About Will
I grew up in a musical household in Southwest Iowa, singing in the church choir and performing in the school band. I bought my first guitar at the age of 15 and went on to lead a Midwestern rock band for 10 years, performing more than 200 concerts across the USA and releasing several albums.
Inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie and other folk legends, I spent the Summer of 2010 rambling across the United States as a traveling minstrel. During the course of these music inspired travels I performed at music festivals, concert halls, coffee shops, and folks' homes all over the country, discovering new ways to share my talents.
I spent most of 2011 working as a counselor and teacher at a therapeutic wilderness camp for troubled youth in Vermont. In my time there, I utilized my gift of music in numerous ways and was often amazed at the powerful effect it had on my clients. The experience gave me a new understanding of the power of music and how I can share that source of strength with others.
I spent the next four years in Western North Carolina, where I expanded the focus of my musical efforts to include music ministry at a local church and performing at nursing at retirement homes in the area. I also completed two 2,000 mile hikes during this period.
Now based in Portland, I'm excited to share songs of comfort and joy to everyone I can.
Note: The picture above was taken with Thelma Bray, the curator of the Woody Guthrie Museum in Pampa, TX. I had the honor of meeting her in 2010 when she spent over an hour (on her day off) introducing me to ways in which he shared his gift of music with others. Her generosity and passion for keeping the spirit of Woody Guthrie's music alive for future generations broadened my understanding of how a musician can serve others and affect positive change in the world.
Inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie and other folk legends, I spent the Summer of 2010 rambling across the United States as a traveling minstrel. During the course of these music inspired travels I performed at music festivals, concert halls, coffee shops, and folks' homes all over the country, discovering new ways to share my talents.
I spent most of 2011 working as a counselor and teacher at a therapeutic wilderness camp for troubled youth in Vermont. In my time there, I utilized my gift of music in numerous ways and was often amazed at the powerful effect it had on my clients. The experience gave me a new understanding of the power of music and how I can share that source of strength with others.
I spent the next four years in Western North Carolina, where I expanded the focus of my musical efforts to include music ministry at a local church and performing at nursing at retirement homes in the area. I also completed two 2,000 mile hikes during this period.
Now based in Portland, I'm excited to share songs of comfort and joy to everyone I can.
Note: The picture above was taken with Thelma Bray, the curator of the Woody Guthrie Museum in Pampa, TX. I had the honor of meeting her in 2010 when she spent over an hour (on her day off) introducing me to ways in which he shared his gift of music with others. Her generosity and passion for keeping the spirit of Woody Guthrie's music alive for future generations broadened my understanding of how a musician can serve others and affect positive change in the world.