Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2013, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Will Banister, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 17 January 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Will Banister who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Will Banister
This quote was submitted on Thursday 17 January 2013.
‘I’ve been listening to Gene Watson ever since I can remember.
When I was a little kid, I would listen to ‘Fourteen Carat Mind‘, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001), over and over again.
I saw him live in 2011 and his voice sounded as good as ever.
He is one of my biggest influences.
I’m very excited to get to play a few shows with him’
Thank you, Will Banister, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Will Banister…
Will Banister, who hails from New Mexico, was encouraged, by both his father and grandfather, to listen to classic country music.
Will Banister’s mother was also a fan of Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953).
As a result of this early musical education, Will Banister began to appreciate real traditional country music and began to hone his own song-writing skills.
Will Banister’s musical influences included four extraordinary country music artists, Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982).
Will Banister also grew up listening to a number of legendary country music artists, including Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), Gene Watson, Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), George Strait, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009).
In 2007, when he was nineteen years old, Will Banister began to write his own material; the first composition which he was proud enough of to share with the world was a song called ‘You Remind Me’, which was later included on his debut album, ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010).
The title track of Will Banister’s debut album, ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010), was inspired by Will’s wife, Tessa; Mrs Banister was also the inspiration for another of the album’s first class songs, ‘I Hate Santa Fe (Tessa’s Song)’. Tessa Banister is a fan of both Randy Travis and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989).
The material on Will Banister’s debut album, ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010), which was released on Thursday 1 July 2010, was compared to the early recordings of George Strait; comparisons were also made to Clint Black‘s debut album, ‘Killin’ Time’ (RCA Records, 1989).
Will Banister’s debut album, ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010) included the following tracks:
‘Turned Her On To Country’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Modern Day Rambler’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I Hate Santa Fe (Tessa’s Song)’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I’ve Never Been Any Other Way’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Give Me One Minute’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I Really Had Her Going’ (written by Will Banister)
‘You Remind Me’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Since I Lost You’ (written by Will Banister)
‘If I Had Time’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Hurtin’ Song’ (written by Will Banister)
Will Banister first gained major attention in the United Kingdom when ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010) was awarded ‘CD of The Month’ in the September 2011 issue of the United Kingdom’s highly influential monthly publication, Country Music People; a glowing review by Country Music People editor Duncan Warwick, which you can read here, and the ensuing exposure in turn led to building business with the import album dealers.
The title track of Will Banister’s ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010), enjoyed a four week stay at No.1 on the United Kingdom’s weekly Hot Disc Chart, ensuring that Will Banister had access to a radio audience way beyond British shores.
Will Banister not only proved a winner with the country music audience but also gained attention of the national media, with the Daily Telegraph’s Douglas McPherson concluding his Wembley review with the words: ‘The most memorable moment (of the festival) found 23-year-old Will Banister wowing the crowd with a sublimely straightforward ‘Lovesick Blues’.
Sixty-three years after Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) sang ‘Lovesick Blues’, it was proof that ‘country, like rock ‘n’ roll, will never die’.
In late 2011, despite being in what he termed ‘semi-retirement’, United Kingdom-based publicist Tony Byworth continued to remain active within the country music scene and was responsible for bringing Will Banister to a wider audience following his discovery of Will during one of his many trips to the United States.
In the January 2012 issue of Country Music People, in his regular column in the magazine, David Allan wrote that he felt that Will Banister was going to be his tip for the surprise hit of Wembley Country Music Festival in London.
Although it was brief, Will Banister’s debut United Kingdom tour was a great success.
Following on from his appearance at Wembley’s International Festival of Country Music in London on Sunday 26 February 2012, and the huge critical acclaim for his ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010), the Clovis, New Mexico country music traditionalist played before ecstatic audiences in Basildon, Widnes, Leeds, Watton (in Norfolk) and Nottingham.
After each concert, Will Banister spent time meeting with the crowds, signing autographs and selling copies of his then brand new album, ‘Turn Back Time’ (Cloviste Records, 2012), which received its worldwide premier to coincide with the tour.
Then, after the United Kingdom tour, Will Banister’s Facebook page continued to host many compliments and good wishes.
Backing Will Banister on every date were top British musicians Derek Thurlby (steel guitar), John J. Paul (keyboards), John Pettifer (guitar) and Roy Martin (drums), who were joined by Will Banister’s record producer / manager Johnny Mulhair (guitar, harmonica) and Jill Mulhair (bass, vocals).
The tour was promoted by Nicky James who, previously, brought to the United Kingdom, a number of country music stalwarts, including Gene Watson, Moe Bandy and Johnny Rodriguez.
At Easter 2013, Will Banister made his Scottish debut at Caithness (Northern Nashville) Country Music Festival in Halkirk, Scotland.
Between Friday 12 July 2013 and Sunday 14 July 2013, Will Banister also appeared, as a headline act, at The Americana Festival at Newark County Showground in England.
