Billy Olsen and Tom Palmer may be more than three decades apart in age, but they are on the same page musically.

The duo's goal is to play their brand of country western music in as many venues in Washington State as they can, to build a solid base of fans.

"I figure I need to be successful in my own back yard, before trying to be a big star," Olsen said.

Olsen, 27, entered several singing contests in the last few years. He's also penned over 100 songs since turning professional.

Last year he entered the Country Idol Contest at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, where he competed with over 10,000 singers for a chance to be the opening act for Diamond Rio.

Those competing came from Canada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Olsen finished as one of the top three finalists.

He won 2003 Washington State CMT Nashville Contest and competed at the CMT Nashville Star Regional Contest in Los Angeles in December, 2003.

His efforts to succeed in the music industry were threatened earlier this year after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his mouth. The cancer was removed in April.

"Now, I am more committed than ever to using my musical gifts and talents in a positive way and appreciate each day for what it has to offer," says Olsen, who besides singing and penning songs is an accomplished guitar player and can play several other instruments.

The show can sound like a full band, with musicians - normally Olsen and a guest such as Palmer - playing instruments and singing while accompanied by a 16-track digital soundtrack prepared with tracks to accompany each song.

Olsen prepares the tracks, playing drums, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar, banjo and keyboards. His favorite artists are Alan Jackson, Darryl Worley, Toby Keith, Johnny Cash and George Strait.

The duo opted to make Olsen's career a successful business by building a fan base within Washington State.

"I am not playing the big arenas, but small venues where I can be in touch with people and my songs can truly have a musical impact," says Olsen, who is from Arlington.

Olsen hooked up with Palmer by answering an ad placed by Palmer in Seattle pop culture newspaper The Stranger. Olsen was wanting out of the band scene and was looking for someone on whom he could bestow his knowledge of the music industry.

Palmer, 61, said at first he dismissed Olsen as a young country singer.

"Some country singers think they can sing, but they can't," said Palmer.

Palmer decided to meet Olsen, figuring someone who had won a state singing contest must be able to sing.

They found they shared similar ideas concerning careers in music and their music tastes and skills overlapped in many areas. Olson is an accomplished guitar player.

"We are friends as well as co-workers and so far the relationship has been great for both of us," said Palmer.

Palmer, whose specialty is the pedal steel guitar, agreed about first building a strong base in the state. Palmer also serves as Olsen's manager.

"There is a lot to be learned by starting small and building a solid foundation," said Palmer, who spent 13 years in the recording industry.

"If you can't get people in your own backyard excited about what you are doing musically, making a recording in Nashville probably won't make you a star," Palmer said. "We have a plan that is not dependent on any record company and we are now pursuing that plan - to play our music across the state of Washington.

"Billy Olsen is a truly gifted artist who has the passion and work ethic to make a living doing what he loves to do," says Palmer. "He has worked for nearly fifteen years perfecting his craft and continues to hone his writing, vocal skills, and musicianship on a daily basis.

"What I love about Billy's songs is they are truly unique and don't sound like some other artist you have heard before," stated Palmer. "No two of Billy's songs sound similar."

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