Tio Bilia

Origin

Santo Ângelo, RS

Also known as

Antônio Soares de Oliveira

Years Active

1920–1991

Genres

música gaúcha, música regional

Instruments

gaita de oito baixos

Biography

Antônio Soares de Oliveira, better known as Tio Bilia, was born in Santo Ângelo on August 5, 1906. He became famous on the musical scene as the "King of the Eight-Bass" (Rei da Oito Baixos), establishing himself as a fundamental figure of gaucho culture and traditionalist music throughout his career.

Self-taught, he began his relationship with the accordion at ten years of age, developing his technique by listening to other traditional instrumentalists of the time, such as José Lemos da Fonseca and Tertuliano José de Queiroz. Since his youth, he played at dances in the gaucho countryside, although he only achieved greater notoriety and national fame starting in the 1950s.

Throughout his life and career, he recorded 111 songs, including remarkable works such as the LP Baile Gaúcho, made in partnership with Virgilio Pinheiro and his ensemble, as well as recordings alongside his son Arnóbio Bilia. Tio Bilia remained active in music until 85 years of age, passing away on August 19, 1991, and leaving a lasting legacy that dialogues with the work of other exponents of regional music such as Renato Borghetti.

Discography

• É Fogo Nos 8 Baixos (1968)
• Baile Gaúcho Vol. 4 (1978)
• Encontro de Pai e Filho com Tio Bilia e Arnóbio Bilia (1979)
• Baile Gaúcho - Vol. 5 (1980)
• Tio Bilia, Arnóbio Bilia – Encontro de Pai e Filho Vol. 2 (1981)
• Tio Bilia - Arnóbio Bilia – Encontro de Pai e Filho - Vol. 3 (1982)
• Encontro de Gerações (1983)
• Tio Bilia e Arnóbio Bilia – Encontro de Pai e Filho - Vol. 4 (1984)
• Encontro de Gerações Vol. II (1987)
• Encontro de Gerações Vol. III (1988)
• Baile Gaúcho - Vol. 3 (1991)
• Tio Bilia e Virgilio Pinheiro – Baile Gaúcho
• Baile Gaúcho