Calling all country and/or western fans; Will Thomas Reed requires your attention! The hotshot country rocker released his debut EP, To Whom It May Concern, this week, delivering on months of anticipation, bringing a collection of raucous, lively, and damn catchy songs straight to your ears. Reed works as a solo artist and managed to find the time in his more than hectic schedule to fill us in on what his music means to him, and what he has been working on.
Simple things first – where are you from?
My name is Will Thomas Reed and I was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. I now reside in Nashville, TN.
How long have you been playing?
I have been playing and writing songs since I was 7 years old. Started playing drums when I was 4.
What are your influences?
My biggest influences are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, George Jones, Grand Funk Railroad, and Willie Nelson. Lots of classic rock and classic country.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
My music is unique in the sense that I pull from such an array of artists and genres and I don’t necessarily conform to one specific style. I want to get my story across but in a way that allows listeners of all styles and genres will feel welcome and take something away from it.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
I don’t stick to a specific lyrical “theme” for the album, per sé, but for the song. I like to make the album up of several different stories or moments from my life, or [times when] someone has impacted or influenced my life.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
My live shows are my favourite part of being a musician. That’s where I get to interact with the crowd and make those connections with my listeners. I have been playing live shows for 20 years now and every show is different.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
One of the wildest things I’ve had happen at a show was at a hometown show back in VA at a local honky-tonk that set up right against the James River. I had played my set and the crowd decided that they wanted more so I played more, and for every song I played, more and more shots of whiskey were handed up to me, to the point that I “took a nap” in the midst of playing one of my tunes and was woken up by a standing ovation. In an attempt to wake myself up, I told the crowd we were all going skinny dipping down to the river, at which point a parade of bar goers followed me out the front door, leaving only a trail of clothes all the way down the river bank!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I play a multitude of guitars, kind of an obsession. I love my Fender Telecasters and my Gibson Les Pauls, I also have a real sweet old 1965 Gibson SJN I use for my acoustic type shows. It’s beat to hell, but plays and sounds like a dream. I also have a beautiful PRS grand tanare acoustic that is a cannon that I bring out on the road.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
My single Home Is Where The Bar Is is currently out on Spotify, Apple music, and iTunes, and my EP, To Whom It May Concern… will be out June 1st!
What are your plans for 2018?
Plan for 2018 is hit the road and promote the album being out! Look for me at a venue near you!
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
If I could be out on tour with anyone right now I’d love to be opening up for the “final” Fleetwood Mac tour with Mike Campbell, and have my good friends in Born Crooked opening for me! Great people and great musicians alike!
To Whom It May Concern… is out now and is available to buy here.
Will Thomas Reed: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | youtube
