Will Banister, Three Chords and the Truth of Real Country Music

I was born in the 1970’s to a family who absolutely adored authentic country music. Raised on the tear jerking melodies of Hank Sr., Lefty, Merle, Cash, Jones, Strait, and so many more genuine country artists, it is difficult to find on today’s radio a resemblance of the sounds from my youth. Not to take anything away from what Nashville is releasing today. I just miss those old songs and writing that reached into your soul and could make even the manliest man cry when he heard the words that so much relate to his life. Just like George Jones said, the ones who “tear your heart out when they sing.” That’s real country music. That’s Will Bannister.

Born and raised in Portales, N.M, Will Banister grew up listing to his dad and grandfather playing the records of Charley Pride, Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. These times helped to shape the singer/songwriter Will has become today. When Will was 12 years old his mother bought him a guitar and a box set of Hank Williams. It was then that he started playing and learning all those old songs he grew up listening to.

At the age of 21 Will started recording in Johnny Mulhair’s recording studio in Portales. Mulhair worked with LeAnn Rimes early in her career playing lead guitar and producing. As Will began recording more songs and releasing albums, he quickly started getting noticed. His music is accompanied with traditional fiddle and steel guitar stylings that remind you of all the greats from Hank Williams to Alan Jackson.

With the successes of songs like Turned Her On to Country, and touring throughout Texas and New Mexico, it wasn’t long before his music began gaining fans overseas. Will has successfully had 8 tours the United Kingdom. He also opened for Reba McEntire at Wembley Stadium in London.

For the past 10 years Will has been working full time for his career in country music. He has now made the addition of Roger Springer to his team. Springer has written songs for Mark Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, and more. Red 11 music has just added Will to their roster. His page on their website quotes Springer as saying “Will Banister is one of the great hopes for the future of country music”.

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic began a year ago, Will was set to release his latest album Everything Burns. With major venues closing and show being cancelled, Will has relied on solo shows to promote the new album. And it is working! Everything Burns is filled with 11 amazing country songs, 10 of these were written or co-written by Will himself. The album has been gathering great reviews and was announced as album of the month in the March edition of Country Music People Magazine in the United Kingdom.

Will is a devoted husband and loving father to 4 children. His Facebook page has over 100,000 fans and quickly growing. He has thousands of YouTube subscribers to his channel. It is there you can see music videos and live performances of Will’s original music, along with covers he performs from his home of greats like Keith Whitley, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Brooks and Dunn, and so many more. I definitely recommend subscribing to his channel. It is filled with hours of songs that will immediately turn you into a fan.