In the April 2021 edition of Texas Life Magazine, we were blessed to have Will Banister as our featured cover story. Will’s music was introduced to us by a very dear friend and after hearing the first song, we were immediate fans. His deep-rooted, classic country stylings are accompanied by traditional fiddle and steel guitar that take the listener back to the greats of country music. Artists like Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and so many more. Will says he is committed to his roots and to the traditional country sound he loves so much. Will expressed that he has a deep appreciation for the history of country music and those artists who came before him, which you can absolutely hear with each note he sings.
Born and raised in Portales, N.M, Will Banister grew up listening 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 music. 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. In 2021, Will released his newest album, Everything Burns. Since the release of this album, Will’s popularity has grown exponentially. He has been writing with songwriting legend Roger Springer, and since then has released even more hits. Songs like Right Where We Belong, and his newest single, When I Get There. Springer has written songs for Mark Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, and more.
In September of 2021, Will received a phone call asking if he would be willing to record a song written by Grammy award winner Mark Mancina for an upcoming movie. Before knowing the full details, Will agreed to record the song in his home studio and send the track back for approval. After the song was played for the director of the movie, Will received another call saying that his home recording was absolutely loved by the director and would be used in the opening scenes of the movie. The movie was to be called Cry Macho and would be directed by Hollywood legend, Clint Eastwood! Clint liked what he heard so much, he decided to keep the vocal track as-is. Eastwood said, “that guys voice is from the top of the speakers, down to your feet.” Two weeks before the movie was to be released, Clint asked Will if his band, along with the band members’ wives, would honor him to play a private show for his birthday party at his golf course in California. He even flew Will and his wife Tessa back to California a few weeks after the party so they could attend the premiere of his new movie. Before the premiere Clint even treated Will and Tessa to dinner and a karaoke party.
Will’s newest single, When I Get There, is a song that pulls at the heart of each listener. We have all experienced the tragic loss of a loved one and, When I Get There, reminds us that we will get to see that person again who meant so much to us in our lives. I have never experienced a song that can pull so much emotion out of the listener and continue to do so each and every time you hear it. Even after hearing it over 50 times, it still has the ability to paint the picture of what it will be like when you finally get to see your loved one again. I encourage each of you to listen to the song, and then watch the music video. It will bring tears of joy to your eyes when you think about what it will be like when you see that person again who meant so much to you.
Artists like Will Banister are exceedingly rare. His songwriting and performances are something that is greatly missing in mainstream country music today. Not only is he an amazing artist, Will is also the kind of person you meet that makes a positive impact on your life. He is a loving husband to Tessa and devoted father to their 4 children. After his shows he is always available for his growing number of fans. Will is one of the most humble, genuine individuals you will ever meet. He loves God, his family and country. When asked how he is able to balance family and life on the road, Will immediately gave all the credit to his wife. He stated that without Tessa, he would not be the man he is today.
For each of us at Texas Life Magazine we want to thank Will Banister for once again agreeing to be our featured cover story. It is so incredibly refreshing to have such a talented, wholesome, devoted Christian, and family man associated with our publication. Thank you Will, and we all look forward to watching you and your successes as time goes on.
For upcoming show dates, latest music and news please follow Will on social media platforms @willbanistermusic
