Many people have honored me with their presence on stage... "Shaky" Dave Pollack (harmonica), Glendon Jones (fiddle), Harrison Cannon (upright), Austin Hughes (vox and guitar), Rose Thomson (vox and guitar), Preacher Boy (vox and guitar), C. Gibbs (vox and guitar), Joe Magistro (drums), Beatnik Beats (vitamins and hubcaps), Tim Carroll (guitar), Paul Griffith (drums), Paul Slivka (bass), Jim Whitney (bass), John Mettam (drums), Rob Jost (bass), Bryan Miller (vocals and guitar), Brian Geltner (drums), Mike Lenore (bass), Jan Bell (vocals), Jolie Holland (fiddle), Sam Parton (guitar and vocals), Hilary Hawke (banjo), Rima Fand (violin), Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel), Mike Lenore (bass), Wylie Wirth (drums)
Influences
Junior Kimbrough, Tony Joe White, Tom Waits, R. L. Burnside, Chuck E. Weiss, Son House, Johnny Cash, Johnny Shines, Otis Rush, Dayna Kurtz, Samantha Keely Smith (painter)
Sounds Like
Junior Kimbrough, Tom Waits, The Black Keys, Chris Whitley, R. L. Burnside, Skip James, Chuck E. Weiss, Son House, Tony Joe White
"Will Scott, his voice as thick as blood, sometimes accompanies with guitar; his weird liturgies bring out the pathos in pop." New York Press
"Gifted" Nashville City Paper
"Between his uniquely beautiful voice, talented six-string skills and haunting melodies, Scott shines a ray of light into a dark and dying music industry." Anchorage Daily News
"Some of the most innovative pieces of blues songwriting of the year." Louisville Music News
"One of the great... voices of our time"
Rev. Reggie Qualls
"Guitarist Will Scott has a good vibrato and a knack for surprises."
Blues Revue
Biography
Will Scott was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up there, and in Oak Park, IL. His great-grandfather was a bluegrass and country musician, his grandfather played banjo and sousaphone, his mother was a singer, his father played jazz and rock 'n' roll guitar, and his step-father played and sang blues, rock, and sea chanteys, among other things. Out of this eclectic mix of influences, Scott first took to playing blues on a Harmony electric guitar given to him for his 13th birthday.
After playing for years with his family, Scott began performing with a couple of bands in his early twenties and eventually formed his own group, The Forecasters, in 1997. The release of The Forecasters independent CD, "Too Damn Cold," a year later brought acclaim from around the world and recognition of Scott's distinctive songwriting and singing. It also helped to revive a blues scene in a town long loyal to college rock (Bloomington, Indiana).
In 1999, Scott moved to Los Angeles in search of some some new influences and a career in music. With the move came a change in style and focus, from blues and guitar to singing and songwriting. Using his solid blues roots as a launchpad, Scott began writing on the outskirts of the genre and developing his own distinctively deep style of rock 'n' roll. In the process, he self-released some of his blues studies under the title " Solo Electric Blues ."
Although just a home-cooked CD, the album was quite well-received and helped to launch his career when he moved to New York in 2001. "Folks in New York City just seemed to get what I was doing. I booked a show at Living Room, and a few other songwriting hot-spots in my first month here. That's when I knew I'd made it to the right place."
Scott's style crystallized in New York into a mix of trance americana, funk, soul, blues and roots rock. His success in New York has led to an astonishing list of accomplishments, including a number of co-writing projects with Gold Record recipient, Preacher Boy (Blind Pig Records, Coast Road Records, Eagle Eye Cherry), C. Gibbs (Atlantic Records), Jesse Harms (Eddie Money, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon, Alligator Records, et al.), and John Truitt (Guitar Shorty, Alligator Records).
In 2005, Scott worked with renowned choreograp'her, Fiona Marcotty-Dolenga, on her acclaimed "Paradise Strategies" project, singing live to dances choreographed to his writing. He has shared the stage with a long list of respected and legendary, artists including Buddy Miller, Jolie Holland, Sam Myers, Elizabeth Cook, Tim Carroll, Preacher Boy, and C. Gibbs.
Will Scott lives in Brooklyn, New York and performs regularly in the area and on tour. He is presently working on his next recording project.
Hi Will…thanks for the ADD! Nice to meet You! I’m Mugician! I really enjoyed listening to your music! You’re songs are very Cool! Best wishes….much respect for you and your accomplishments…nicely done!
My pleasure sugar... great music, a bloody mary (and an awesome brunch)... and up before sunset.. what could be better! I can't think of a sweeter way to spend a Sunday, you and Wylie really put me in a good way. Seeya soon, and we can 'goodbye' proper then...
Will- i don't think i can afford that cheap wine we usually drink during out bitching sessions...but i sure would like to have one soon....got any moonshine dear boy?? :-) you are so talented. such an inspiration. miss you. Sam xxx detail from BRIGHTNESS FALLS, 64"x84", oil on canvas, 2005.
detail from MESSENGER, 84"x60", oil on canvas, 1998.
Hey there :) Thanks for accepting my request! I caught some of your tunes and now I can't get enough! Love it. Wishing you happiness and success! xx Rose :)
hi, we're sky slope music. thanks for having us. feel free to pop in any old time. there's coffee cake in the fridge. peace to you, SSM www.skyslopemusic.com
Dear Will- I miss you...we have to have a bitching session soon :-) wanted to share a detail from my new painting...SIREN. almost lured me to my death...ha ha. but i made it through. love and light to you, Sam xxx
we made you another podcast. We're kind of getting the hang of it and this one is pretty good. it's the CMJ Episode with some great bands you probably havent heard yet.