Welcome to the home of singer/songwriter Will Bailey.
Born in the small resort of Blackpool, Lancashire, England in 1971 on a stormy October night, Will Bailey was raised by music. From the likes of Nat King Cole, Bill Haley and the Comets, Buddy Holly and The Ink Spots to the Beatles, Chuck Berry and further on to Motorhead, Black Sabbath and of course two of his primary influences; Bruce Springsteen and Don Williams.
Coming from a very rocky childhood, music was his salvation. A method of keeping away bad dreams and dark days. "I think I became a recluse, with a record player as my only friend. Not that I minded. To loose myself in bygone days and present day songs was an immense adventure for me. Yep, I was definetley one of the hairbrush and mirror brigade." He remembers. "I think without being raised on such a diversity of sounds I wouldn't appreciate music today."
In a Food Superstore, that happened to have a record section, his grandfather introduced him to the first of the artists that would put a dream inside a young Will Bailey's head. Don Williams. "It was the voice. That soft, gentle voice that earned the moniker of the Gentle Giant of Country. I was about seven years old and trying to imitate Don's voice anyway I could. Trying to match note for note the likes of Amanda and I Recall A Gypsy Woman." And so it began...
Will began writing songs from then on, trying to copy what he had already heard. But it wasn't until 1981 when he heard what would be a song that would follow him for the rest of his life, and which brought everything into a solid perspective. "It was Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen. That driving drum beat at the beginning and the sheer energy of the track..that was what I wanted...that was kind of a missing link for me. So between Don Williams and Bruce Springsteen I had gathered a strange concoction of styles."
But there still was one missing piece of the puzzle and he would have to wait till 1994. In a country music dedicated club he heard the driving force behind who he would eventually be. Garth Brooks and arrived on Will's CD player. "Garth, to me, is probably one of the greatest live performers around, which gave me a sense of energy in everything I do. He once said as a kid he was a George Strait wannabe, and 10-15 years on he still was a George Strait wannabe. Guess that applies to myself when I look at Garth Brooks."
So, with Mr's Williams, Springsteen and Brooks as primary influences, and with a lyrical talent second to none, how far does he expect to go. Well, his feet are firmly planted in the earth. "We all dream at some point about being stars. I've had that dream, and that's a good dream to have. Guess when I look at the music industry today, and see what a mess it's in, I'll be glad just to earn a living out of what I do performing live and making my own records. All I know is that no matter how far I go, if I don't make the attempt, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Listed On: http://www.partysounds.co.uk
