the direction of the musicians, "Hicks," hotshots, and greenhorns alike.

Trumpeter Hicks kept his own group active for about a decade. He also worked with classic jazz players such as Billy Kyle, Edmond Hall, and Chick Webb. One important music listener who must have enjoyed his work was the maverick American composer Charles Ives; notes to his Symphony Number One apparently include references for the cornet part to sound like Billy Hicks, including a notation about attempting to hire him for the premiere performances. As a whole, the American music scene must have failed this trumpeter, as he chose to relocate to Puerto Rico in the '70s. He was involved with tours and recordings involving Harry James His Orchestra during that era. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi