Bobby Wills
We are closing in on Ontario’s first major country music festival of the summer season, Calabogie Country Music Festival. Bobby Wills will be headlining the event this coming Saturday (June 28) along with Brea Lawrenson and the Small Town Pistols. Bobby has found plenty of success, to date, in his career but if it wasn’t for a simple $20 bet at a pub in Australia we might never have come to know Bobby Wills the country music singer / songwriter.
“We were at an open mic night and my buddy bet me $20 that I wouldn’t get up and sing with the band, so I did,” Wills says of the Australian trip. “I sang “The Dance” by Garth Brooks and there was a reaction from the crowd that I didn’t anticipate. It was amazing. I’d always poked around music but I’d never put any real effort into it, so I started to learn to play guitar while I was over there.”
It seems as though that moment set a chain of events in motion, upon his return to Canada Bobby learned that his biological mother had registered to request contact (as had he). Through this connection Bobby learned of his musical DNA.
“The first night I visited my biological father, we sat up all night listening to records. We both shared an affinity for a great lyric, and it was then that I realized ‘This is real. This is in my blood. This isn’t just a crazy dream I had; this is part of who I am.’ It really crystallized for me then.” This journey solidified my love of music and aspiring passion to pursue this love on a professional level.”
Bobby’s debut album, ‘Man with No Past‘, was independently released in 2010 and yielded the single “A Little More Time” which became a Billboard Country Top 40 single.
Bobby Wills – Crazy Enough
Bobby’s success continued with his second album, ‘If It Was That Easy’, landing the coveted Rising Star Award at the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards last fall followed by a major record deal with MDM Records in January 2014. Bobby is set to release his third album, ‘Crazy Enough‘, tomorrow just days before kicking off his summer tour at Dauphin Country Fest in Dauphin Manitoba. If you can’t catch Bobby at Calabogie Peaks on the weekend you can still catch him in Ontario at Manitoulin Country Fest and the South Mountain Fair this August.
20 Questions with Bobby Wills
SC: It’s been a banner year for Bobby Wills. First the big win of Rising Star at the CCMA’s followed recently by the signing with MDM Records. How has the success changed your life?
BW: The award is sure a milestone, but really hasn’t changed much. The new deal with MDM has been a breath of fresh air. Great team, great people!! Definitely a good fit.
SC: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to purse music as a career. We know that you started in music at a very early age, describe the moment that you knew that music was the path for you and what inspired you to take that path.
BW: I actually started later than most. I always wanted to be in music, but I really didn’t do anything about it until a silly bet got me on stage in a pub in Australia. I was 19 I think.
Bobby Wills
SC: Name any artist(s), you haven’t already collaborated with, that you would like to work with?
BW: Wow, too many too list here!! The top of the “Bucket List” would be to write with Jamey Johnson.
SC: Like you, I’m adopted. In my case I was raised knowing that fact and was always taught the utmost respect for my biological parents (I met my birth mother several years ago). It’s no secret that adoption is something close to your heart. Your music career really kicked off after you met your birth parents, how did that meeting inspire you and what advice can you give other adoptees?
BW: It made my connection and love of music more meaningful, discovering it was “In The Genes”. I would say that the only advice I can give is to follow your heart. You may not know where some of your sensibility comes from, but don’t ignore your instincts. They are probably telling you what you should be doing. That is probably good advice in general.
SC: If you could look at your entire career to date, what would you say is your defining moment so far?
BW: So far the CCMA award nominations have set the tone for us. Hopefully the true defining moment still lies ahead of us.
SC: What’s your all-¬‐time favorite movie?
BW: In the Name of the Father
SC: Your ideal brain food?
BW: Almonds
SC: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)?
BW: The Restaurant – Las Ventannas -Cabo San Lucas Mexico
SC: Favourite TV show (all‐time)?
BW: Seinfeld
SC: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
BW: Keith Whitley
Bobby Wills
SC: iPhone, Android or Blackberry?
BW: iPhone
SC: Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
BW: Being recognized at the mall while I was out with my kids… it was a very strange moment. I had no idea how to behave… It doesn’t happen very often. - something tells us this is going to start happening much more often
SC: What are your family member’s musical interests and abilities?
BW: All over the shop… We have Jazz -Classical musicians in the family
SC: Name a fictional character most like you?
BW: No Idea….
SC: In “Bobby Wills, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
Matt Damon
BW: Matt Damon - it could work…
SC: Star Trek or Star Wars?
BW: Both – I’m a Nerd
SC: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
BW: BEACH PLEASE
SC: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
BW: Forgive quickly -¬‐for your own sake
SC: We know that you work closely with the Adoption Council of Canada is there any other charity that is close to your heart?
BW: The Canadian Museum For Human Rights ‐I believe educating our youth is the secret to making a difference. The Museum is dedicated to education.
SC: The album ‘Crazy Enough’ hits the streets in one week, what can you tell your fans about it?
BW:It has something for everyone… The album covers a lot of ground from Traditional to Pop it’s all here! I love songs that say something, and hopefully people will think we have done just that.
We’d like to thank Bobby for taking the time to answer our questions and to Holly from HC Consulting for helping set it up. We wish Bobby a world of success with his new album and have no doubt that this is just the beginning! For all the information about Bobby and his music be sure to visit him online at www.bobbywills.com!
The debut single off of his latest album is the title track “Crazy Enough”, don’t forget the album is available online and in-stores tomorrow!