Country music fans applauded Will Banister’s ‘Turn Back Time’ (Cloviste Records, 2012), an album which equalled the praise afforded the earlier ‘Turned Her On To Country’ (Cloviste Records, 2010), a not easy task when the first rated among the finest country music album releases of 2012.
Country Music People provided the first print review of Will Banister’s ‘Turn Back Time’ (Cloviste Records, 2012), with editor Duncan Warwick awarding the album ‘CD of The Month’ in the October 2012 issue of Country Music People.
On Wednesday 26 September 2012, Will Banister saw the release of ‘Turn Back Time’ (Cloviste Records, 2012), which was produced by Johnny Mulhair and Will Banister (with the exception of ‘She’s Somewhere In Texas Tonight’, which was produced by Johnny Mulhair, Will Banister and Paul Goad), and included the following tracks:
‘Turn Back Time’ (written by Colt Banister)
‘She’s Somewhere In Texas Tonight’ (written by Johnny Mulhair, Brad Billingsley and Will Banister)
‘I Wonder Who’s In Denver’ (written by Will Banister)
‘(Let’s Make) An Old Love New Again’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I Want You To Stay’ (written by Will Banister)
‘I’m Getting Close’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Heartbroken Honkytonk Queen’ (written by Will Banister)
‘This Seems More Like Living’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Ain’t Got No Blues’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Good Times Will Stay’ (written by Will Banister)
‘Fiddle Man’ (written by Colt Banister and Will Banister)
Personnel involved in the recording of Will Banister’s ‘Turn Back Time’ (Cloviste Records, 2012) included the following:
Will Banister (lead vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar on ‘Heartbroken Honkytonk Queen’)
Johnny Mulhair (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, gut string guitar, congas)
Jill Mulhair and Colt Banister (harmony vocals)
Paul Goad (piano, electric piano, bass guitar)
David Strong (drums)
Chek Rippee (fiddle)
Tommy Detamore (steel guitar, Dobro)
Will Banister & The Mulberry Band is one of the most versatile bands in the United States, featuring Johnny Mulhair and Jill Mulhair, along with Duane Castleberry.
Johnny Mulhair of Will Banister & The Mulberry Band, is the direct connection to the Clovis Sound and has recorded with Norman Petty (Wednesday 25 May 1927 – Wednesday 15 August 1984).
Johnny Mulhair co-produced, along with Greg Walker and Wilbur C. Rimes, LeAnn Rimes’ ‘All That’ (Nor Va Jak Records, 1994), which included the following tracks:
‘Blue’, which was written by Bill Mack) (Saturday 4 June 1932 – Friday 31 July 2020)
‘Sure Thing’ (written by Joyce Harrison)
‘I’ll Get Even With You’ (written by Coweta House)
‘Why Can’t We’ (written by Allen Shamblin, Austin Cunningham and Chuck Cannon)
‘The Rest Is History’ (written by Clay Blaker and Karen Staley)
‘Broken Wing’ (written by David Nowlen)
‘Cowboy’s Sweetheart’, which was written by Patsy Montana (Friday 30 October 1908 – Friday 3 May 1996)
‘Middle Man’ (written by David Patillo)
‘Share My Love’ (written by Blake Vickers and LeAnn Rimes)
‘Yesterday’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘I Will Always Love You’ (written by Dolly Parton)
Personnel involved in the recording of LeAnn Rimes’ ‘All That’ (Nor Va Jak Records, 1994) included the following:
Bob Smith (bass guitar)
Brad Billingsley (drums)
Check Rippey (fiddle)
Crista Carnes, Kayla Powell and Lisa Criss (background vocals)
Greg Walker (assistant producer)
Johnny Mulhair (acoustic guitar, engineer, electric guitar, mandolin, producer, steel guitar)
LeAnn Rimes (lead vocals)
Paul Goad (piano, bass guitar, keyboards)
Ray Carl (harmonica)
Whitney Mulhair (flute)
Wilbur C. Rimes (producer)
Johnny Mulhair was also the acclaimed co-producer of one of the biggest hit albums in the history of country music, LeAnn Rimes’ debut album, ‘Blue’ (Curb Records, 1996), which featured her first hit single, ‘Blue’, which was written by Bill Mack (Saturday 4 June 1932 – Friday 31 July 2020); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Johnny Mulhair also co-produced a number of other tracks on LeAnn Rimes’ debut album ‘Blue’ (Curb Records, 1996), including the following:
‘The Light In Your Eyes’ (written by Dan Tyler) (No.10, 1997) / this track was LeAnn Rimes’ her first hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart
‘I’ll Get Even With You’ (written by Coweta House)
‘Cattle Call’, which was written by Tex Owens (15 June 1892 – Sunday 9 September 1962) / this track was a duet with Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008)
‘Fade To Blue’ (written by Jim Allison, Anne Reeves and Lang Scott)
In 1997, Johnny Mulhair was noted as one of the Top 10 guitarists in Nashville’s ‘Music Row’ magazine, and has been amazing fans with his talents for years.
