The Man That Came Up On Blues Called Country – Bert Wills
There is a part of the United States known as Appalachia. A mountainous region famous for its hard working coal miners, timber workers, and farmers. These folks produced and still to this day continue to produce some of the best music in the world. It’s down home in nature, written and sung among family and neighbors about life in general. Life as it unfolds in their world. Poor folks for the most part but folks filled with spirit, pride, honesty, and a lot of love. To this very day it’s still common for families to get together and one family brings the potato salad and another the baked beans. Music is a big thing in Appalachia and at family and neighborhood get togethers, neighbors and relatives bring flat tops, harmonicas, fiddles, sometimes a dulcimer, or an accordion. Any adult that has lived in this neck of the woods as a young boy or girl would be deeply influenced by their roots in music, that’s a given. It’s just how it is. That brings us to Bert Wills. Bert Wills is one of the most sought after studio session players today. Bert hails from a town named Ashland that’s located in the northeastern part of Kentucky so naturally the man grew up on Appalachian music. Today, years later, when Bert performs in Texas or out 8
of state the accolades about his performance will be that his music comes across with a lot of heart. Bert’s musical presence was harvested in Appalachia and then nurtured in Texas. Bert’s Dad took care of Hank Williams’ seven Cadillacs. His songs struck a chord with Bert. Radio presented Hank’s music as country but it had this other feeling to it as well and that other feeling was the blues. Hearing Hank’s music with his Dad was a positive experience for a kid still learning to play a six string. In fact he was already carrying around a desire to write some music back then and now today does he ever write some good songs. Short on money but long on time Bert taught himself how to play both the guitar and
Rock and Blues International • September 2020
the harmonica. It’s interesting to note that Bert decided that he wanted to play the harmonica after hearing Bob Dylan on harp. Around the age of twelve Bert would hitchhike home to northern Kentucky from Texas, guitar slung over his shoulder and while waiting for the next ride he learned to play the harmonica. He received his first harmonica from a man named Dub Williams when he was seven or eight. Mr. Williams played the harp straight up meaning he favored songs like Jimmy Crack Corn and other American folk songs. Bert has come a long way since those early days. In fact if you heard Bert lay down a lick or two today, his harp playing would absolutely blow you away, guaranteed. It’s crisp, clear, he bends notes with amazing feeling and it will draw you in before you know it. This occurs because the man feels what he is playing and that is what they say about the blues, it’s a feeling. Bert Wills is the real deal. His albums reflect what you have just read. Take a listen, real American musical culture. Country music and Blues live right next door to each other. Bert Wills exemplifies that musical cross culture in his body of work. Check him out. https:// bertwillsmusic.com/
