Country music. That’s the first thing you need to know about Will Banister. From the state of New Mexico, raised about 20 miles from the Texas line, Will grew up with the sounds of Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, George Strait, and Brooks and Dunn blaring through the speakers of his dad’s pickup.
This music made a huge impact in shaping the sound of Will Banister’s songs. The lyrics along with the fiddle and steel in Will’s music will have you reminiscing about the days of country radio in the 1990’s, while still sounding fresh with today’s sound.
Will has performed all over the Southwest, in states such New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, in addition to multiple tours in the U.K. and Europe. His latest album “Everything Burns” consists of 11 songs, 10 of which were either written or co-written by Banister, received a 5 star review, and was announced as album of the month in the March edition of the U.K. publication Country Music People Magazine.
His single "Ain't That The Truth" reached #38 on the Texas Country Music Chart. On September 17th, 2021, Clint Eastwood's film "Cry Macho" was released to theaters as well as on HBO Max, in which Will performed the opening song entitled "Find A New Home". Find A New Home was written by Grammy award winner Mark Mancina.
Alan Mercer: Will, have you been in Portales, New Mexico your whole life?
Will Banister: I have. I was born and raised there.
AM: Do you want to live there forever?
WB: Yes, I do. I love it there. It’s a great place to raise kids and I’ve got four of them.
AM: How long have you been married?
WB: I’ve been married 11 years. I always wanted a big family, but four is enough now. I came from a big family. There are Banisters all over the place. My Grandpa Banister was one of 14. There are Banisters scattered out all over the place back home. I’m always running into kinfolk I’ve never met before.
AM: I have to ask about your experience recording the song, “Cry Macho’ from the Clint Eastwood movie, ‘Cry Macho.’
WB: Of course, that wasn’t a song I wrote. That song was written for that movie and I was lucky enough to get the call to record it.
AM: How did you get that amazing career break?
WB: I was sitting in my music room, and I got a phone call from these producers. They told me they were making a little movie and that they were looking for a Merle Haggard type voice and my name was recommended, and they wanted to know if I was interested. I said yes. I’ve never done that before. I was thinking it was a little independent film. They sent me the track with the lyrics, and I recorded my vocal there at the house.
AM: That is amazing!
WB: The producers told me they loved it but they had to make sure the director loved it. So, it took a couple months, and I got another phone call and they told me they did love it. Then they told me not to tell anyone yet, but the director is Clint Eastwood. I about fell out of my chair. I’m a huge Eastwood fan. They initially were going to fly me out to California to record it but they decided to go with what I recorded in my home. They did add a second verse later and I did record that.
AM: So, did you get to go to California?
WB: I did go out there. I recorded it in January of 2021, so I had to keep it under wrap for a long time, which was tough, because I was pretty excited. A week or two before the movie opened, they flew us out there, me and my band and our wives and we got to perform for Clint Eastwood.
AM: That sounds like a dream come true.
WB: It really was. I never thought I’d ever get to do something like that.
AM: Did you notice an upswing in your career from recording that song?
WB: I did notice. I was not familiar with the app Shazam, and I found out there is a chart based on that and I got to number 2 on that app. My phone started ringing off the hook with lots of interesting offers.
AM: So that song is getting you booked more than before?
WB: Oh, it is, absolutely and it is so great.
AM: That song was made for you, even if you didn’t write it.
WB: It’s a great song that I love.
AM: I can’t believe you recorded it in your own home.
WB: I went in and cut it and sent it to them and they asked me to re-record it with a little different phrasing to be a little more storyteller style. So, I took another approach to it and that’s what wound up on the record.
AM: Your fourth album, ‘Everything Burns’ is so exceptional. I have all of them. You look like you are about 10 years old on your first record.
WB: I sound like I’m ten years old on that one. I was writing those songs when I was 17, 18 and 19 so I hope I’ve grown as a songwriter. When I listen to it now, I sound so young. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of all that stuff and it’s all been a thrill.
AM: Do you spend some time in Nashville?
WB: I do write with some guys out there in Nashville, some. I’ve written a lot with Roger Springer, who has been a huge mentor to me over the last 4 years. He wrote a lot of Mark Chesnutt songs like ‘"I Might Even Quit Lovin' You’ and ‘It's a Little Too Late.’ So, I’ve been going out there quite a bit and cutting some demos.
AM: Are you thinking about recording another album?
WB: I’ve got some things in the works that I’m hoping will turn into another full-length album. There is a possibility that I will put out some singles while I’m working on the album. I can’t quite put out another full-length album yet. It’s the way the music business works. I’ve got a lot of things going on, it’s all good.
AM: Who are some of the singers who have influenced you other than the great Merle Haggard?
WB: Merle and Hank Williams Sr. are the two biggest influences. My dad had so many Hank Williams records so I sang all that old stuff. I like Charlie Pride, Gene Watson, Marty Robbins, George Jones and George Strait. Keith Whitley is a big influence too.
AM: You must be touring all summer. Do you ever take your family with you?
WB: Every once in a while. We went to Florida last April. We flew the band out and my wife and kids. We did the whole Disney World deal. We went to the beach and did it all and had a great time. My wife is a teacher so it’s hard to get away during the school year. They don’t get to come as much as I’d like, but hopefully one of these days that will change.
AM: Are any of your children musically inclined?
WB: Yes, and they all seem to love music. My oldest sings around the house and she wants to be a singer. Recently my oldest son asked me if I could invite everybody over so he can sing three songs. Two of them were Elvis songs. I’m a big Elvis fan too. I got my guitar out and he started singing ‘Return To Sender’ and he knew all the words. His pitch was great, and my oldest daughter has good pitch too. It’s an exciting and tough business.
AM: Was anybody else in your family musically inclined?
WB: My dad and my mom are both singers. They didn’t ever do it out and about, but they did sing riding around in a pickup. They both have great voices.
AM: That must be where you got your voice from?
WB: I grew up around it. We are all music lovers.
AM: Will, you have a very specific and distinct voice that sets you apart from some of your contemporaries.
WB: Well, thank you. I love what I do. It’s my passion and I appreciate you saying that.