Jill Mulhair, is a top-notch vocalist, who is often compared to Emmylou Harris. Jill Mulhair offers both strong lead and harmony vocals to the band, and keeps a strong steady rhythm on bass.
Will Banister has also been nominated for ‘Male Vocalist of The Year’ at The Grapevine Opry in Grapevine, Texas and is fast becoming a regular performer at a vast number of venues, including Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas and Lincoln County Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and plays with The Mulberry Band.
In addition to these great honors, Will Banister has performed at the world renowned ‘International Festival of Country Music’, which was hosted at Wembley Arena in London, where such country music megastars as Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014) have graced the stage.
Together, Will Banister & The Mulberry Band have quickly become one of the most sought after bands.
Between Friday 15 March 2013 and Monday 18 March 2013, Will Banister, along with Brent Allen, made a very welcome appearance at Butlins at New Lydd Road in Camber Sands, Sussex, England.
On Wednesday 2 November 2016, Will Banister saw the release of ‘What A Way To Live’ (Cloviste Records, 2016), which included the following tracks:
‘Shreveport’
‘What A Way To Live’
‘Lucky Man’
‘Good Morning, Helen’
‘Too Far Gone’
‘Better Than Me’
‘Some Kind of Something’
‘If I Thought I Could Stop You From Leaving’
‘Helping Hand’
‘I Don’t Know What To Write’
‘What A Way To Live’ (Reprise)
On Monday 17 September 2018, Rollercoaster Records (Rock House, London Road, St Marys, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 8PU, England) released Will Banister’s ‘Coverin’ Tracks: Early Recordings / Wembley Live’ (Rollercoaster Records, 2018), which included the following tracks:
‘The Race Is On’ (written by Don Rollins)
‘Is Anybody Going To San Antone’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘Miami, My Amy’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Dean Dillon and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Saturday 2 June 2018)
‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (& Loud, Loud Music)’, which was written by Joe Maphis (Thursday 12 May 1921 – Friday 27 June 1986), Rose Lee Maphis (Friday 29 December 1922 – Tuesday 26 October 2021) and Max Fidler
‘Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues’ (written by Danny O’Keefe)
‘Milk Cow Blues’, which was written by James ‘Kokomo’ Arnold (15 February 1896 or 1901 – Friday 8 November 1968)
‘Teach Me To Forget’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Before The Next Teardrop Falls’, which was written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Bandy The Rodeo Clown’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘The Seashores of Old Mexico’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me On’ (written by Kostas Lazarides and Wayland Patton)
Bonus Tracks
‘Turned Her On To Country’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘Give Me One Minute’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘Lovesick Blues’, which was written by Cliff Friend (1 October 1893 – Thursday 27 June 1974) and Irving Mills (16 January 1894 – Sunday 21 April 1985) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘White Lightning’, which was written by J.P. ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson (Friday 24 October 1930 – Tuesday 3 February 1959) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘You Remind Me’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘I’ve Never Been Any Other Way’ / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
‘Turn Me Loose’ / this track was recorded ‘live’ at International Festival of Country Music, Wembley Arena, North London, England on Sunday 26 February 2012
Will Banister’s ‘Coverin’ Tracks: Early Recordings / Wembley Live’ (Rollercoaster Records, 2018) was released to coincide with Will Banister’s tour of the United Kingdom, which took place during September 2018.
On Saturday 29 August 2020, Will Banister saw the release of ‘Everything Burns’ (Cloviste Records, 2020), which included the following tracks:
‘Ain’t That The Truth’ (written by Will Banister, Roger Springer and Wyatt McCubbin) / this track reached No.38 on the Texas Country Music Chart in 2020 / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘Burning It Up Again’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister, Johnny Mulhair and Paul Goad
‘Be Here Now’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘Everything Burns’ (written by Will Banister, Roger Springer and Kim Marlow) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘Easy To Love’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘It Happened Just Like That’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘2 Steps & A Waltz Away’ (written by Will Banister, Johnny Mulhair, Kent Maxson and Randy Finchum) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘A Woman I Can’t Live Without’ (written by Roger Springer and Robert Arthur) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘Just Ain’t Working’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘It’s Just A Heartache’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
‘Get To Heaven’ (written by Will Banister) / this track was produced by Will Banister and Johnny Mulhair
On Friday 17 September 2021, Clint Eastwood’s film, ‘Cry Macho’, was released in American film theatres, as well as on HBO Max; Will Banister performed the opening song, ‘Find A New Home’, which was written by Grammy-award winner, Mark Mancina.
• Visit Will Banister’s official site at willbanister.com