In 2017, Bill Abernathy’s album “Find A Way” reached #5 on the Roots Music Report Traditional Folk Albums chart, spending more than a year on the chart. His single, “Goodbye Will Never Come Again” reached #1 on the Traditional Folk Songs chart. Now, the rootsy folk/americana artist is riding high on his recent success. With his latest album, “Crossing Willow Creek” receiving critical praise and first single, “Cry Wolf” climbing several radio airplay charts, Abernathy is just hitting his stride as one of today’s most important voices in his genre.”
My inspiration for music comes from many places. Events that occur to me, my family, my friends, and sometimes to people I have never met. I find it interesting to let my imagination go regarding these events and see where it takes me. Hence the statement, “If you hear a song that sounds like it was written about you, it might have been”.
I am a pure lyrics first writer. I am a bit of a storyteller. I feel the story and lyrics tell me what the rest of the song is supposed to sound like. Due to the variety in the life events that eventually turn into my music, the final songs end up being quite diverse both lyrically and musically. I really enjoy the freedom to create this way, and many times I am quite surprised how the songs turn out.
https://www.billabernathy.com/
- Hi Bill! Thanks, so much for taking the time to speak to us. We’re thrilled to have you. 2019/2020 seems to be among your biggest years in the music industry, to date. What has been the single greatest achievement during this time period? What are you most proud of?
It’s been a bit crazy the last 18 months or so. Our Crossing Willow Creek project has really gained substantial support throughout the industry and across our fan base. What I am most proud of is the feedback we get from our fan base. When I talk with someone or get a note from a fan are the most special times for me. When a fan tells our music has touched them in some way, made them laugh, made them think, even made them cry, these are the moments I am most proud of. I am thrilled when my stories and songs meet people at a place in their lives and give them something to take away, they hadn’t had before. That is really what it’s all about for me.
2. Of the radio hits you’ve had, “Cry Wolf,” “Changes,” “Whiskey Road” and “Can’t Go Back,” which was the biggest surprise for you and why?
Changes, Whiskey Road and Can’t Go Back are really story songs. They discuss things that have happened in my life, and a bit of how I dealt with them. It’s cool that folks can relate to those. The biggest surprise to me was Cry Wolf. It’s more of a social commentary tune. I really thought I would get feedback from folks who would cherry pick a few lyrics and miss the full intent of the tune. The surprise is, that didn’t happen. Folks really have read and analyzed the lyric realizing the tune is really not pointing out just one faction of society, but rather a top down look on society as a whole and the many areas of dysfunction we have created. The intent of the tune was not to tell you what to think, but rather to challenge each of us to think. To not automatically follow the herd, but rather think for yourself, make your own decisions and form your own opinions. Folks got that, and that makes me have much more confidence in all of us.
3. Your music straddles the line between several genres, including folk, country, rock and even some blues. Where does that sound come from? Who are your main influences?
I think the true value of being a singer songwriter is the versatility of genre I can put into my music. As a storyteller, I can pick whatever genre I feel is the most effective to deliver the message of the song. I have been influenced by many artists over time, but I tend to find singer songwriters the most interesting to me. Many of the great singer songwriters over time have written in multiple genre’s I think to accomplish the same thing. James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Dave Grohl, John Mayer, Steven Stills, David Crosby, etc. The list goes on and on.
4. It’s no secret that you are a fan of Dan Fogelberg’s. If you could have been a fly on the wall during any songwriting session of Dan’s, what song would you most like to have watched and listened to him write?
Congratulations on asking a million-dollar question! Dan wrote so many songs that have met me at different places in my life. I think his Leader of the Band song written for his father is magnificent as are all his tunes that were on the radio. I have always tended to look beyond the hits and a little deeper in the albums and find my personal favorites there. This is tough but Dan’s tune These Days from his Captured Angel album has always been a favorite of mine.
“I used to think of myself as a soldier
Holding his own against impossible odds
Badly outnumbered and caught in a crossfire
Of devils and gods
All I ever wanted to be was free
All I ever looked for was
What was within my eyes could see
Oh, but, these days
Are just like you and me
Oh, but, these days
Are just like you and me”
This I think would start a great discussion
5. Kansas City has been pretty well locked-down due to the Corona virus. Do you agree/disagree with the locking down of businesses? How has it affected you, personally? What’s the first thing you want to do once everything opens back up?
As someone who has done an appreciable amount of risk analysis over my lifetime, there are constants we need to understand. What is the downside potential, and what information do we have to better understand the situation and make data-based decisions? In our current Corona virus world, we don’t have enough information to answer either of those questions. When that situation occurs, you move far more into the safe zone while compiling information to move forward with. That said, I do agree with locking down for safety. What I don’t agree with is the politicization of information and data for personal and political gain, which is clearly the situation we find ourselves in today. To quote myself.., “Tell me who’s crying wolf”.
I’ve fortunate the lock down has not had tremendous effect on me personally. I have been able to adjust to the new environment and still keep things moving. I am lucky that way. Live streaming concerts are an example of adjusting to our environment. I really enjoy doing these. First thing I will do when (and if) things get back to normal? Go guitar shopping obviously. LOL
6. You were recently on tour (before Covid hit.) Where was your favorite place to perform during that tour?
I really had a good time on our “Living the Dream” tour. Each show was different and special in their own way. I think the third show on the tour in Houston was really special. Great venue but what really made if fun was some old friends of mine who I had not seen in several years came and we got to talk and catch up. For me the shows are all about relationships with the audience and getting the chance to hang out with my old friends unexpectedly was really cool.
7. What’s next for Bill Abernathy? Any new singles or full-lengths coming?
Well once I get out of quarantine, and do a little guitar shopping, I have new tunes to get cut in the studio. I really like these new tunes and am excited to get them out for folks to hear. I have a few ideas to the title of the new project, but I am leaning to “This is why the aliens won’t talk to us” as a working title. Lol. From a process standpoint, I expect to focus more on doing 1-3 singles at a time and release them. Maybe they are put together into a full-length project at some point. We shall see
8. Thanks so much for your time, Bill. Any parting words for our readers?
Hang in there. We will get through this time. I try to focus on the positive, so I have created a list of things I want to accomplish during quarantine. I expect at the end I will have some new tunes, updated web sites and media stuff, and probably the cleanest most organized closets in the history of man. Lol. Keep smiling, this too shall pass. Live Long and Prosper