Episode 079–Will Black, Family, Health, Rock and Business with Bruce Hilliard

Canadian singer-songwriter Will Black crafts timeless, high-energy tunes rooted in chord-driven, melodic rock n’ roll. Layers of instrumental harmonies and thoughtful lyrics explore love, lust and heartbreak and honor the classic rock songwriters that continue to inspire him including Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and John Mellencamp. Through magnetic live performances that channel the power of commanding entertainers such as the Rolling Stones, Prince and Bon Jovi, Will pulls audiences into his rock guitar-infused orbit. His latest album Cry Like Hell is a diverse collection of tunes, which provide personal insight into some of his life’s many plot twists. Will’s creative journey has been dually marked by a deep respect for the roots of modern music and a commitment to forge his own path as an artist. As a kid growing up in the ‘80s across Canada, he was fascinated by his mother’s six-string acoustic guitar. In middle school, he began taking lessons at the local music store and eventually graduated to a “Sears Special” cherry red electric guitar. In his later teens, he developed skills as a compelling vocalist through high school bands and as leader of his own garage rock group. By the time he graduated, he had fully resolved to pursue a professional music career and began to weave his way throughout Western Canada busking, grabbing regular gigs and working jobs that gave him the freedom to develop his talent. Will first found professional success with his classic rock duo The Doorcrashers. In 2001 he embarked on a new voyage as a full-time seafaring entertainer maintaining a rigorous live performance schedule on Carnival and Celebrity Cruise Lines. Since 2005, Will has enjoyed a long-term residency at Bermuda’s Hog Penny Pub where he performs five nights a week, April through December, frequently mixing up his show with different themes and other local acts. For the past decade, Will Black has continued to consistently write and perform fresh material, collaborate on projects with other inventive artists and build up an enthusiastic following worldwide by sharing his deep passion for enriching the vibrant independent music community. In 2008, he recorded and self-produced his debut 8 track album Dancing With The Dead at the legendary Metalworks Studios in Toronto alongside a gifted team of the city’s top session musicians. The song Senorita Ballerina placed in the top 20 for the Rock/Alternative category in Unisong’s 12th Annual International Songwriting Contest, was nominated as Best Rock Song at the 2008 Ontario Independent Music Awards and was also selected as a Semi-Finalist in the 2008 UK Songwriting Contest. Will's Website Will Black"s Inner Circle Membership Will's Facebook